Rating: 
Summary: The Best War Novel In A Long Time
Review: This is a brilliant rendition of the last days of WWII. Just read the other reviews and see how moved those readers were. Robbins, in War Of The Rats, and again with this novel, has captured the essence of the time, the perils and destruction, the damage to landscape and human souls, and his portraits of Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill are resonant. If you are a fan of WWII fiction, or even just a damn good tale of heroism, sacrifice and adventure, you can't do better than this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: A Serious Novel
Review: This is a serious novel with much historically accurate detail. It is a must for anyone interested in the history of the closing days of WWII in Europe. It is a book that leaves you thinking about most of the characters as if they were your friends.It is not a lightweight book, but it is very difficult to put down when once one gets into it. The characters are real people caught in extraordinary circumstances, and the author has put great effort into describing their conflicts in authentic terms. This book is a substantial and compelling read.
Rating:
Summary: A Serious Novel
Review: This is a serious novel with much historically accurate detail. It is a must for anyone interested in the history of the closing days of WWII in Europe. It is a book that leaves you thinking about most of the characters as if they were your friends. It is not a lightweight book, but it is very difficult to put down when once one gets into it. The characters are real people caught in extraordinary circumstances, and the author has put great effort into describing their conflicts in authentic terms. This book is a substantial and compelling read.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: This is a very exciting work of prose. What I like most about it was its unique perspective, much of the novel takes place on the Eastern front from the russian point of view. That was where the real war was fought. That was where it was won. I would very much like to see this made into a big hollywood movie one day. Its nice to show the Russian soldier as brave and heroic man that has to fight both the Nazis and the brutal Stalinist regime in order to stay alive. Communism was evil but the soldiers of the front were true heros then and forever. Its nice to know that at least someone in the West accepts that fact.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading, but not earth shattering
Review: This is an interesting, well-written, compelling, and intruiging story set in WW II (actually three separate stories). It is both entertaining and thought-provoking, but I want to be careful not to give it more credit that is due. In the annals of war stories this will go down as a good one, but not a great one. While it had the potential to be very thought-provoking and profound, it falls more on the side of action novel instaed. That's not to say that it's a mindless blood-and-guts story, but don't expect to come away from this feeling that you just read a work of literature. Anyone who likes WW II stories should enjoy this book as long as they don't expect too much from it.
Rating:
Summary: A great way to read about history
Review: This is one of the best historical fiction books I have read. Reading about the race to Berlin through the eyes of Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt, while at the same time, finding out what they thought about each other made for fascinating reading. Eisenhower vs Montgomery made you grit your teeth. Other perspectives were provided by the Life photographer who wanted to be on the front lines, and by the girl left in Berlin....and what happens to them.
Rating:
Summary: Very well researched, eloquently written.
Review: This is the second book by Mr. Robbins that I've read. The End of War is an extremely well-researched, eloquently written, gripping story describing the lives of several different characters toward the end of WWII. The author does a splendid job of describing the brutality of the war (on both the Eastern and Western fronts) and its effect on disparate characters while both staying within the bounds of historical fact as well as keeping the reader highly engrossed. Fans of either Mr. Robbins previous novel, War of the Rats, or of the war genre in general will find this a fascinating read.
Rating:
Summary: High School History was never this exciting
Review: This was the first Robbins book I have read. Mr. Robbins did an outstanding job developing characters throughout the novel. Even though the results are historically known, I was still anxious to find out how it ended. I can't tell you how much sleep I lost just reading this book. You can almost smell the stench that was WWII. The historical intervention with fictional writing was superb in the least. Now I'm getting the prelude novel, War of the Rats...
Rating:
Summary: "End of War" is a modern "Red Badge of Courage"
Review: While shocking in it's depiction of the horrors of war, David L. Robbins' "The End of War" is both sad and triumphant in it's portrayal of the people and events that shaped our world's history. Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction together, Robbins brings the spirits of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin to life and teams them with an unforgetable cast of characters, whose lives will forever be affected by World War II. Although written as an ensemble piece, few of the characters can match the heartbreaking intensity of Lottie, a German musician, who hides behind her music in order to survive While another character, Charles Bandy, an American Photographer on the front lines of battle, risks his marriage and his life to record the horrors of war on film. The outcome of the war is well known to all of us, but the surprising twists and turns that confront the characters, as well as the behind the scenes dealings involving real-life players, make this book a glorious achievement for Robbins and a must read for everyone else.
Rating:
Summary: "End of War" is a modern "Red Badge of Courage"
Review: While shocking in it's depiction of the horrors of war, David L. Robbins' "The End of War" is both sad and triumphant in it's portrayal of the people and events that shaped our world's history. Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction together, Robbins brings the spirits of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin to life and teams them with an unforgetable cast of characters, whose lives will forever be affected by World War II. Although written as an ensemble piece, few of the characters can match the heartbreaking intensity of Lottie, a German musician, who hides behind her music in order to survive While another character, Charles Bandy, an American Photographer on the front lines of battle, risks his marriage and his life to record the horrors of war on film. The outcome of the war is well known to all of us, but the surprising twists and turns that confront the characters, as well as the behind the scenes dealings involving real-life players, make this book a glorious achievement for Robbins and a must read for everyone else.
|
