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

spies as poetry

I love Alan First. But, pay close attention to the little things. As you listen there are times you want just to savour the language. For instance approx 4:30, there is a moment in the mind of a country dog as it passes a city dog and says " ...this little white fluffy thing that thinks he is a dog, the things you see when you travel...". The moment is sad , a family walking the escape the Germans and this little slice of whimsy. Furst's stories abound with these little moments that you may want to rewind. The novel is great besides, but savour the journey as well. These novels are very noir, but don't blink and miss the poetry. George Guidall gets it and will transport you in to the world of war time Europe in a way you will never forget. Enjoy.

Slow burn.

This is a true slow burn. But like most if his work it’s the journey not the destination. His prose is exquisite. The situations our hero finds himself in are very believes as well as the characters inhabiting the plot. Highly recommended for those interested in WWII novels.

So worth it

The things we learn along the way through a fantastically written are so worth the read

The narrator is absolutely perfect

Certain historical truths only teased w/ fiction

There are certain historical truths that can only be teased out of the past with a fiction narrative build on the skeleton of the past. There are hidden truths that are exposed only with a story, with fiction, with literature. Alan Furst's war and pre-war espionage novels do that. His novels flesh out more about the people who fight, suffer and die in war than most straight academic histories can even hope to give to the reader.

You finish an Alan Furst novel tasting the blood and the smoke, body black with soot, blinded by the fiery lights, frozen by the cold, heart sick by all the death of war. Into this setting, Furst inserts little glimmers of caritas, humor, and love. He isn't prepared to make the entire world, even a world that is mewed in the machinery of war, devoid of humanity. There are flowers to smell, food to enjoy and even soft women to touch. It is sad but beautiful and that is sometimes just enough.

Third Book in the Night Soldiers Series

What made the experience of listening to The Polish Officer the most enjoyable?

I have experienced Alan Furst's books through Audible. I have enjoyed all of them. Pros: Great insight into a tumultuous and significant time. Locations that are vaguely familiar are brought to life. Cons: Hard to keep the characters straight - especially when he renames them throughout the book. This book seems like he just stopped mid story.

Would you recommend The Polish Officer to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes if they've read the first two books in the series.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

The main character. I couldn't tell you his name because I haven't seen it written.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to books continuously. I don't like to change them up until one is finished.

Excellent

I enjoyed this very much. Alan Furst is a fine writer. I love the insights you get into different cultures when reading his stuff. He's also pretty funny.

A good read

This book is well written and well narrated. If you’ve read other Furst WWII spy novels, such as Night Soldiers, then you’ll find little well placed hints that tie the stories together. Also, the author has a bit of humor in his writing that brings a healthy smile. Highly recommended, and well enjoyed.

My first Alan Furst novel

I'd planned to read "A Hero of France" but several reviews were unenthusiastic and one suggested starting with "The Polish Officer" which is how I chose this book. This genre isn't a top choice for me and, while I was glad I read it, I probably won't read any more Furst. He's very good at details regarding weapons, equipment, etc. and the details of WWII resistance ploys was sort of interesting but I found the abundance of characters a little confusing for an audible book.

Great story

Awesome narration of a very interesting story.
Very thoughtful. Dialogue and character development well done.

The Story Never Jelled

This book was a disappointment to me after Night Soldiers and Dark Star. The story, set in WWII is told in episodes, a series of stories that start and are cut off. No relationship endures; people appear and they disappear. The title, which presents the protagonist as a nameless functionary, reflects the sense of dislocation that this episodic structure creates. I suppose this is Furst's intention, to demonstrate for the reader the isolating effect of war, with constant upheaval and violence destroying every relationship and every harbor just as it materializes. I didn't really enjoy listening to it. But then, I do not think I would enjoy war, either.