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The Tenth Trail Mark - Large Print Edition
This is the story of the men who climbed.
In the dead of night, Johnnie Grey leads the legendary 10th Mountain Division up an ice cliff the Germans call unconquerable. One slip means oblivion. One victory could liberate Italy.
Johnnie’s survival instincts—honed in the Adirondack wilderness, hunting through blizzards and the Great Depression to feed his family—are his greatest weapon. But his heart belongs to Ellie, the West Virginia farm girl who slips a silver St. Andrew’s Cross around his neck: a trail mark of love meant to guide him home.
Inspired by true events, The Tenth Trail Mark is a sweeping novel of courage, sacrifice, and a love strong enough to light even the darkest ascent.
Praise for The Tenth Trail Mark
“A sweeping historical novel… the prose balances rugged realism with lyrical detail... the ending is intense and resonant.” —Foreword Clarion Reviews
“This deeply researched and beautifully written book shows how an Adirondack boy… becomes an expert and courageous mountain soldier… A must-read for historical fiction lovers.” —Elizabeth, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“More than just a war story; it’s a deeply moving tribute to the human spirit… This isn’t just a book you read; it’s one you feel.” —ADK 46, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
In the dead of night, Johnnie Grey leads the legendary 10th Mountain Division up an ice cliff the Germans call unconquerable. One slip means oblivion. One victory could liberate Italy.
Johnnie’s survival instincts—honed in the Adirondack wilderness, hunting through blizzards and the Great Depression to feed his family—are his greatest weapon. But his heart belongs to Ellie, the West Virginia farm girl who slips a silver St. Andrew’s Cross around his neck: a trail mark of love meant to guide him home.
Inspired by true events, The Tenth Trail Mark is a sweeping novel of courage, sacrifice, and a love strong enough to light even the darkest ascent.
Praise for The Tenth Trail Mark
“A sweeping historical novel… the prose balances rugged realism with lyrical detail... the ending is intense and resonant.” —Foreword Clarion Reviews
“This deeply researched and beautifully written book shows how an Adirondack boy… becomes an expert and courageous mountain soldier… A must-read for historical fiction lovers.” —Elizabeth, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
“More than just a war story; it’s a deeply moving tribute to the human spirit… This isn’t just a book you read; it’s one you feel.” —ADK 46, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
612 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2025
398 people are currently reading
6827 people want to read
About the author
Joe Looby
3 books30 followers"The Tenth Series are works of historical fiction originally inspired by the real events of the battles at Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere. My father served with the 10th Mountain Division during that campaign. He fought in those mountains and was wounded in battle. His courage—and the courage of the men he served alongside—is something I carry with me. Writing these stories is my way of honoring not just their bravery but the human experience behind the history: the fear, the grit, the humor, the heartbreak, and the extraordinary strength of ordinary men."— Joe Looby
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 5, 2025
Learned a lot from the Italian theater during the later years of World War 2.
September 11, 2025
The Tenth Trail Mark is an engaging World War 2 story about the coming-of-age story of Johnnie Grey, who went from rags to legend status. I absolutely loved the first few chapters about the gritty 11-year-old Johnnie and his courageous ways of hunting and feeding his impoverished family. A son of a deceased soldier, he inherited his father's never-say-die attitude and improvised his way to make ends meet.
I also loved the stories of camaraderie and companionship between him and Edgar Darby, a kid with similar courage and daredevilry despite coming from a privileged background. Together, they were the Tom Sawyers and Huckleberry Fins who lived a life of adventure, honing their inherent talents and one day leading their country into WW2 glory. Their Norwegian-American world ski champion and life mentor, Rolf Monsen, also has an endearing role in the book, so do Johnnie's first army mates Mineo, Hogan, and Luby - "The Snow Angels".
This is not just a book about war. It is also about the great outdoors—the mountain tops, the streams, the woods, the pine trees, skiing, camping, watching the sky, chopping wood, aloneness, and enjoying nature's bounty.
This book perfectly fits in with my favorite genres, so I am grateful and lucky to have discovered it. Despite this being Joe Looby's first book, he amazes the reader with his brilliant writing, not once sounding like a dull nonfiction third-person account. The characters and the plot come alive, and each page is memorable and captivating.
They spoke a vibrant tapestry of guttural German, lilting French, clipped English, melodic Italian, sharp Japanese, and resonant Norwegian, each tongue a foreign melody that added to the bewildering spectacle.
To find out more about this WW2 event, I looked up the internet for references, and luckily found the very recently published article, just 6 days ago to be precise, in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise online newspaper that talked about the very same topic. I feel readers of the book will find this additional reading quite immersive and awe-inspiring, like I did. Click the image below to jump to that page:
I loved Johnnie's squirrel hunting parts so much that I had my teen son read those chapters, and he loved them too. I hope the author gets to read my review and accept compliments from both of us. I look forward to the next exciting book by Joe Looby, and I know he has tons of book ideas in his mind. I would be thrilled to have my son (re)discover MANY of his bestselling books when he is an adult and reminisce about the time he and his father relished and enjoyed the same story years before.
I also loved the stories of camaraderie and companionship between him and Edgar Darby, a kid with similar courage and daredevilry despite coming from a privileged background. Together, they were the Tom Sawyers and Huckleberry Fins who lived a life of adventure, honing their inherent talents and one day leading their country into WW2 glory. Their Norwegian-American world ski champion and life mentor, Rolf Monsen, also has an endearing role in the book, so do Johnnie's first army mates Mineo, Hogan, and Luby - "The Snow Angels".
This is not just a book about war. It is also about the great outdoors—the mountain tops, the streams, the woods, the pine trees, skiing, camping, watching the sky, chopping wood, aloneness, and enjoying nature's bounty.
This book perfectly fits in with my favorite genres, so I am grateful and lucky to have discovered it. Despite this being Joe Looby's first book, he amazes the reader with his brilliant writing, not once sounding like a dull nonfiction third-person account. The characters and the plot come alive, and each page is memorable and captivating.
They spoke a vibrant tapestry of guttural German, lilting French, clipped English, melodic Italian, sharp Japanese, and resonant Norwegian, each tongue a foreign melody that added to the bewildering spectacle.
To find out more about this WW2 event, I looked up the internet for references, and luckily found the very recently published article, just 6 days ago to be precise, in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise online newspaper that talked about the very same topic. I feel readers of the book will find this additional reading quite immersive and awe-inspiring, like I did. Click the image below to jump to that page:
I loved Johnnie's squirrel hunting parts so much that I had my teen son read those chapters, and he loved them too. I hope the author gets to read my review and accept compliments from both of us. I look forward to the next exciting book by Joe Looby, and I know he has tons of book ideas in his mind. I would be thrilled to have my son (re)discover MANY of his bestselling books when he is an adult and reminisce about the time he and his father relished and enjoyed the same story years before.
July 20, 2025
Very well written. Captures one’s youth and how early events develops one’s instincts and drives for dealing with later challenges. Also captures the horrors of war and how one’s instincts surmounts insurmountable obstacles. Jim Looby, father of author, in whose honor the book was written, would be proud.
July 21, 2025
This was one of the BEST books I have read all summer. The detail od the Adirondacks was exceptional and as an Adirondack native I will attest to that. The plot was great and the I found the characters to be wonderful. The details concerning the military campaign was totally acurate and focused on the Tenth Mountain Divisions role in WW II. An excellent read that I could not put down.
August 3, 2025
"Meet you at the top"
This book filled in my knowledge gaps of the 10th Mountain Division! We as a free people owe a tremendous debt to the veterans who survived and a respectful thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
This book filled in my knowledge gaps of the 10th Mountain Division! We as a free people owe a tremendous debt to the veterans who survived and a respectful thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
July 13, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Reading about the courage displayed by the young men of the 10th Mountain Division was awe-inspiring. I loved this story of friendship, strength, and courage. It is the type of book that stays with you after you finish reading.
July 31, 2025
Great story of WW2 in Italy
Personal story of the Mountain Division who were trained to battle in the mountains. The author did a great job of telling it from a boy who grew up in the mountains and became part of this special unit of the US Army.
Personal story of the Mountain Division who were trained to battle in the mountains. The author did a great job of telling it from a boy who grew up in the mountains and became part of this special unit of the US Army.
July 6, 2025
Great read
Personalizing the birth of the 10th really brought things to life for me. As a young jrotc cadet in NY in the mid 70s, we frequently visited Drum and met the mountaineers. Learning the history of this storied division here has brought me full circle.
Personalizing the birth of the 10th really brought things to life for me. As a young jrotc cadet in NY in the mid 70s, we frequently visited Drum and met the mountaineers. Learning the history of this storied division here has brought me full circle.
August 5, 2025
If you love historical fiction this is the book for you. Lovely story by this author honoring his family member. Learned about a team that helped win the war that I had never heard before.
July 5, 2025
Great Book
This a great book and easy to read. It will keep you wondering what is going to happen on the next page.
This a great book and easy to read. It will keep you wondering what is going to happen on the next page.
July 1, 2025
Amazing! Simply amazing!
September 20, 2025
outstanding!!
The author does an amazing job of keeping the reader spellbound & on the edge of their seat. Very rarely does an author compel me to start & subsequently finish a novel in one sitting but this one did! Well done Mister Looby, well done.
The author does an amazing job of keeping the reader spellbound & on the edge of their seat. Very rarely does an author compel me to start & subsequently finish a novel in one sitting but this one did! Well done Mister Looby, well done.
October 3, 2025
Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
The Adirondacks are a mountain range that held back the early settlers in most areas of the east coast of the United States. Johnnie Grey was born in the summer of 1923 and hunts every day for game to help his family.
Prior to the United States entering the Second World War, the former site of the 1932 Olympics near Lake Placid, New York, was the playground of Johnnie and his new best friend Darby. Together they learned the art of skiing and mountaineering. Johnnie became a member of the Ski Patrol as an extension of his mountain upbringing.
Germany began to make demands of the countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. At 45 degrees below zero, the fuels in the transports and tanks froze and the military was stalled.
The 10th Mountain Division was formed utilizing ski patrollers who could function in the cruel winter conditions of the cold New York winters of Lake Placid. In September of 1942, Johnnie Grey was one of 10,000 to 14,000 men who volunteered for this specialized training. Training was in the Colorado Rockies. Elevation was very high and winter brutal.
The 10th Mountain Division was instrumental in winning the war in Europe. This book is an excellent review of the hardships faced and overcome by a very special group of American soldiers. 5 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.
The Adirondacks are a mountain range that held back the early settlers in most areas of the east coast of the United States. Johnnie Grey was born in the summer of 1923 and hunts every day for game to help his family.
Prior to the United States entering the Second World War, the former site of the 1932 Olympics near Lake Placid, New York, was the playground of Johnnie and his new best friend Darby. Together they learned the art of skiing and mountaineering. Johnnie became a member of the Ski Patrol as an extension of his mountain upbringing.
Germany began to make demands of the countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. At 45 degrees below zero, the fuels in the transports and tanks froze and the military was stalled.
The 10th Mountain Division was formed utilizing ski patrollers who could function in the cruel winter conditions of the cold New York winters of Lake Placid. In September of 1942, Johnnie Grey was one of 10,000 to 14,000 men who volunteered for this specialized training. Training was in the Colorado Rockies. Elevation was very high and winter brutal.
The 10th Mountain Division was instrumental in winning the war in Europe. This book is an excellent review of the hardships faced and overcome by a very special group of American soldiers. 5 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.
October 8, 2025
I had heard of the 10th Mountain Division & had a vague notion that they did something incredible. In the mountains. I am so glad to know so much more of their accomplishment.
This book is a brilliantly crafted piece of historical fiction. It seems simple. The chapters are very short, but they convey exactly what we need to know. We meet the character as a boy in rural Lake Placid & follow along as he matures, experiencing the events that teach him vital skills as well as the people who influence him.
The intro says all characters are fictional, but real-life Olympic skier, Rolf Monsen gives him a piece of advice that appears many times in the book.
I loved the impromptu snowball fight between the locals & the Olympic athletes. It’s entertaining but brilliantly foreshadows his future.
I compared reading this book to Desert Storm. We all knew the big fight was coming as every day the news filled us in on the preparations ahead of it. We know Johnnie is going to be in the big 10th mountain fight & much of the book is character development preparing him for it.
I do have one complaint. There are only 2 girls in this story. Did they have to be named Ellie and Allie?
Thank you so much for gifting me this book in the Goodreads Giveaway. It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time.
This book is a brilliantly crafted piece of historical fiction. It seems simple. The chapters are very short, but they convey exactly what we need to know. We meet the character as a boy in rural Lake Placid & follow along as he matures, experiencing the events that teach him vital skills as well as the people who influence him.
The intro says all characters are fictional, but real-life Olympic skier, Rolf Monsen gives him a piece of advice that appears many times in the book.
I loved the impromptu snowball fight between the locals & the Olympic athletes. It’s entertaining but brilliantly foreshadows his future.
I compared reading this book to Desert Storm. We all knew the big fight was coming as every day the news filled us in on the preparations ahead of it. We know Johnnie is going to be in the big 10th mountain fight & much of the book is character development preparing him for it.
I do have one complaint. There are only 2 girls in this story. Did they have to be named Ellie and Allie?
Thank you so much for gifting me this book in the Goodreads Giveaway. It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time.
August 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. As a student of history, I consider myself fairly well informed about The Greatest Generation and the terrible war they fought from 1941 through 1945. I sincerely believe they saved the world.
But this story highlights a violent struggle we rarely hear about when discussing WWII. The Italian campaign and what it contributed to ending the war in Europe. We cannot allow ourselves or our children to forget about the huge sacrifices made and the lessons learned from this horrific conflagration. We cannot afford to repeat such an obscenity in the future.
I encourage everyone to read this touching story and learn a little more about the forgotten history of the heroes who helped to save the world from evil.
But this story highlights a violent struggle we rarely hear about when discussing WWII. The Italian campaign and what it contributed to ending the war in Europe. We cannot allow ourselves or our children to forget about the huge sacrifices made and the lessons learned from this horrific conflagration. We cannot afford to repeat such an obscenity in the future.
I encourage everyone to read this touching story and learn a little more about the forgotten history of the heroes who helped to save the world from evil.
November 11, 2025
A highly interesting novel on a historical level. Grey has a very impressive talent whether on his own mountains or during the war. He is a fictional character but based on the people who fought in the Appinnes. Grey's character in the novel is a bit too romanticised , a bit too perfect. This might be due to the shortness of the book. The quality of the story lies more in the events than the plot itself, in my opinion.The author gives an accurate account of what happened during the fights mentioning what characters were real.
Short but a worthwhile read!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
Short but a worthwhile read!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
October 9, 2025
This is an incredible story about the strength of resilience both physical and mental. Johnnie has grit like you've never seen and this story will reach out and grab you from the moment the story opens with General Hays and his incredible ride through a storm of fire and steel, while mountain boys become Men and true heroes, scaling the unscalable sheer rock faces and forging new paths like No Man ever has. and then theres Ellie. The brightest Trail Mark of all. Riveting and moving. See you at the Top!
October 9, 2025
This book is historical fiction but, it’s a story about the authors father and his experience’s during and before WWII. I have always been interested in the 10th Mountain Division because as a longtime Colorado resident I have been skiing in the area where they trained. This story is about family and soldiers during the depression and WWII. It is well written and I highly recommend it for readers that want to more about this special mountain division of soldiers during WWII.
November 13, 2025
A powerful read
This is a well written tale of ordinary men who did extraordinary things against impossible odds. The writing does not glorify their deeds but acknowledges them as necessary to defeat evil. We need more of this in the days ahead but I am unsure if the youth of today still have the grit determination and honesty of these men and boys who fought to preserve honesty and freedom.
This is a well written tale of ordinary men who did extraordinary things against impossible odds. The writing does not glorify their deeds but acknowledges them as necessary to defeat evil. We need more of this in the days ahead but I am unsure if the youth of today still have the grit determination and honesty of these men and boys who fought to preserve honesty and freedom.
November 15, 2025
I absolutely loved reading this with much details about life adventures prior to serving his country & ultimately in a war. Great follow through with characters, storylines, plenty of excitement to keep me reading till 3:00 am to finish it!
Loved learning it was about your own father’s experiences! I am going to read your other book now.
Thank you for writing this for others to enjoy. Keep writing!!
DeeAnn
Loved learning it was about your own father’s experiences! I am going to read your other book now.
Thank you for writing this for others to enjoy. Keep writing!!
DeeAnn
November 17, 2025
A story of the men and women who fought and died for freedom
One of the most powerful novels I have ever read about war and the people who fought it or were affected by it in so many ways. The trail from youth to adulthood is captured in how lives can be changed in an instant by the paths we take. The power of this prose will last a lifetime.
One of the most powerful novels I have ever read about war and the people who fought it or were affected by it in so many ways. The trail from youth to adulthood is captured in how lives can be changed in an instant by the paths we take. The power of this prose will last a lifetime.
December 16, 2025
good read.
A really good read.I haven’t given a written review in ages, I felt I must give this book a deserved good review. I really liked the beginning,a very young Johnie ,with a catapult shooting squirrels to feed the family,living through the “ depression “, and he became a man a leader a hero. And meeting the love of his Ellie,whose love got him back to her. A good read.
A really good read.I haven’t given a written review in ages, I felt I must give this book a deserved good review. I really liked the beginning,a very young Johnie ,with a catapult shooting squirrels to feed the family,living through the “ depression “, and he became a man a leader a hero. And meeting the love of his Ellie,whose love got him back to her. A good read.
December 23, 2025
What a great way for the author to honor his father, tell a critical story, keep the reader engaged and let his descendants know their grandfather. I alternately had goose bumps in my arms or tears in my eyes as I read about the 10th Division. I even googled name places to see the lay of the land.
July 25, 2025
wonderful story
This story grabs you from the opening page and holds on tight! The courage and strength of one youth to rise above the plight the world had dealt him is shared in these pages. The main character challenges us to “see you at the top”.
This story grabs you from the opening page and holds on tight! The courage and strength of one youth to rise above the plight the world had dealt him is shared in these pages. The main character challenges us to “see you at the top”.
July 27, 2025
Interesting Historical Fiction
The timing of some events, particularly regarding the Olympics, seemed unreal to me. Still it provided an interesting glimpse into WW2 history, and the amazing men who outmaneuvered the Germans to liberate Italy and break through to the Alps.
The timing of some events, particularly regarding the Olympics, seemed unreal to me. Still it provided an interesting glimpse into WW2 history, and the amazing men who outmaneuvered the Germans to liberate Italy and break through to the Alps.
November 13, 2025
Riveting
Very detailed account of WWII in Italian Apenines and the sacrifices, both at home and abroad, the soldiers have to endure and the many ways their leaders have to come up. Hard to stop reading. Conrad Samayoa
Very detailed account of WWII in Italian Apenines and the sacrifices, both at home and abroad, the soldiers have to endure and the many ways their leaders have to come up. Hard to stop reading. Conrad Samayoa
July 10, 2025
Excellent Read
An excellent read. Easy to follow with great writing.
A story of determination strength friendship and love.
This was a two day read for me.
An excellent read. Easy to follow with great writing.
A story of determination strength friendship and love.
This was a two day read for me.
July 19, 2025
What a thrilling book! I could hardly put it down! It is almost unfathomable the courage and skill demonstrated by these heroes!
July 26, 2025
excellent book
This book really brought the history of the 10th mountain division to life through the story of 1 man. I plan to read more books by this author.
This book really brought the history of the 10th mountain division to life through the story of 1 man. I plan to read more books by this author.
August 9, 2025
Five stars. We need more stories like this- go Johnnie Grey, go- America is rooting for you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews