One of the best books I have read! . Lecoat develops the characters so that one would feel they have known them for a very long time. The story is heartbreaking, hopeful, sad, joyful, and intriguing. The fact that it is written on historical non fiction characters keeps the reader interested. To think that our ancestors went through this, gave me a feeling of admiration for the people of that time. I couldn't put it down and was sad when it was over. I felt that I was losing touch with some of my best friends!