Russia Books

I would like to ask every person who read this book to help me find the german version of it. It would be very important for my father to have it. Maybe one of the readers knows where to find it. Thanks for your help...

This is a superb, well researched, highly organized, and very readable biography of an important Russian emperor. The author provides an indepth description and intelligent analysis of Nicholas' personality and character, the emperor's orientation to autocratic rule, Russian political, economic, social, and cultural history during his reign, and the importance of the political, economic, and social influences of Western European nations on Russia. Lincoln goes much beyond just presenting a chronology of events, by explaining why historical events happened as they did. The final epilogue nicely places the reign of Nicholas in the broader context of Russian history that preceded his reign and the events that would unfold subsequent to his time. My only slight criticism of the book is that maps were not included. Nevertheless, it is one of the best historical biographies I have ever read. Lincoln's larger worker, The Romanozs is equally terrific.

Nicholas I has always had a bad press in Russia as well as abroad. The Russians considered his regime to be harsh, riddled with contemptuous foreigners, in short 'un-Russian'. This image was created by exiles such as Herzen and Bakunin, and reinforced in communist times. In the West, Nicholas rigorous opposition to political novelties like constitutions and republics did little to improve his public relations. Lincoln sets out to make clear what made this remarkable man 'tick'. He does that by commencing his biography with the Decembrist revolution, which gave a clear indication of the new tsar's state of mind. Time and again, the two key elements of Nicholas' reign are called to mind: autocracy and legitimacy. Lincoln has produced a convincing, and very well-written, biography of Russia's most important tsar of the nineteenth century. I am uncertain whether this or Nicholas V. Riasanovsky's _Nicholas I and Official Nationality in Russia_ is the best biography of this man, but Lincolns extensive references appear to tip the scale in his favour.

For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, this is the real Nietzsche (who is the only philosopher worthy of the name since the pre-Socratics). At last he is rescued from the preposterous distortions of some of his English interpreters, primarily the egregious Hollingdale and the even worse Kaufmann.

The book consists largely of wholesale quotations from the man himself, on various themes. I have read enough of N. to know what he is really all about and have seen most of this before, and much more along the same lines as well, but seeing some of these statements laid out in a row like this makes the author's case crystal clear and nearly indisputable. What is astounding is that anyone could have ever taken him any other way. Sometimes the obvious is the most difficult thing to see.

The stuff about the esoteric aspect of the Nazis will also be of some value to those not familiar with the existing literature on the subject, but is almost incidental to the real content of this book, which is to give us the esoteric Nietzsche.

_Nietzsche, Prophet of Nazism: The Cult of the Superman: Unveiling the Nazi Secret Doctrine_ by Abir Taha is a rather strange book which attempts to argue that Friedrich Nietzsche, the philosopher of the Superman, was in fact a Nazi (or proto-Nazi). Contrary to previous criticism of Nietzsche in English such as that of Kaufman and Hollingdale, which has presented a softened version of Nietzsche arguing that he was not a Nazi and indeed that his philosophy was in fact perverted by the Nazis, the author of this book contends that these readings are superficial and fail to make several important distinctions which lead to the inevitable conclusion that Nietzsche was in fact a Nazi. This book regards Nazism as having two components, an exoteric component which focused specifically on German nationalism, biological Aryan racism, and anti-Semitism and an esoteric component which focused on elitism, a spiritual form of racism (a racism quite distinct from nationalism in actuality), and a spiritual anti-Semitism. The exoteric component was best exemplified by the S.A. and the esoteric component was best exemplified by the elite of the S.S. In addition, the esoteric component was linked closely with the occult. The author makes two important distinctions which have enabled her to show the superficiality of previous Nietzsche scholarship. The first of these is the distinction between racism and nationalism. While the Nazis were indeed "racial nationalists", it should be noted that they were racists first and this means an international ideology which focuses on the master race and not merely a nationalistic ideology. This can explain Nietzsche's many disparaging comments towards "the Germans", in that he was opposed to the weakness of the German nation but not the superiority of the Aryan race. Secondly, the author disguishes later in the book between two types of anti-Semitism. On the one hand there is the traditional Christian anti-Semitism (which Nietzsche disparages in his writings) and on the other there is the elitist aristocratic anti-Semitism (which Nietzsche advocates). This distinction again shows how Nietzsche's previous writings have been superficially interpreted. The author contends that there have been three possible interpretations of Nietzsche in the past. The first of these is that Nietzsche was indeed a Nazi (advocated by Alfred Bauemler, Nietzsche's sister, Elisabeth Foerster-Nietzsche, and Anthony Ludovici, as well as the Marxist scholar Georg Luckacs). The second is that Nietzsche was partly Nazi (advocated by Crane Brinton, Arthur Knight, and William Bluhm). The third is that Nietzsche was anti-Nazi (advocated by Walter Kaufman, George Morgan, the Marxist scholar H. Lefebvre, and Karl Jaspers). Those in the anti-Nazi camp claim that Nietzsche's anti-nationalism, his opposition to the Germans, his opposition to the anti-Semites, and his anti-statism make him contrary to the Nazis. However, as the author shows in this book, these understandings of Nietzsche are mistaken and based on a superficial understanding of Nazism (failing to recognize the distinction between the exoteric and esoteric Nazi doctrines).

The author begins this book by noting the role of the Superman (or Ubermensch) in Nietzsche's philosophy and bringing to light the revival of Aryan paganism. The advent of the Superman or "God-man" had long been hoped for across the myths of all traditional cultures, and this ideal was merely given form by Nietzsche's philosophy and later by the Nazis. The author notes the role of paganism in esoteric Nazism (emphasizing the writings of individuals such as Hitler, Himmler, and Rosenberg) as well as in the philosophy of Nietzsche. The goal of Nazism appears to have been the breeding of the Aryan "God-man" or Superman as advocated by Nietzschean philosophy. The author also notes the role of Greece in both Nazi belief and in Nietzschean philosophy, emphasizing for example the role of the titan Prometheus, believed to be the progenitor of the Aryan race. The author also discusses the Aryan myth and the role of Atlantis in the creation of that myth. The author also distinguishes between the Aryan Christ and the Judeo-Christian conception of Christ, as seen in both the philosophies of Nietzsche and Nazism. The author also notes the role of the dread eternal recurrence in Nietzschean philosophy. Next the author turns her attention to morality, and the role of Nietzsche as immoralist who sought to go beyond good and evil, and thus a progenitor of Nazism. The author notes the hatred of Nietzsche and the Nazis for the Judeo-Christian foundation of modern civilization. Both sought eagerly the death of God and his replacement by the Aryan Superman. As immoralist, Nietzsche sought to overcome all "slave morality" to adopt "master morality" by transvaluating all values. The same idea was carried out by the Nazis in the way they embraced radical evil. In addition, the author discusses Nietzsche's conception of the Will to Power, showing how this conception played out in the worship of the Will by the Nazis. The author next turns her attention to the aristocratic worldview, emphasizing Nietzsche's and the Nazi's elitism and hatred for the herd. The author shows both the hatred of Nietzsche and the Nazis for socialism, liberalism, and humanism, the values of the herd. The author shows how both Nietzsche and the Nazis advocated the extermination of the weak and unfit while at the same time advocating a system of eugenics to breed the Aryan Superman. This emphasis upon a cult of blood was to play out in the worst horrors of the Nazi Third Reich regime. Finally, the author turns her attention to Nietzsche's anti-Semitism, showing the distinction between Nietzsche's anti-Semitism in regarding the Jews as a race (the ultimate decadents) to be exterminated and earlier anti-Semitism which regarded the Jews as a religion. While Nietzsche attacked those weaker anti-Semites who came before him, as was seen by scholars such as Kaufman, he also advocated a more pronounced form of anti-Semitism which led to the creation of the Nazi state.

This book offers an interesting reading of Nietzsche's philosophy and an interpretation of it which is sure not to please many in academia. While I believe the author leaves out much, such as Nietzsche's break with Wagner or many of his personal letters, this book nevertheless provides an interesting take on Nietzsche's radical aristocratic philosophy. In any event, it offers a unique study of Nietzsche independently of many of his modern interpreters.

Friedrich Nietzsche is probably best known as the philosopher who "killed" God. However, Abir Taha offers a new vision of him, one that involves the Nazi occult thought, which she details in her groundbreaking new book, Nietzsche, Prophet of Nazism: The Cult of the Superman; Unveiling the Nazi Secret Doctrine.

"From times immemorial, humanity has dreamt of creating the perfect man, the `God-man' or `Superman'. Yet this cult was only clearly expressed in the philosophy of its modern prophet, Nietzsche, and culminated in its fiercest supporter, the National Socialist ideology, a political religion whose main ideal and objective were the creation of a superman species," Taha says.

Her book, Nietzsche, Prophet of Nazism, unveils what she calls "The Nazi Secret Doctrine" or "Esoteric Nazism." According to Taha, this doctrine is "purely Nietzschean in character." Through her book, she draws a clear distinction between the hidden Hitlerian thought, which was "aristocratic, supra-national, spiritual and universal," and the "exoteric, popular, vulgar version of Nazism," which was based on Pan-German nationalism, socialism and racism. Taha reveals the "spiritual pagan Aryanism" she found inherent in both doctrines.

By taking this stance, Taha has created a unique, intelligent and innovative portrayal of Nietzsche and the Nazis because the book shows both the real Nazi doctrine, which "goes beyond nationalism and biological racism," as well as Nietzsche's "hidden eugenicist, spiritual and universal Aryanism." Taha explains each in detail while establishing a clear, direct link between these two doctrines by analyzing Nazism in the light of Nietzsche's philosophy. From religious beliefs to views on power, morality and superiority, the book exposes the seams that Taha believes hold the two ideologies together in world history.

A unique portrayal of the link between one of the most controversial philosophers and one of the most enigmatic political groups in history, Nietzsche, Prophet of Nazism reveals the depths of the spiritual, racial and political dynamics of their philosophies and the impact they have had on the world.

For more information, visit the book's web site.

Olga Yunter was born in the summer of 1900 in a small trading outpost on the Siberian steppes. and ahd a happy childhood there, living a life experiencing the rich culture of the many nations that lived in the region.

But as millions of lives were lost in the bloody Russian Revolution of 1917, Olga and her family were caught up in her struggle to save the town from the marauding bloodthirsty Bolsheviks. Olga, with a price on her head for anti-Bolshevik activities was forced to flee Russia for northern China.

She lost her home three times- first to the Bolshevik takeover of Russia, then to the Japanese invasion of China during World War II, and finally to the brutal takeover of China in the late 1940s by the
Communists.
We learn of the life of her Olga from her childhood in Siberia, where she married an Englishman and lived through invasion and civil war. A rich and eventful life on four continents told told by compassion and passion by the heroine of this true story's granddaughter.
Interesting things we can glean from this book is that a large proportion of the Bolshevik forces during the Russian Civil War (1918-1920) were German and Austrian prisoners of war. The Bolsheviks were from the beginning a movement against the Russian people.
That the Bolsheviks were the first to use cattle cars to transport people to labour camps and forced exile, and that there were various different foreign communities in the northern Chinese town of Tientsin were Olga and her family lived for some years.

The story of a remarkable woman living through earth-shattering and bloody events, and about experiences with people from all different walks of life and the many different nations and traditions with which she came into contact.

I have never read a more compelling story. The author's grandmother Olga was a fascinating woman who led a remarkable life spanning three continents. Ms. Williams has woven the stories Olga told her over the years together with extensive research to create a vivid biography. It is filled with human drama and rich history -- much of it unfamiliar to Westerners. Lively, artful writing enhances this extraordinary book which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

The machinations of war and revolution come alive as the threads of one family's life are interwoven throughout the history of two World Wars, the Bolshevik Revolution and the rise of Communism.

This book was especially poignant for me: my grandmother too was born in Russia. White Russian or Red, ordinary people were capriciously affected by the power struggle. Coincidentally,I read the book while on a two week trip to Shanghai, China and walked along the Bund (where some of the old buildings still remain standing) imagining the countless people affected by the Japanese invasion and by Mao's rise to power. I've also visited Victoria in beautiful British Columbia, Canada where Olga temporarily took refuge.

This book has given me an understanding at how quickly events change. I pray that the free world will never again be overrun by those who wish to impose their views on society.

All of the Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers books are good. Tchaikovsky's is full of information AND the funniest cartoons! I read it before I read it to my daughter and I laughed out loud while learning at the same time. Moviemaniac

This book has made Tchaikovsky's music even more interesting to our family. The book was comprehended and enjoyed by my 5 and 8 year old daughters. Nice use of humor in the cartoons to lighten it up.

This is one in a wonderful series of books intended to introduce young readers to the lives of famous composers. Tchaikovsky was an interesting character, to say the least, and Venezia does a nice job of expressing that in an amusing way without losing respect for the composer. Venezia picks out events in Tchaikovsky's life that children can relate to and at the same time, see his unique way of dealing with life. As with all the books in this series, the best part are the illustrations. Cartoonlike and colorful; they are full of details and wonderfully amusing.

a great introduction and account.... a must if you're off to Irkutsk, Chita and Baikal...

A fascinating account of the aftermath of the Decembrist uprising in 1825 and the major role taken by Mariya Volkonskaya in creating a livable environment for the families of the exiled rebels. I was impressed by the way in which these aristocrats, led by Mariya and several other wives, adjusted to a harsh climate and inhumane treatment and managed to not only survive but to build their own effective little society. The book will also be of interest to those interested in womens' contributions to 19th century life.

An extraordinary, well researched book about the life of 24 year old Princess Maria Volkonsky nee Raevsky who followed her husband Prince Sergei Volkonsky who was banished by the Tsar after the Decembrist uprising into exile in Siberia. The Decembrists were a group of intellectual Russian Aristocrats who wanted to banish serfdom. It was called the 'First Russian Revolution' . I wonder what would have happened if it had succeeded? The second revolution would have not happened, I think? A fantastic book written with care.

The collaboration of Kama Ginkas and John Freedman, Provoking Theater: Kama Ginkas Directs is an extensive interview offering insights especially recommended for theater professionals and students, but open to all who have a keen interest in this evolving art form as reflected in the concerns and observations of the inspirational genius Kama ginkas -- one of Russia's most widely acclaimed theater directors working today. In lengthy and descriptive question-and-answer format, Kama Ginkas himself speaks of his roots in the Stanislavsky system, to inspiration gained from the cutting-edge work of Vsevolod Meyerhold, to difficulties of communication and the vulnerability of the actor on stage. Dramatic, inspirational, revealing, Provoking Theater is a uniquely presented insider's viewpoint and not to be missed by students and enthusiasts of contemporary theater.

I agree completely with the previous poster. The interview form is perfect for Ginkas and the spontaneous, paradoxical energy that makes this master director so compelling. Ginkas and his interviewer, John Freedman, clearly enjoy each other's company, and Ginkas is refreshingly playful, direct, and full of insights into the craft of theater in almost equal measure.

Freedman's role is clearly not that of bookish translator, rather that of clear-eyed devotee who is well-versed in the finer points of his subject. He has finessed that which cannot be expressed in words - the visceral power of Ginkas in person and in performance - into a series of thoughtful, self-effacing verbal gestures that lift you closer to the source without you even noticing. The result is far from an academic assessment, but is indeed like sitting down and having a coffee (or, even better, a glass of tea infused with Lithuanian liqueur) with an endlessly fascinating artist who lived through some of the most cataclysmic episodes of the 20th Century, and emerged triumphant.

There is a wealth of detail that illuminates Ginkas' artistic world. A personal favorite is Ginkas' description of his fascination with the Lithuanian wood sculptures that used to be displayed in small shrines next to virtually every landowner's house. Reading it brought back the image of a dying Ivanov climbing into the human-sized nook of a massive, gnarly tree trunk in Ginkas' staging of Chekhov's "Rothschild's Fiddle," and made it that much more poignant and overwhelming. This is just one of dozens of anecdotes that are quite simply amazing.

A fantastic, lively book. I sat down and read it straight through. I am a theatre director, and have read more than a thousand theatre books. This is one of the best I've seen. Uncompromising, alive, questioning, commanding. A new voice, a new way of making theatre, a new way of thinking.

I expect this book will have the same kind of impact on the theatre world that Grotowski's, Barba's, Brook's, Oida's, Suzuki's, and LePage's first books did. Ginkas is a vibrant, articulate presence. Freedman, a brilliantly perceptive American scholar of Russian theatre who lives in Moscow and is theatre critic for the Moscow Times, asks the perfect questions, then gets out of the way and lets Ginkas talk.

Good call.

It's like having coffee with Kama. He's right there, talking straight to you, arguing and laughing on the deepest and most present level. Theatre is a living force in him.

Russian theatre leads American theatre, on many fronts, and Ginkas's work is on the leading edge of Moscow theatre. From his white-on-white-with-dead-white-lighting set for K.I. from "Crime", to his field of peacock feathers gently waving, to his Kantoresque Macbeth wooden cart, you know you are in the hands of a master.

Ginkas was one of the few children to survive the holocaust of his Jewish ghetto in Lithuania, and this has marked his outlook and his work. It is a fantastic and eerie vibration, in this book, to feel Ginkas -- himself obviously incredibly vibrant and full of life -- expressing his outlooks and work in language and metaphor so drenched with death.

In the Biography chapter, Ginkas talks about his growing up in terms so natural that you can feel the ordinariness at the same time you can feel the horror.

Unable to work in theatre for many years, until perestroika helped dissolve the barriers, Ginkas kept his skills honed by thinking, analyzing, talking with his equally skillful director wife & other theatre practitioners, and rehearsing actors for other director's productions. Like Jiang, the painter who worked in China for almost 20 years under similarly repressive circumstances, painting each night and destroying the paintings each following morning, this pure distillation of practice has given a core of thoughtfulness to Ginkas.

He feels like a man who has earned his thoughts. They're not light.

And, it's wonderful to get to experience them in this rare and intimate form. Welcome, Kama Ginkas. Thank you, John Freedman.

I recommend you get two copies, one to keep & one to loan. Enjoy. You're in for a treat.

rachel

It's a must read for whoever whants to know the truth about "equality" and "justice" in all communist countries.

El Sr. Jones no sabe lo que estaba a punto de ocurrir en su granja pero continuaba con su patron de explotacion hasta el dia en que los animales se levantaron para hacer justicia y buscar la igualdad. La trama gira en torno a la manera en la que los animales producen y llevan a cabo esta revolucion. Este es un clasico el cual estuvo prohibido y censurado en muchos lugares. Hoy podemos disfrutar de esta excelente obra de George Orwell. En esta edicion encontrara un prologo nunca antes publicado escrito por el autor, el cual es analizado en su contexto. Excelente obra facil de leer, entretenida y con un potencial historico extraordinario.

Uno de los libros mas poderosos en la historia del mundo. Se trata de una granja donde los animales se revelan contra el granjero. Este libro ha sido proibido en los Estados Unidos, y sigue siendo proibido en partes de America Latina.

Despues de leer este libro, te acostaras en la esquinita de tu habitación en posición fetal mamandote el dedo y canturreando "El Ratoncito Miguel."

Si, soy un enfermo.

Stephen Zaloga is an expert on the Red Army, and a superb model-maker. He has extensively written on both topics, and produced TV programmes as well. Leland Ness is a defense expert and Pentagon advisor.

`The Red Army Handbook' is a very dry, but immensely informative and useful account of the organisational and technical development of the main arms of the Red Army from 1939 to 1945. It is clear that the authors have a superb grasp of the topic, and their writing style is fully appropriate to the matter - matter-of-fact. The narrative is not just covering the theoretical organisation, but also includes realistic issues, such as the manpower shortage in the Red Army towards the end of the war, and how it was being dealt with.

The book is divided into two sections, each divided into chapters. The first section deals with the organisational development, charting the evolution of organisational structure of Red Army formation types in great detail, using tables of organisation and strength, together with numerous, very well selected pictures, and a narrative explaining the reasons for changes and how they appeared. Arms covered are infantry, armour, artillery, cavalry, and airborne/special forces.

The second section is dealing with the armament of the Red Army, specifically tanks, infantry weapons, and artillery (`The Red God of War'), and contains invaluable information such as production and loss statistics for tanks, and detailed information on specific weapon systems, again superbly illustrated.

The book also contains an index and a bibliography. Zaloga and Ness should be commended for their use of wide-ranging sources.

As a scenario designer for the computer wargame "Combat Mission - Barbarossa to Berlin", and as a very interested student of the war between Germany and the Soviet Union, I find this book an invaluable reference. It beats Nafziger's books on German unit organisations hands-down in accessibility. A task no doubt made easier by the more rational organisation the Red Army had, compared to the Wehrmacht. Whether you are a wargamer or interested in the evolution of the Red Army from `Giant on Clayfeet' to the most formidable fighting force to emerge from World War 2, this book is a must buy.

The Red Army Handbook 1939-1945 fills a number of gaps in my knowledge of Soviet units. The only other source I've had for this data is the "War in the East" study done by the staff of Strategy and Tactics Magazine. The Handbook provides info on the Red Army similar to the War Department's "Handbook on German Military Forces", but without limiting the scope of information to the latter half of WWII. I can't emphasize the presence of TO&E info from '39-'41 enough, which the histories have hinted at, but no book I've found (before now) detailed. The knowledge I've gained from the Red Army Handbook has enhanced my (re-)readings of the various histories of the Soviet-Nazi conflict. I consider the Red Army Handbook a vital and essential addition to my library.

An excellent new book on the Red Army. This volume contains detailed information on the TO&E (Tables of Organization and Equipment) for Soviet ground forces in the Second World War. The focus of the book is very tight; the changing Soviet unit organization, and Soviet army weapons. Don't look here for tactical doctrine or operational history! I do wish that there was more discussion of Lend-Lease weapons and vehicles, particularly in terms of delivery quantities and dates, and more on Soviet radios and soft-skinned transport vehicles. Nevertheless, a must-have item for Red Army affectionadoes.

This book is a collection of interviews with recent Russian immigrants to the US. The authors have organized the book in sections according to the reason for migration or the immigrant's occupation in either the Soviet Union or the US, including Privilege Lost, God and Religious Dissent, Artists, Scientists and Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and the Gray Zone (sex industry workers). The very first interviewee, Georges Nakhitchevansky actually came to the US from France, but he provides a very insightful overview of the historical waves of Russian immigrants to the US, from the first refugees of the Bolshevik regime, to the Cold War immigrants, and the modern wave. He also notes how little communication or understanding there is between these groups once they arrive in the US. In the first few sections of the book, most of the focus is on the immigrants' motivation for leaving the Soviet Union, and there is relatively little reflection on life for Russians in the US. In later sections, however, a few interviewees make interesting observations about how life differs in the US and how they have had to struggle to survive here. One point mentioned over and again is how much harder people work at their jobs in America. On the other hand, some interviewees note that the average worker back home seems better educated and more capable than the average person here, yet we still seem to get more out of our workers here than they do in Russia. With its deeply personal interviews, this book shines a light on many aspects of the lives of recent Russian immigrants.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Well written, well structured. Extremely moving.

Many of the experiences of the new Russian imigrants captured in this book read like short stories with a beginning, a middle, and a moral. Essentially all of the stories are compelling even when the character is not sympathetic. The human struggle to persevere in the modern world is no where better captured than in the experience of leaving everything you have ever known to start again in a new country. As these are contemporary stories, many resonate.

1.2 million German soldiers needlessly perished in Soviet war captivity under Stalin. This book tells of one of the fortunate men who survived this terrible ordeal.

Georg Schinke was a very intelligent, organized, and highly motivated individual. He was an attorney and very knowledgeable in history which makes this book so much more interesting. He gives a broad overview of the Soviet system in addition to his observations. I will describe the book by relating a bit about some of the chapters it has. Homecoming tells about Georg's return through the eyes of his daughter. Hammer and Sickle gives an excellent synopsis of how Stalin ruled Russia. Onward gives a basic beginning from Georg's birth to his becoming a POW. From there on the reader is rewarded with a rich account of Georg's experiences. What makes the reading so enjoyable is the broad scope that Georg relates to in addition to his daily life in the camps. The only `shortcoming' of the book is that the reader is left wanting to know more about Georg and his pre and post war life. (All good books leave you wanting more) It is my opinion that Georg was a modest man, and chose not to concentrate so much on himself or his accomplishments so he chose to stick to his main purpose, describing life in the Red Cage. He was a first lieutenant (Oberleutnant), yet he never bragged or thought himself above others. Georg's humor nicely spices up the book, as does his writing style.

The book is sold on Amazon by Georg's daughter and includes a personalized, signed sticker, which adds to the book's appeal. I am delighted I purchased the book, which was delivered with outstanding service.

This book is spell binding, and others, who read it too, cannot lay it aside, but must finish reading from cover to cover. Not many people were capable to write about their experiences of being captivated by the enemy and kept behind barbed wire for endless years. Most soldiers, who fall prey to this kind of reprisal remain quiet, trying to forget. But can they? And what will happen to many after the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Soldiers will be sent again to do their duty.....

It is hard to read a book like this without anger swallowing my soul. For some the war did not end in 1945... it was just beginning. So it was for one german soldier named Georg Schinke and millions of other axis soldiers. Their crimes? They served their country. They fought for what they believed in. They lost the war.

Sadly Mr. Schinke has left us for eternity... but his daughter Gerborg took his memoirs in her very loving and capable hands and gave them shape and cohesion, keeping their context intact for the new generations. One of the few accounts available about the Gulag experience in the english language and it is a sobering experience. Those of you who belong to the new generations and find it hard to understand why we fought for Hitler should read this tome. Those of us who took part in The Great European Crusade Against Bolshevism know the dark side of the russians very well. Those axis soldiers that survived not only 4-5 years of brutal fighting on the eastern front but also 10 years of enslavement afterwards are the true heroes of the war, about which endless tomes should have been written; unfortunately it's the big shots who get all the credit in history books. I know first hand that our officers and those of the German armed forces were always (for the most part) at the front leading by example, men like Theodor Eicke of the 3rd SS Totenkopf who, rifle in hand would fight beside his troops, shared the same rations as them and refused preferential treatment.

Mr. Schinke's account is one of triumph under the most desperate conditions. These men shared one enduring quality that was the key component that allowed most to endure and survive those ten long years; camaraderie, that eternal soldierly brotherhood bonded from common suffering, sacrifice and unselfishness. A soldier learns to chip away at the unessential elements of existence to such a degree that they find it impossible to worry about the petty needs of daily existence. When you look death in the face on a daily basis you learn to love every minute of your existence like it's your last. Mr. Schinke and his comrades knew.

Huge memorials have ben built in the west to perpetuate the lies and honor the alleged victims of our horror. Yet, perhaps someday these brave axis soldiers too will have their memorial erected to honor their sacrifice for love of folk and nation, a nation that unfortunately turned it's back on them... refusing them veteran's pensions, placing them on trial for alleged crimes against humanity, persecuting their families and blaming them for all the evils wwii brought about. Sounds so much like the Vietnam veteran's sad retribution unfortunately. But as for now they each have their own very simple memorial... one built in the hearts of their loved ones, a memorial that is undying and that burns with the intensity of but one desire... to never forget who the true heroes are and honor them within the confines of our soul... and Mr. Schinke's literary homage to his and their suffering does just that.

I have always wondered how these men who came back faced a completely transformed world; transformed in every sense of the word... a world devoid of all the values these men had shed their blood for, without leaders of the same mettle as Hitler, DeGrelle, Rudel, Franco; a world which had crimininalized them, their actions, their institutions (while they were imprisoned and unable to defend themselves) and made them into a sort of resident evil for the new generations.

In war a soldier has the warriors chance, the capacity to survive battle by means of his soldierly skills. In captivity there is no such warrior's chance. Yet oddly enough this is a time when man reaches for substenance beyond the physical sphere into another realm... known but to him.

Raimund Fonseca