When the Germans invaded Russia in 1941; Vasily Grossman became a special correspondent for the Red Star; the Soviet Army's newspaper; and reported from the frontlines of the war. A Writer at War depicts in vivid detail the crushing conditions on the Eastern Front; and the lives and deaths of soldiers and civilians alike. Witnessing some of the most savage fighting of the war; Grossman saw firsthand the repeated early defeats of the Red Army; the brutal street fighting in Stalingrad; the Battle of Kursk (the largest tank engagement in history); the defense of Moscow; the battles in Ukraine; the atrocities at Treblinka; and much more. Antony Beevor and Luba Vinogradova have taken Grossman's raw notebooks; and fashioned them into a gripping narrative providing one of the most even-handed descriptions --at once unflinching and sensitive -- we have ever had of what Grossman called “the ruthless truth of war.â€
#291616 in Books 2015-03-10 2015-03-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.60 x 6.10 x 9.10l; .0 #File Name: 0306821273440 pages
Review
65 of 66 people found the following review helpful. Interesting; but Jefferson's admirers won't like itBy Robert FisherEven before reading this book; the thought had occurred to me that the more I read of George Washington; the more I liked him and the more I read of Thomas Jefferson; the less I liked him. Thomas Fleming's The Great Divide is a book that would certainly confirm that viewpoint. Fleming portrays Washington as a model of prudent realism while Jefferson is presented as a man possessed of both excessive idealism and political ruthlessness. Reading of Jefferson's staunch support for the French Revolution; even as he received reports of the growing violence suggested he was not unlike the intellectuals of the 1930's who praised Stalin's Soviet Union. Actually; aside from Washington; other leading figures of the early Republic do not come across well. John Adams proved to have little political sense. Alexander Hamilton was brilliant but hotheaded and caught up in a sex scandal. James Madison allowed himself to come too much under Jefferson's sway; although the disastrous War of 1812 caused him to rethink Jefferson's anti-military policies. Fleming has written an interesting book; but I wonder if his portrait of Jefferson amounts to demonizing (next to Fleming's Jefferson; Aaron Burr looks like a tower of honor). I am seriously considering reading another Jefferson biography for the sake of balance.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great Divide by T FlemingBy RachelI actually got this book at the library; but it was so good that I ordered it off here. My book came today; so I finished the book off with the copy that I just bought. This is my fist time reading Thomas Fleming. I know some stuff on the American Revolution; but it was only till recently that I wanted to do a in-depth study on the war and the people around it. Fleming definitely didn't disappoint me at all; and I am looking forward to reading more of his books. Even though it was good; I did have some criticism on the book. I sometimes thought that book was flooded with to much information; and at times I thought were not focusing on either George Washington and Thomas Jefferson enough. The book also started off slow for me; it was not until I reached page 100 that I started to get more into it. I also want to add; if your a big Thomas Jefferson fan then this book is not for you. He is not portrayed very well in this book. I found myself liking Washington better then I did Jefferson. Fleming makes it not secret the disdain that he has for Jefferson. The greatest divide between these two powerful men is that they had different ideologies on what makes a great nation; how the country should be run; and how much power should the federal government should have. This not only ruined Jefferson and Washington once close friendship; but also the friendship between Washington/ Madison. I have to admit that I found myself appalled by some of Jefferson actions throughout the story. There was several things; but him visiting Martha Washington. He didn't bother to visit her at the time of her husbands death; but when he needed the Federalist vote to elect him as President then he makes the visit; had me twitching my eye in regards him. Overall I think this is a good book. I think it was well researched; and Fleming really knows what he is talking about.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very interesting book--focused on a comparison of George Washington and Thomas JeffersonBy Steven PetersonA very interesting book--focused on the differences between the first President; George Washington; and thre third; Thomas Jefferson. Other works have explored Jefferson's quirky nature; one thinks of the book on "The American Sphinx." He could be nasty toward others; but at the same time he scintillated with his mind and his multiple skill sets.This book; though; explores one side of his life--his evolving relationship with George Washington. Up front; I would have to say that the book is somewhat one dimensional in its criti cal examination of Jefferson. The author; essentially; excoriates him. And; doubtless; a deification of Jefferson is way off base. He was a flawed person; even though his talent must be respected. His cavalier work as Governor of Virginia; his hiring of a writer as an employee of the State Department (while Jefferson was Secretary of State) to write attacks on Washington and his administration (bizarre; no?); and his suicidal embargo against England; France and other nations.The juxtaposition of Washington's wise; cautious; political approach to decisions and Jefferson's more idealistic perspective (changing over time) are at the heart of this book. Washington is looked at as a model president and Jefferson as a "loose cannon."Readers will have to determine if that approach succeeds. I sense that the author is too critical of Jefferson--even though one needs a realistic look at a complex and flawed person.
