"As transfixing and meditative as a stained glass window. It's the story of a maiden and a holy empire, of men who fight with rapiers and priests who fight with words, of a city that became a pawn in a real-life game of thrones--one that struck an unforgettable wound in the conscience of Europe." -- Peco Gaskovski , Author, Exogenesis: A Novel "With the stab-thrust urgency of a knife blade to the gut, Gertrud von le Fort shows how Germany tore itself apart in the Thirty Years' War, a horror ignited by the refusal of political rivals to recognize their shared human worth under God's loving gaze. She published this story in 1938, a last-minute attempt to warn her nation against the destructive militarism of the Third Reich. But there's much wisdom here for our twenty-first century--and many hard truths for Christian readers to ponder today." -- David Pinault, Author, Providence Blue: A Fantasy Quest "Historians have struggled to give an account of the Thirty Years' War, this tangled, fratricidal, barbaric conflict that claimed the lives of some eight million Europeans in the seventeenth century. Its impact on the continent continues to this day. Better than any historian, Catholic storyteller Gertrud von Le Fort brings her unique genius for laying bare the human heart in making sense of and finding redemption amid the horror of human suffering.
She stands with Gironella and Manzoni in this regard--and ahead of Dickens!" -- Christopher Check , President, Catholic Answers "A captivating novel that intertwines historical events with deep Catholic spirituality. The story is filled with rich imagery and a focus on the sacramental aspects of faith, exploring suffering, redemption, and the Church as the Bride of Christ. Le Fort's writing offers a thoughtful reflection on humility, unity, and divine love, making this novel valuable for those interested in spiritual growth." -- Kris McGregor , Founder, Discerning Hearts podcast network.