Description
Book Synopsis: A powerful, groundbreaking narrative of the ordinary Russian soldier's experience of the worst war in history, based on newly revealed sources. Of the thirty million who fought in the eastern front of World War II, eight million died, driven forward in suicidal charges, shattered by German shells and tanks. They were the men and women of the Red Army, a ragtag mass of soldiers who confronted Europe's most lethal fighting force and by 1945 had defeated it. Sixty years have passed since their epic triumph, but the heart and mind of Ivan -- as the ordinary Russian soldier was called -- remain a mystery. We know something about how the soldiers died, but nearly nothing about how they lived, how they saw the world, or why they fought. Drawing on previously closed military and secret police archives, interviews with veterans, and private letters and diaries, Catherine Merridale presents the first comprehensive history of the Soviet Union Army rank and file. She follows the soldiers from the shock of the German invasion to their costly triumph in Stalingrad, where life expectancy was often a mere twenty-four hours. Through the soldiers' eyes, we witness their victorious arrival in Berlin, where their rage and suffering exact an awful toll, and accompany them as they return home full of hope, only to be denied the new life they had been fighting to secure. A tour de force of original research and a gripping history, Ivan's War reveals the singular mixture of courage, patriotism, anger, and fear that made it possible for these underfed, badly led troops to defeat the Nazi army. In the process Merridale restores to history the invisible millions who sacrificed the most to win the war.
Details
Discover the Untold Stories of the Red Army Heroes in Ivan's War
Unveiling the hidden tales of bravery, sacrifice, and triumph, Ivan's War is a groundbreaking narrative that sheds light on the extraordinary experiences of the ordinary Russian soldiers during World War II. Based on newly revealed sources, this powerful book takes you on a captivating journey through the darkest days of history.
The Red Army soldiers, numbering in the millions, faced unimaginable horrors at the eastern front. In the face of suicidal charges and the onslaught of German shells and tanks, these men and women stood strong and fought back. Witness their unwavering resolve and explore the depths of their courage as they clash with Europe's most formidable fighting force.
By delving into previously closed military and secret police archives, Catherine Merridale, the acclaimed author, offers an unprecedented look into the lives of the Soviet Union Army rank and file. Through interviews with veterans, private letters, diaries, and personal accounts, Ivan's War captures the essence of these soldiers' experiences, providing a comprehensive history like never before.
Join us on this mesmerizing journey from the shocking moments of the German invasion to the decisive victory in Stalingrad, where survival was a mere gamble of mere twenty-four hours. Witness their fierce determination as they march through Berlin, exacting a devastating toll on the enemy, and follow their bittersweet return home, only to face dashed hopes and dreams.
Ivan's War is a tour de force of original research that not only reveals the remarkable bravery of the Red Army soldiers but also pays homage to the invisible millions who sacrificed the most to secure victory. Experience their undying spirit, patriotism, and unwavering resolve in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Don't miss your chance to delve into the untold stories of Ivan and his comrades. Grab a copy of Ivan's War: Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945 today and embark on an unforgettable journey through history.
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