Fuhrer, Folk and Fatherland: A Soldier's Story - Softcover

Gagel, Douglas Wolfgang Oskar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0995209103 ISBN 13: 9780995209107

Publisher: Douglas Gagel, 2016

Synopsis

This is a true story: a rare, first-hand account of one soldier’s experiences during the Third Reich. It is also a love story, for amid the strife and devastation of war, Albin Gagel found the love of his life. By 1943, it had been four long years since he had left his home in a small village in Bavaria to begin what was supposed to be only two years’ mandatory military service. Although a seasoned veteran of the Wehrmacht, nothing he had experienced during the Blitzkrieg across France, or even the siege of Leningrad, had prepared him for the horror and desperation that surrounded him during the Battle of Kursk, the biggest tank battle of World War II and the start of Nazi Germany’s slow retreat from the Eastern Front. Now Albin was in the fight of his life. Any dreams he might have harboured about honour and glory had long since vanished. Political rhetoric meant nothing on the battlefield. Medals were just trinkets and would never equal the value of lives lost in their purchase. His world was reduced to the men in his company and the enemy that shadowed their every manoeuvre. Yet there was also Gisela, his hope, his dream, his future, but only if he could get out of Russia alive. Captivating from start to finish, this account offers an uncommon insight into what most Germans really thought about Hitler and his regime. And it is not quite what the wartime newsreels portrayed.

About this title

Review

"Gagel takes us to the Russian front, where the fighting was relentless and brutal. A well written, engaging book with exquisite detail that allows the reader to feel, taste, smell, and almost hear the horrors and depravation of war, and what can be endured by the overwhelming all consuming passion of love." - Joe Belanger, The London Free Press. "Gripping from beginning to end. Gagel has a fine mind for detail and the reader quickly becomes immersed in his tale. ... A wonderful book it truly is, as superb blend of excitement, tragedy, romance and adventure rarely found in non-fiction. Five out of five stars. Highly recommended!" - Amazon Customer Review. "Gagel's story is reminiscent of the great tomes of the First World War - novels like Eric Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front" without the literary pretension that dominates non-fiction books. Nothing is more valuable than the stories told by the person who has experienced history, who has lived through hardships, and survived. A fantastic tale that, despite all of the first-person accounts of the war I have read, I have not seen repeated anywhere." - Steven Kiersons "I couldn't put this book down. It's frankly one of the best stories I have ever read. It's not just the story, but the talent of the writer. History is so often written from the victor's recollection; so it is refreshing to read this story." - Phil Hauser. "The detailed combat stories were riveting, written so clear that I often felt frightened myself for the men. I loved the wedding chapter. It showed that people do look after each other in hard times. It's amazing that Albin went through so much trauma without ever giving up. He was always focused on returning home, ever keeping alert and realizing what he needed to do to survive." - Elaine Smith, Tillsonburg, ON.

Edition details

• Publisher: Douglas Gagel
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0995209103
• ISBN 13: 9780995209107
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 480