Ivan's War

Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945

By: Catherine Merridale

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

A powerful, groundbreaking narrative of the ordinary Russian soldier's experience of the worst war in history, based on newly revealed sources.

Of the 30 million who fought in the eastern front of World War II, 8 million died, driven forward in suicidal charges, shattered by German shells and tanks. They were the men and women of the Red Army, a ragtag mass of soldiers who confronted Europe's most lethal fighting force and by 1945 had defeated it. Sixty years have passed since their epic triumph, but the heart and mind of Ivan - as the ordinary Russian soldier was called-remain a mystery. We know something about how the soldiers died, but nearly nothing about how they lived, how they saw the world, or why they fought.

A tour de force of original research and a gripping history, Ivan's War reveals the singular mixture of courage, patriotism, anger, and fear that made it possible for these underfed, badly led troops to defeat the Nazi army. In the process, Merridale restores to history the invisible millions who sacrificed the most to win the war.

©2006 Catherine Merridale (P)2019 Tantor

Remarkable Overview of Soviet War Experience

Based on 200 interviews with surviving veterans, extensive archival research in official records (including NKVD reports), and a vast array of secondary sources (including Werth's excellent history), Merridale presents a picture of Soviet soldiers at war. Her great strength is her ability to combine these complex threads seamlessly to present both the bird's-eye and up close views and weave together both analytical, topic based chapters and an overall narrative. Some have argued there is not as much ground level, personal perspective as they might have liked here (though I suspect the original text better indicates her sources), but I think Merridale does an exceptional job, given the limitations of survivors' memories, imperfect access to former Soviet records (some of which were still restricted or secret at the time of writing), and the heroic mythos of The Great Patriotic War. Her central conclusion, much like Werth's, is that the great suffering and exhausting effort of defeating and destroying the Nazi invaders drew from rage but also hope for a better postwar life. But it was a life that Stalin made sure they could never enjoy, indeed, a betrayal of the heroism (if not the brutality) of his people. Perkins' reading enhances the work and helps keep it engaging throughout many hours of listening. Highly recommended.

A story we have not heard.

This perspective is one we have not heard. It is gut wrenching, brutal, horrifying, and gives shape to a history where there was a gaping hole in our knowledge. The loss and destruction on the Eastern front of WWII is truly shattering in scope. This book captures it from the most personal stories of its soldiers. Worth reading.

Fantastic and fascinating.

Great writing, research and insights from the author and perfect narration. Highest recommendation for those interested in the history of the average Russian soldier’s actual experience in WW2. Added perspective of complicated Russian societal and political background wove through the military information. Masterful

Respect

There is a shortage of history about the Soviet World War II in the West, and a lack of critical history of it in Russia. More Americans should read and remember their war - both the inspiring and the toxic parts

Excellent narration, interesting perspective on WWII

Excellent narration, interesting perspective on WWII Eastern front soldier level history, found it fascinating from start to finish