Rating: 
Summary: It Reads Like Lightning
Review: I'm a World War 11 buff, an avid reader of both fiction and non fiction about "The Good War." I don't give five star ratings in this genre easily. They're almost always saved for James Jones, author of "From Here to Eternity," "The Thin Red Line" and "Whistle." But Mr. Robbins' "The End of War" is a remarkable novel. It's not literary, it's just a helluva good story, very well told. It moves at a lightning pace. It beautifully intertwines history with the stories of three very different people, an American war photographer, a Russian soldier, and a teenage girl trapped in Berlin. For historical perspective, Mr. Robbins uses the perspectives of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin to chronicle the rush to Berlin during the last five months of the war. These World Leader chapters are informative and entertaining. But they serve to provide only a framework for the personal sagas of the photographer, the Russian and the girl. Surprisingly, perhaps - because Mr. Robbins is an American and a scholar of history - the two stories that pack an unforgettable punch are of Ilya, the battered soldier and Lottie, the helpless German girl. Particularly, the latter. The terror and hopelessness depicted in the Berlin narrative is some of the best writing of war ever penned. And the ending is perfect. That's all I can say - Absolutely and Artistically Perfect. I hope Hollywood discovers this book. It's a classic mini-series waiting to happen.
Rating:
Summary: It Reads Like Lightning
Review: I'm a World War 11 buff, an avid reader of both fiction and non fiction about "The Good War." I don't give five star ratings in this genre easily. They're almost always saved for James Jones, author of "From Here to Eternity," "The Thin Red Line" and "Whistle." But Mr. Robbins' "The End of War" is a remarkable novel. It's not literary, it's just a helluva good story, very well told. It moves at a lightning pace. It beautifully intertwines history with the stories of three very different people, an American war photographer, a Russian soldier, and a teenage girl trapped in Berlin. For historical perspective, Mr. Robbins uses the perspectives of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin to chronicle the rush to Berlin during the last five months of the war. These World Leader chapters are informative and entertaining. But they serve to provide only a framework for the personal sagas of the photographer, the Russian and the girl. Surprisingly, perhaps - because Mr. Robbins is an American and a scholar of history - the two stories that pack an unforgettable punch are of Ilya, the battered soldier and Lottie, the helpless German girl. Particularly, the latter. The terror and hopelessness depicted in the Berlin narrative is some of the best writing of war ever penned. And the ending is perfect. That's all I can say - Absolutely and Artistically Perfect. I hope Hollywood discovers this book. It's a classic mini-series waiting to happen.
Rating: 
Summary: I've read this somewhere before
Review: I'm sorry, but do all the triller authors have to keep beating world war 2 to death? We have the same people dealing with the same issues as we do in every other WW 2 novel. I liked the book don't get me wrong but how often can we have A reluctant solider
A German family trying to cope with the war
2 Russian soilders trying to redeme themselves Don't forget Churchill Overall-Good and fast paced, but nothing new read Hart's War instead
Rating:
Summary: I've read this somewhere before
Review: I'm sorry, but do all the triller authors have to keep beating world war 2 to death? We have the same people dealing with the same issues as we do in every other WW 2 novel. I liked the book don't get me wrong but how often can we have A reluctant solider
A German family trying to cope with the war
2 Russian soilders trying to redeme themselves Don't forget Churchill Overall-Good and fast paced, but nothing new read Hart's War instead
Rating: 
Summary: Great Historical Fiction
Review: Immensely enjoyable, this book is well written and as far as I can tell historically accurate. Gives a great overview of the last few months of World War II in Europe, and particularly focuses on the decision by Eisenhower not to take Berlin. The characters are all well-developed, both fictional and historical. The book was somewhat disjointed, however, as the author jumped between the three fictional characters, making it difficult at times to become immersed in the plot. This is the only reason for my not giving this book 5 stars. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The Gods and the Mortals on the road to Berlin
Review: In The War of the Rats, Robbins took three real people and fictionalized their story of the seige of Stalingrad. It made for very powerful reading that haunts me weeks after reading the book. He grows a bit more venturesome in The End of War with somewhat more mixed results. There are still three very real people in fictionalized form in this book. The tough part is that they are Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill. He also adds three fictional stories - Russian soldiers, an American photojouralist and a mother and daughter in Berlin. In the audiotape interview he states that his intention is to borrow from the Greek tragedy structure of the Gods orchestrating from above and the impact of their decisions on the mortals. In an overall sense, Robbins is very successful at explaining the mix of loftly and petty motivations behind the Allies decisions in the Spring of 1945. On one hand, there are thoughtful decisions but there are also big decisions made for very human reasons. For example, at a point when the Americans and the Russians are both about 60 miles from Berlin, Roosevelt acquieses to letting the Russians take Berlin in an unspoken trade for the Russians' participation in Roosevelt's dream - the United Nations. Imagine what the world might have been like if the Americans had liberated Berlin. The actual reading experience of the book is good but not great. The six plotlines rotate along the timeline of history. Sometimes the transitions flow but others are abrupt. There's also so much potential material in each sub-plot that none of them feels fully developed. Robbins' prose is solid with some very dramatic scenes. Bottom-line: A good read for fans of historical fiction. If you can, try to listen to the interview at the end of the Recorded Books unabridged tape. It provides some great insights on Robbins research and his message.
Rating:
Summary: "The End of War" or Why I Didn't Sleep Last Night
Review: It's been awhile since I've spent hours late at night reading on the couch in the family room, not wishing to be aware of the time yet knowing I have to crawl into work somehow in a few hours. David Robbins' "The End of War" was the culprit this time. Mr. Robbins tells the tale of the last few months of World War II in Europe, when the Allied leaders were in a chess match that would determine the fate of post-war Europe. At the same time, both civilian and military combatants on the front lines were desperately trying to survive, playing their roles in determining the outcome of the War. Germany is all but defeated: the Russians are relentlessly moving westward towards Berlin and the British and American armies are driving eastward. Mr. Robbins convincingly carries the reader into each of these worlds: the reader travels to the Livadia Palace in Yalta with Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill and observes the events from which the Cold War begins. Effortlessly, the reader is transported to the banks of the Vistula to follow Ilya and Misha, Russian soldiers in the Eight Guards penal battalion, or to Lottie and Mutti, daughter and mother in Berlin battered by Allied bombs, or with an Ernie Pile-like American war correspondent, Bandy, who is covering the war for Life magazine on the front lines with Eighty-Third Infantry Division as they crossed the Rhine. Mr. Robbins balances the lives of these characters with the actions of military commanders and the heads of state who give them direction. His portrayal of Churchill, most notably one scene with a globe, is particularly affecting and he gives special care to the characters of Bandy, Ilya, and Lottie, all of whom are heroes in their own right. Mr. Robbins provides detailed maps of both fronts so the reader can develop and establish a sense of place. As a reader, I tend to get more involved with historical novel when I can place the action on a map and I found myself frequently flipping to the maps in the front of this book. In addition, the author provides the reader with a list of sources and suggested readings: Stephen Ambrose's "Band of Brothers" was the first work listed. Read this book especially if you enjoy watching seemingly minor lives transformed in a world full of chaos. Oh, by the way, I slept in the day I finished the book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Work!
Review: Mr. Robbins has once again written a great novel that while fictional is built around a core of History. I commented on historical fiction and its thresholds for accuracy when I posted my thoughts on his book, "War Of The Rats", so I will not repeat it all here. As I have read a number of books on each of, "The Big Three", I know this book portrays the primary historical characters with absolute dead on accuracy. The Author knows the type of cigarettes Stalin dismantled to smoke in his Dunhill Pipe, and even more noteworthy he knows the nickname that Churchill's Family had given to the pocket watch he carried. The latter detail I have only come across when reading Sir Martin Gilbert's Official Biography Of Sir Winston Spencer Churchill. The, "Big Three", and Mr. Truman have to appear in any book about the closing events of World War II, however what I very much enjoyed were the people that did not replace the familiar leaders as much as they at times reflected their ideas in well conceived ways. The people, through whom we experience the final stages of World War II, range from a photographer for Life magazine who understands the importance of Berlin better than both General Eisenhower and a terminally ill Roosevelt. The President who's arrogance prevented him from including Truman, when he was as ill as he was, thus leaving Truman with virtually no knowledge handed down, or experience to equip him to deal with Stalin. A Russian Soldier who leads us from Stalingrad to Berlin. He has been stripped of rank and is serving in a penal company, however he embodies the perfect infantryman that Stalin would have made divisions of had he the chance. When this same soldier reaches Berlin his Humanity is regained like his rank has risen, and were Stalin to know he would remove him from the living with the infamous checkmark. A young German Woman, a classical musician enjoys the privileges her talents secure for her, and that keep some distance between her and the reality of Berlin. As the War comes to a close her world deteriorates until she is forced to live with her Mother, a woman who takes the most dangerous risk for reasons that are hers, and is rewarded with her Daughter's condemnation. Her cello ensures her a better albeit temporary security. For when Berlin falls she is there to be victimized at will. She fights to reconcile the opportunities her position presents for her, and the obligations she feels toward her Mother, as well as what the Nazis' have ingrained in her versus the reality of their crimes. This is the second work by a very talented writer who to date has brought stories involving the Second World War. It will be interesting to see whether he continues with this genre, or directs a deftly held pen toward other events in History. Reading time very well spent, recommended without condition.
Rating:
Summary: The End of War: A Novel of the Race for Berlin
Review: Once again, David L. Robins has produced a work that is not only riveting, but is packed with gems of historical fact that opened this readers eyes to the politics of World War II. This tale is more than the stories of heroic struggles of fighting men on various fronts, it reveals the behind the scenes intrigue between the world leaders of the time and how their personlities and private agendas have formed the world we live in today. With this knowledge comes the unfortunate revelation that we, as Americans, through our leadership of the time, allowed the dark and bloody hand of communism free reign. This however, I believe is not the intent of the author. Mr. Robins is careful to leave the reader with hope. This hope stems from knowldege, which is power. As we all have heard, "those who do not know history are bound to repeat it" This book is a "must read" for all, even if your not a "history buff." Putting the seriousness of the subject matter aside for a moment, this book is very entertaining and moving. Mr. Robins charactors are truely alive and three dimensional. As with all great writers, the reader becomes a part of the book. Transported to the time and place and becoming a charactor themselves, if you will. I found the ending to be, not only surprizing, but a masterful twist from the genius of the author, which was both compelling and very moving.
Rating:
Summary: Stick to Fiction
Review: Robbins book, "War of the Rats" was excellent because he used historical facts as background and created fictional characters. In "The End of War", Robbins tried too hard to incorporate real people:Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin into his fiction. Half way through the book I felt that if he described Churchill's cigar one more time I would stop reading. Robbins also wrote several things that are just wrong, not fictionally wrong just wrong and a good editor should have seen them. Robbins wrote "the Dutch harbor at Antwerp", hopefully no Belgian will read that. Robbins continually uses "Fraulein" when he should be using "Frau" or "Gnaedige Frau". He has Germans answering "Wie heisst Du" with "Horst", when no German then or now would answer such a question with his first name. Mardi Gras and Fastnacht always occur 6 weeks before Easter not 4 weeks, even in 1945. Robbins premiss about War is excellent: "Only the dead have seen the end of war." I will take that from the book and be happy that I read it. But please, Mr Robbins in your next book stick to fiction. You create wonderful, realistic characters, so much more enjoyable than your cardboard, stereotypes of Churchill, etc.
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