book review: "Ivan's War"

EricFG · 08-06-2006, 11:40 AM

subtilted "Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945" by Catherine Merridale.
Copyright 2006.

A Brief review from Amazon:
"This is an excellent book to read in order to understand (in general) what life was like for the average Russian soldier in WWII. The author drew from recently de-classified Russian sources as well as numerous personal interviews with veterans of the Soviet Army.

I was struck many times by the wretched conditions that the Soviets fought in - whether by poor supplies to the front lines (Soviet soldiers were never issued socks, but instead had long "Ace Bandage" type linens that they had to wrap their feet up in), to an uncaring opportunistic Communist bureaucracy that would award a medal as soon as declare you a criminal or simply shoot you. Of course there were many stories from and about the ubiquitous political officers and their attempts at propaganda.

The one thing missing, as has been noted, are the stories of individual actions and "fire-fights". The author attempted to address this as a universal unwillingness of veterans to discuss these aspects with here or simply state that they couldn't remember. I believe her, as the book reveals that WWII on the eastern front was so very brutal, with 1) scorched earth tactics and genocides on both sides, 2) almost no opportunity to escape from the exteme weather conditions, and 3) the ruthless use of manpower by the Russians (some sources state that 15 Soviet soldiers were killed for every 1 German soldier) that fighting was mostly conducted with an animal-like fury that no one wishes to remember."

And my comments:
While not a page-turner it's a nice look at the average Soviet 'grunt' back in the day. So much has been written about the Wehrmacht soldier in Russia it's nice to read about the Red Army soldiers. Some interesting stuff in the book, especially the chapter entitled "Despoil The Corpse" which is all about the Red Army on German soil (in 45). Brutal. Also, a paragraph or two concerning medals.

roy · 08-11-2006, 02:44 PM

Eric,

Thanks for the review of this book!

I've located a copy and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

abr · 08-18-2006, 06:06 PM

I have purchased this one as well. I find this book a bit too academic, not easy read by any means. I've put it aside after 32 pages in favor of another book I picked at same order: Blood Red Snow -- me***rs of German soldier on Eastern Front.

I just took that book in hands to look trough photos and simply can't stop reading it for 3rd day. Anybody who is interested in WW2 will enjoy it big time. I’m still at Stalingrad battle part of it and it is blast to read!

The only other book that is still beats it: “From Stalingrad to Dnepr”. Post soviet me***rs of Russian soldier. That is most horror book I ever read about the war. Interesting thing from that book, the author says that it was such a fierce battle of Kursk, that a thunderstorm clouds with rain appear over the front line (curved same way as fight line was) while it was clear sky everywhere else. Fascinating reading.

Dolf · 08-18-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

“From Stalingrad to Dnepr”

Can you please confirm the title? Can't find nothing with that title.
The author would be nice too.

Thanks,

Dolf

abr · 08-21-2006, 06:47 PM

Dolf,

I don't think this book was ever translated. If you can read in Russian, I would recommend to get a copy. Here is pictures:

Author: Mansur Abdulin

abr · 08-21-2006, 07:01 PM

And this is picture of German soldier book I have mention earlier. I'm almost finished reading..., this guy was totally lucky to survive in absolute hell of front lines.

roy · 08-21-2006, 07:31 PM

Here are some very good Soviet me***rs. Of the three, Mansur Abdulin's "Red Road" is the best, followed by "On The Roads of War".

Dolf · 08-21-2006, 07:45 PM

Thanks guys

No, unfortunatelly I can't read Russian abr

Will do some search for the others.

Cheers,

Dolf

abr · 08-21-2006, 08:07 PM

I have a hitch that Red Road and the book I talking about may be the same thing.

Does "Red Road" book has a chapter about “island of death” or how they stole army rations from Germans in Stalingrad by misleading their air support?

Lapa · 08-22-2006, 03:22 AM

Dolf,

I am 99% certain that "Red Road from Stalingrad" is in fact the book abr talks about.

Marc

08-06-2006, 11:40 AM	#1
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	book review: "Ivan's War" subtilted "Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945" by Catherine Merridale. Copyright 2006. A Brief review from Amazon: "This is an excellent book to read in order to understand (in general) what life was like for the average Russian soldier in WWII. The author drew from recently de-classified Russian sources as well as numerous personal interviews with veterans of the Soviet Army. I was struck many times by the wretched conditions that the Soviets fought in - whether by poor supplies to the front lines (Soviet soldiers were never issued socks, but instead had long "Ace Bandage" type linens that they had to wrap their feet up in), to an uncaring opportunistic Communist bureaucracy that would award a medal as soon as declare you a criminal or simply shoot you. Of course there were many stories from and about the ubiquitous political officers and their attempts at propaganda. The one thing missing, as has been noted, are the stories of individual actions and "fire-fights". The author attempted to address this as a universal unwillingness of veterans to discuss these aspects with here or simply state that they couldn't remember. I believe her, as the book reveals that WWII on the eastern front was so very brutal, with 1) scorched earth tactics and genocides on both sides, 2) almost no opportunity to escape from the exteme weather conditions, and 3) the ruthless use of manpower by the Russians (some sources state that 15 Soviet soldiers were killed for every 1 German soldier) that fighting was mostly conducted with an animal-like fury that no one wishes to remember." And my comments: While not a page-turner it's a nice look at the average Soviet 'grunt' back in the day. So much has been written about the Wehrmacht soldier in Russia it's nice to read about the Red Army soldiers. Some interesting stuff in the book, especially the chapter entitled "Despoil The Corpse" which is all about the Red Army on German soil (in 45). Brutal. Also, a paragraph or two concerning medals. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

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08-11-2006, 02:44 PM	#2
roy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Benton, Tennessee Age: 51 Posts: 99	Eric, Thanks for the review of this book! I've located a copy and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

08-18-2006, 06:06 PM	#3
abr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 28	I have purchased this one as well. I find this book a bit too academic, not easy read by any means. I've put it aside after 32 pages in favor of another book I picked at same order: Blood Red Snow -- me*rs of German soldier on Eastern Front. I just took that book in hands to look trough photos and simply can't stop reading it for 3rd day. Anybody who is interested in WW2 will enjoy it big time. I’m still at Stalingrad battle part of it and it is blast to read! The only other book that is still beats it: “From Stalingrad to Dnepr”. Post soviet me*rs of Russian soldier. That is most horror book I ever read about the war. Interesting thing from that book, the author says that it was such a fierce battle of Kursk, that a thunderstorm clouds with rain appear over the front line (curved same way as fight line was) while it was clear sky everywhere else. Fascinating reading.

08-21-2006, 07:45 PM	#8
Dolf Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Age: 68 Posts: 572	Thanks guys No, unfortunatelly I can't read Russian abr Will do some search for the others. Cheers, Dolf

08-21-2006, 08:07 PM	#9
abr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 28	I have a hitch that Red Road and the book I talking about may be the same thing. Does "Red Road" book has a chapter about “island of death” or how they stole army rations from Germans in Stalingrad by misleading their air support?

08-22-2006, 03:22 AM	#10
Lapa Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St Petersburg, Russia Age: 63 Posts: 2,397	Dolf, I am 99% certain that "Red Road from Stalingrad" is in fact the book abr talks about. Marc

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