Books matching: wwii memoir
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- #1
Save:Beginning in Paris on the eve of the Nazi occupation in 1940, 'Suite Francaise' by Irene Nemirovsky tells the remarkable story of men and women thrown together in circumstances beyond their control. As Parisians flee the city, human folly surfaces in every imaginable way - a wealthy mother searches for sweets in a town without food, a couple is terrified about their jobs as their world begins to fall apart. Moving on to a provincial village now occupied by German soldiers, the locals must learn to coexist with the enemy in their town, their homes, and even in their hearts. The first part of the book recounts the flight of Parisians as they leave the city, while the second part depicts life in a small French village under German occupation.
Nemirovsky's characters are vividly drawn and complex as they try to come to terms with their changing situation. The author's writing style is praised for its masterful portrayal of individuals dealing with the war and the occupation of France. The book weaves together a variety of perspectives, including the interactions between the French and German characters, showcasing the conflicting humanity given to the German soldiers during the occupation.
Hot, thought the Parisians. The warm air of spring. It was night, they were at war and there was an air raid. But dawn was near and the war far away. The first to hear the hum of the siren were those ... 'With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa' by Eugene B. Sledge is a first-hand memoir detailing the author's experiences as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II. The book provides a gritty and realistic account of the brutal battles at Peleliu and Okinawa, showcasing the horrors of war without any glorification. Sledge's writing style is honest, straightforward, and poignant, as he vividly describes the harsh realities of military life, the psychological challenges faced by soldiers, and the physical and emotional toll of combat.
I enlisted in the Marine Corps on 3 December 1942 at Marion, Alabama. At the time I was a freshman at Marion Military Institute. My parents and brother Edward had urged me to stay in college as long a...'The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II' by Svetlana Alexievich is a collection of stories from Russian women who served on the front lines during WWII. The book focuses on the experiences of these women, including their roles as sappers, snipers, pilots, artillery officers, and more, highlighting their heroism, sacrifice, and struggles. The stories are told in a raw and unfiltered manner, giving voice to the women who fought for their country in various capacities during the war.
The book presents a unique perspective on WWII, shedding light on the experiences of women who were often overlooked in traditional historical accounts. Through oral histories and personal anecdotes, 'The Unwomanly Face of War' delves into the lives of these women before, during, and after the war, portraying their resilience, courage, and the challenges they faced on the battlefield and in their personal lives. The writing style is described as poignant, informative, moving, and at times difficult to read but ultimately offers a gripping and insightful look at the untold stories of female veterans of WWII.
*1 Osip Mandelstam (1891–1938) was one of the greatest Russian poets of the twentieth century. The epigraph comes from “Lines on the Unknown Soldier” (1937–1938). Mandelstam died in transit to one of ...- #4
Save:Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie is a memoir depicting the author's experiences as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II. Through vivid and intense storytelling, Leckie takes the reader on a journey from his enlistment, basic training, and deployment to the fierce battles in the Pacific theatre, including Guadalcanal and Peleliu. The book captures the horrors of combat, the camaraderie among the marines, and the day-to-day struggles faced by these young men in the midst of war. Leckie's writing style is described as honest, unsentimental, and at times poetic, offering a personal and gripping account of one man's war experience.
The war with Japan was not yet four weeks old, Wake Island had fallen. Pearl Harbor was a real tragedy, a burning bitter humiliation. Hastily composed war songs were on the lips of everyone, their hea... - #5
Save:'Stuka Pilot' by Hans-Ulrich Rudel is a memoir that showcases the bravery and skills of the author as a pilot during World War II. Despite his allegiance to the German military and the Nazi cause, Rudel's narrative of close air support missions is filled with audacity and adventure. The book provides a unique perspective of the Russian Front observed entirely from the air, giving readers a detached view of the changing dynamics between Axis and Allied powers during the war. Rudel's writing style is deliberate and detailed, portraying his experiences with humility and a focus on the military aspects of his missions.
1924 My home is the rectory of the little village of Seiferdau in Silesia; I am eight. One Sunday my father and mother go into the neighbouring town of Schweidnitz for an “Aviation Day”. I am furious ... 'Quartered Safe Out Here' by George MacDonald Fraser is a World War II memoir that offers a vivid and honest account of the author's experiences as a soldier in Burma. The book delves into the life of a British infantryman on the frontlines, providing a personal view of the 'forgotten war'. Fraser's writing style includes phonetically spelled out accents and recreated conversations, bringing the characters to life and immersing the reader in the day-to-day struggles and camaraderie of the soldiers. The author candidly recounts the horrors of war, the challenges of memory recall, and his reflections on the past, all set against the backdrop of the XIV Army campaign in Burma.
THE FIRST TIME I SMELT JAP was in a deep dry-river bed in the Dry Belt, somewhere near Meiktila. I can no more describe the smell than I could describe a colour, but it was heavy and pungent and compo...- #7
Save:'The Forgotten Soldier' by Guy Sajer is a harrowing first-hand account of a foot soldier's experience in one of Germany's defeated WWII armies, particularly focusing on the horrors of the Eastern Front. The book provides a brutal and personal narrative of the author's struggles to survive as a young Frenchman in the German army during World War II, shedding light on the realities of war beyond the glamorized versions often portrayed.
I had to shoulder a brutally heavy burden. Suddenly there were two flags for me to honor, and two lines of defense-the Siegfried and the Maginot-and powerful external enemies. I entered the service, d... "Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters" by Dick Winters is a firsthand account of Major Winters' experiences during World War II as part of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division. It provides insights into major battles such as D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, while also delving into Winters' reflections on leadership and the impact of war on his life. The writing style is described as authentic and more in-depth than the miniseries it was based on, offering a unique perspective on the events of the war through Winters' eyes.
I am still haunted by the names and faces of young men, young airborne troopers who never had the opportunity to return home after the war and begin their lives anew. Like most veterans who have share...- #9
Save:'Red Road From Stalingrad: Recollections of a Soviet Infantryman' by Mansur Abdulin, Artem Drabkin, and Denis Fedosov is a detailed and vivid firsthand account of a Russian soldier's experiences during World War II. The book follows Abdulin's journey from volunteering for the Red Army during Operation Barbarossa to his survival through battles such as Stalingrad and combat leading up to Stalingrad. Through Abdulin's recollections, readers are exposed to the horror of war, the camaraderie among soldiers, the sacrifices demanded in defeating the Nazis, and the humanity that can still exist in the midst of conflict. The narrative provides insights into the mindset, actions, and challenges faced by a common Russian infantry officer during the war, offering a raw and personal view of the struggles and triumphs on the Eastern Front.
Abdulin's writing style is praised for its ability to recreate the feeling and horror of war in the reader's mind, going beyond the statistics to provide a close-up look at the experiences of a foot soldier in a desperate battle against a superior enemy. The book captures the day-to-day life of a Russian soldier, depicting the combat scenes, the camaraderie, the sacrifices, and the emotional turmoil faced by individuals caught in the midst of total war. With vivid descriptions of carnage, heroism, and the realities of life on the front lines, 'Red Road From Stalingrad' offers a compelling and moving narrative that sheds light on the lesser-known perspectives of the Soviet armed forces during the Great Patriotic War.
- #10
Save:Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a unique and thought-provoking novel that follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time. The story is told in a non-linear fashion, jumping between events such as the bombing of Dresden during World War II, Billy's childhood, hospitalization, and abduction by aliens. Vonnegut's writing style is a blend of dark humor, satire, and science fiction elements, creating a narrative that challenges the reader to question reality and the nature of war.
All this happened, more or less. The war parts, anyway, are pretty much true. One guy I knew really was shot in Dresden for taking a teapot that wasn’t his. Another guy I knew really did threaten to h...
