Without Vodka : Wartime Adventures in Russia

Rating:
Summary: a worthwhile read
Review: As an American interested in Russian affairs, and speaking little Russian- good books are hard to come by. Either translated from Russian, or written by Americans who don't really know what they are talking about- I have yet to read a book that really piqued my interest. Until this one. This book has a many things working well for it- it is written in english by someone who was THERE, it flows smoothly from chapter to chapter,and above all it is interesting. It is sad how little many Americans know about the gigantic country that we have fought for and against throughout history. Russia is amazing, and this book conveys that quite well.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping Read
Review: From the first paragraph I was engrossed in the book and transported to another world. Similar in some ways to Angela's Ashes this book added the extra complexity of depicting the complexity of politics and war. The attention to detail and memory are phenomenal. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping Read
Review: From the first paragraph I was engrossed in the book and transported to another world. Similar in some ways to Angela's Ashes this book added the extra complexity of depicting the complexity of politics and war. The attention to detail and memory are phenomenal. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Real Life Story Hits Home
Review: This is a chronicle of the early years of WW2 as experienced by a Polish teenager. His arrest, torture and deportation to Siberia is followed by another major adventure in trying to reach the Polish Army in Uzbekistan.
Aleksander Topolski's detailed, thorough descriptions of the people he encountered, the places he passed through and the experiences he endured bring this account alive.
Personally, this book has allowed me to gain a tremendous insight into the experiences of my own father whose story is mirrored by this one.
A highly recommended read for anyone interested in learning about the unbelievable Soviet regime of days gone by.