The Polish Officer

By: Alan Furst

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Alan Furst is internationally renowned as master of the European espionage thriller. Unfolding in September of 1939 as Hitler’s Wehrmacht ravages Warsaw, the Polish Officer discloses the clandestine existence of Polish Military Intelligence.

Captain Alexander de Milja understands that his life, as he knows it, is over. But even in this bleakest of circumstances, all need not be lost. At a decimated cavalry stable under the droning of German bombers, Alexander is offered a choice: die in a last stand, or accept a new appointment—and discover a way to keep on fighting even in the face of defeat. His first mission: lead the final refugee train south from doomed Warsaw.

With delicately wrought prose and a historian’s eye for detail, Alan Furst offers a powerful, emotionally challenging addition to his stellar catalogue.

©1995 Alan Furst (P)2005 Recorded Books

Disappointing

Would you try another book from Alan Furst and/or George Guidall?

After listening to the three Furst books read by Daniel Gerrol which I really enjoyed, this was a disappointing experience. I did not enjoy Guidall's preformance.

If you’ve listened to books by Alan Furst before, how does this one compare?

I did not find either the story or characters as engaging as in the other Furst books I have listened to, however Guidall's preformance may have tainted my view of the book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Guidall is apparently very popular and I find this hard to understand. There is little range in his voice and it lacks any vitality. After Gerrol, who is superb, Guidall's preformance seems dull and tiresome. He has a very grandfatherly voice.

Was The Polish Officer worth the listening time?

If you like Guidall you will likely like this as well.

Any additional comments?

I will give Guidall another chance on another Furst novel, but if his preformance is as lack-luster as it is here I'll likely give up on the series. I do hope that Gerrol narrates future Furst books.

Excellent

Good story good narration very much worth the money and time. Bb nn nn nn nn

A Rewarding Journey Through History...

While telling the story of a Polish officer on assignment, the listener is treated to new insight on the struggles of a country torn apart by WWII. The historical aspect of the period makes this a thoughtful listen.

The book!

One of the best books I have ever heard I will probably buy to read, narrated beautifully I will definitely hear it again and again

The best of many fine Furst novels

The best of a great series of overlapping but not directly connected novels, so you need not read them in order written or time period covered.

The best of Furst

I’ve read all of Alan Furst’s novels, and this is arguably the best. The narrator is also amazing.

My favorite Alan Furst

My favorite of Alan Furst's many fine novels. Fine characters and character development. I always learn a lot about the time just preceding and during the Nazi occupation, and how it played out in different corners of Europe.

A Match of Great Narration and Exciting Story

I always look for audiobooks narrated by George Guidall. He can enhance the suspense with just a pause and a clearing of his throat. His modulation and vocal characterizations are spot on. This novel matches him with the incomparable Alan Furst. This may be my favorite of his books because the writing is superb. He lingers on details but moves on when he has told enough. The characters draw you in. The story is plausible. The action is sustained. Nobody surpasses Alan at research and his observations on the war are revealing. This audiobook is a WW2 espionage thriller that surpasses its genre.

pre-war historical fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you know anything of the politics of pre-WWII you can easily follow the thread of the story. While enjoyable it takes a while to immerse into the character. And the succeeding chapters jump around a bit. With easy references to other characters in previous books Furst continues his character development.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Furst tracks well with the intelligence system of pre-WWII and I thought this was going to be a more Polish military centric book. The Russian references are worthwhile but diverted me from the true threads of the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Maybe the evacuation of the gold from Poland.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nope, probably the ending being unresolved.

Any additional comments?

I am skeptical of buying more in this series. None of the reviews are exactly, well, positive.

Another great work by Alan Furst—so rich and what a sweep of time

Another wonderful telling of the way WWII moved ordinary people into unusual situations where their character and wits are continually called on to survive and to serve the cause. Beginning in Poland, the story moves through France, England, and back to Poland as the main character is asked to do more and more to support the quiet war against the Germans. Filled with vivid characters and a keen understanding of the push and pull of many levels of society during these years, Alan Furst again tells a compelling story of an ordinary man in extradordinary times. Just gets faster and faster.