Reader Reviews — General
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— Review of From This Fertile Valley |
by Dottie Gough (Semi-retired, former director, State of Florida Department of Education)
“Martha Perritti's third book From This Fertile Valley was as fascinating as her first two books Crossing in the Rain and Standing Against the Wind. Her attention to detail is impressive. It's obvious that a great deal of time was spent in researching the scenes and places in the book.
From this Fertile Valley is written in such a way that the reader feels as though she is living the story with Martha because of the in depth description of the places where Martha and her family lived and her honesty in telling the positive and negative things about her life. It was hard to put down because you wanted to see what happened next.
The pictures added a great deal as did the Points of Interest and Facts included in many of the chapters. They put the time period of the chapter in perspective and gave the reader some interesting history as well. If I were to rate this book on a scale of one to five, it would receive a resounding five. Martha is a great storyteller and her talent is solidified with this her third book. I will be anxious to see what topic Martha comes up with next!”
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— A legacy of faith, hope and truth |
by Anna Di Bella, Award Winning Poet and Recent Past President of the National League of American Pen Women
“Standing against the Wind tells a warm story of emotional suffering and strength and gives a heartfelt, historical account of the Cherokee nation from a personal view. I am grateful to have a copy of Standing against the Wind in my library. It is a classic.”
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1. (5 stars) A warm, personal journey |
by James W. Mosteller, Computer Scientist, US Navy
“We are privileged to share the author's trail of discovery as she explores her mother's family down generations across the South. Her heritage of strong, loving family ties comes alive through the brave and resolute women living through the tapestry of American history. Their successes are realized in the cycles of families constantly adapting to the harsh winds of change, and triumphing. At turns cheerful, loving, and poignant, this saga brings to vivid life the disturbing history of the Cherokee nation amid encroaching European settlers, and one family thread running through it. This deeply personal, true story is grounded primarily in the power of love: both among those in earlier generations, and as felt by the author for her family and its history.”
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2. (4 stars) Martha Lou Perritti has another success! |
by Dottie Gough, Director, State of Florida Department of Education
“Standing Against the Wind is a riveting story about three Cherokee women who face danger and mistreatment in the land of their ancestors. But, in spite of their trials and tribulations, they are cherished by their husbands and greatly loved by their children. As they raise their children in the "white man's world", they never forget their roots and work diligently beside their husbands to forge the way for their grandchildren. There is sadness in the book as the families are forced to leave their homes more than once, but through it all, the three Cherokee women and their families form a bond that can't be broken.
Martha Lou Perritti's extensive research is impressive as she writes about the long march west and the treatment of the Indians by the white man. Her description of the Civil War in Mobile is so well done that the reader feels she is on the scene living side by side with the brave soldiers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Martha Lou Perritti's first book, Crossing in the Rain, but Standing Against the Wind was spellbinding and kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.”
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3. (five stars) Finally---A Cherokee tale that's historically accurate |
Dr. Phil Buchanan, Lecturer, Traditional Cherokee Culture
“This is a gripping story by and about Cherokee women written in accurate historical context. It's powerful writing rich in the details of Cherokee life in post-Columbus America. A heart-stirring, beautifully written story. Prepare to be fascinated and sometimes pained.”