Red Road from Stalingrad

Recollections of a Soviet Infantryman

By: Mansur Abdulin

Narrated by: Alex Hyde-White

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Mansur Abdulin fought in the front ranks of the Soviet infantry against the German invaders at Stalingrad, Kursk, and on the banks of the Dnieper. This is his extraordinary story. His vivid firsthand account of a ruthless war on the Eastern Front gives rare insight into the reality of the fighting and into the tactics and mentality of the Red Army's soldiers.

In his own words, and with a remarkable clarity of recall, he describes what combat was like on the ground, face-to-face with a skilled, deadly, and increasingly desperate enemy. The terrifying moments of action, the discomfort of existence at the front, the humorous moments, the absurdities and cruelties of army organization, and the sheer physical and psychological harshness of the campaign - all these aspects of a Soviet soldier's experience during the Great Patriotic War are brought dramatically to life in Mansur Abdulin's memoirs.

The grand strategy of the campaigns across the Eastern Front is less important here than the sequence of brutal and bloody engagements that were the firsthand experience of the common soldier. It is this close-up view of combat that makes Mansur Abdulin's reminiscences of such value.

©2020 Mansur Abdulin (P)2020 Pen and Sword Military

The Russian perspective is fascinating and deeply tragic.

This is a wonderful historical document. Truly heartbreaking at times. Mansur Abdulin was an amazing man. A hero.

Good read

One of few first hand accounts of low rank soviet infantry available. Well written account from the point of view of a infantryman with only a tiny picture of the battlefield and Soviet war machine around him. But the struggle, the horror, as well as the thrill and pride of survival are point on. A good read.

A good insight of the daily life experience of a Soviet infantrymen.

This book seems to reflect in a very balanced way the daily life of a Soviet infantryman life. The author manages to reflect his motivations and feelings without making it sound like it
is government generated propaganda. It is good and in my opinion required reading for any one trying to see all sides of the largest conflict in human history

One of the best stories, really enjoy every min

One of the best stories, really enjoy every minute.

Goes into details for combact action

fantastic

thank God he loved long enough to finally decide on being the one to record the story of death island

Outstanding Account, Masterfully Presented

There is no substitute for the grit, realism and terror of the front line as told by this Muslim soldier in the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War, in which 27 million Soviet citizens perished. Abdulin's striking testimony is powerfully presented by the British narrator in an unforgettable drama. An essential study for anyone seeking to understand even part of history's mightiest military clash, between Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany.

Great story.

Interesting perspective from a rank-and-file Soviet soldier who fought on and survived 4 major fronts, including Kursk and Stalingrad.

thank you Masur Abdulin...

I really wanted to get into this story, however I struggled with having the narrator representing the author on this one.

The Narrator did a fabulous job and I would enjoy many other stories by him but it just did not seem matched well for me here.

Fespite this, i want to thank you Masur for sharing and recording your story for posterity.
Hopefully more records of your compatriots will eventually make their way into English for a Western audience, who seem to be interested but for the most part do not have access.

it would have been helpful if the soviet government had encouraged its veterans to record their stories and great sacrifices soon after the war...

First perspective from a Russian soldier 

This is the first book that I have listened to written in firsthand by a Russian soldier on the eastern front. I am impressed that this is the first book. The author wrote regarding the war, and mostly based on his personal memory memories, most interesting hearing about the day-to-day struggles, the front line Russian soldier. There are times when it could ramble on. There are times with more specific details could be provided. However, it was a unique perspective, and one I enjoyed, I complement the author for his service and his efforts.

Memoir of a Soviet soldier fighting the Nazis

The best personal account of the war on the eastern front and the battle of Stalingrad I've read. I actually feel grateful to Mansur Abdulin for writing this. From 1947 onward there has been a flood of stories written by former members of the Wehrmacht, they form a genre with many (too many) enthusiasts in the West. I've found very few from the Russian side. There may be more that were never translated to English due to the Cold War. I hope more exist and they do finally get translated. Abdulin comes off as deeply humane in a way that you can't fake. His attitude toward the enemy is matter-of-fact, never dehumanizing, although he did hate them of course and who wouldn't. On multiple occasions he was just as likely to be killed by his own side as by the Germans as a result of Order 227. For the Russian soldier the war was a living thing that could kill you a million different ways, and Mansur Abdulin witnessed them all.