MY LIFE IN THE RED ARMY

by Fred Virski ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 12, 1949

Good crackling true adventure, this reportorial account of the experiences of a 19-year old Pole in the Red Army. The record holds its own because of its humor, its straightforward style, its lack of posturing. Virski tells a good story and tells it well, holding no brief for Russians or Germans, exposing violence and goodness, whether in officer or common soldier. It is a personal history of adventure, love, friendship, physical and moral courage. Virski was a university student at Cracow when Poland was a victim of Germany and Russia. A worker in a Soviet factory when the story opens, he was held there as indispensable. Only later was he illegally inducted into the Red Army. Intimate indeed are the descriptions of the life, of food, clothing, friends and foes; of making monkeys of officers and funny business of a system. Once his detachment was lost. Later came war with Germany, swift and terrible adventures. Wounded, he faces terror-packed nights and days to escape to Poland, where he would be free to fight in his own country's army. Different and well enough written to merit attention.

Pub Date: April 12, 1949

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1949

Categories: NONFICTION