This offering covering the memories of Klaus Wilmann, telling the story of his life during World War II, and subsequent life as a prisoner of the Soviet forces is an informative read, that covers an important aspect of World War II, and the years after. The treatment endured is reminiscent of that metered out to Russians civilians and military alike, by some elements of the German Military, that does not come close to the treatment of Jews during this horrific period.

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Armorama

The book provides a glimpse into the life of a German soldier after he is taken prisoner, and the reflections of that soldier. Careful attention is paid to his experiences and the circumstances through which he and other prisoners lived. By relaying these experiences, the book provides a interesting contribution to the historiography of German prisoners of war in the Soviet Union.

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Traces of War

The story is very beautifully written and I thought had great detail, and for him to be so hopeful and cheerful in dark times is astounding. The book is easy to read, it doesn’t go into huge detail but then doesn’t also become too light. It is a harsh story and very good to read from a point of view I hadn’t actually read about before. I would recommend this book any other reader.

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UK Historian

All war can be brutal and tragic, but the war between Germany and the Soviet Union was in a class of its own, a celebration of inhumanity. The author has provided a picture of this brutal conflict’s painful ending for so many German soldiers. – Most Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

This is a first hand account of a German pow at the hands of the Russians.... It is a harrowing tale but one that should be read and understood.
It has an easy flow to it and also told without bravado and is told exactly as it happened.
This is really recommended as an alternative to what you read from everyday books that don't deal with how the German pow were treated.

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Amazon Customer, Richard Domoney-Saunders

It is perhaps improper to describe a book that describes much abject misery as an enjoyable read but this book, despite its story, is very enjoyable. It is the simple narrative of the life of Lothar Hermann, an ordinary Wehrmacht soldier and in particular his time in captivity enduring forced labour until his release in 1949. ‘Enduring’ is the key word as it is a story of endurance and the triumph of a strong minded young man over the physical and mental punishments he had to deal with. Throughout his story he does not invite sympathy; he recognises that his misfortunes were shared not only by millions of other German POW’s but also the Russian population who were scarcely better off. Occasional glimpses of kindness and hope define the victory of the human spirit over the dehumanising conditions; the chapter on his capture is particularly troubling. This is one of an increasing number of translations of German personal accounts and is well worth the read to balance the rather binary ‘Nazis versus the rest’ histories.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy