Soldat

Reflections of a German Soldier, 1936-1949

By: Siegfried Knappe, Ted Brusaw

Narrated by: John Wray

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

A German soldier during World War II offers an inside look at the Nazi war machine, using his wartime diaries to describe how a ruthless psychopath motivated an entire generation of ordinary Germans to carry out his monstrous schemes.

©1992 Siegfried Knappe Charles T. Brusaw (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Fascinating!

Told in a very dry, factual style, but I found it incredibly fascinating. If you want to understand the path that leads the German people on such a disastrous course then this book is a must read.

BEST EVER

I’ve read or listened to all the military memoirs from sides of the soldiers of WWII , this was the best yet ! Told in an understated way .... yet an amazing story!

For me, a surprisingly interesting book

I don't usually enjoy books about war, but this book kept me interested throughout. The author seems to be a very honest person, although I still find it incomprehensible he could not have at least heard rumors of the concentration camps. His book, however, is very enlightening, being the memories of a soldier deeply engulfed in the German military and a prisoner of war even longer held by the Soviets.

Best autobiography of war

This is one of the greatest books ever written about the tragedies of war and the human condition. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys understanding what other people go through.

Very well written and engrossing story from “the other side” of the war

This book sheds light on the highs and lows of the war for a German soldier including his excitement getting into the general staff college and all the prestige that had at the time. Knappe survived so many brushes with death and fate definitely had its eyes on him.

Thoughtful voice and perspective

Well constructed story line, moving forward and backward in time, that tells of a young man coming of age within the German army during WWII. The author is not the common soldier, but one of education and social skills who rises both due to his merits and the war itself. The daily life and honor of the professional military is the focus, giving clear differentiation between being a soldier in the German army and a member of the Nazi Party. Excellent perspective to add for anyone interested in WWII history.

Great story terrible narration

I enjoyed the story although a bit boring in the beginning and also somewhat choppy jumping around but over all great story . Now the narrator was absolutely terrible just awful he seemed bored at times and just trying to get through this . I don't think you should ever hire that guy again he just did a really awful job narrating this book.

if you care at all about ww2 you must listen!

people tend to dehumanize German soldiers in ww2, however most were not evil they were not Nazis, they were human. yes we can ask ourselves why did they follow Hitler's orders, but are we really that different today?
sodat is a story from the other side, and it is best I have ever heard.

Good Book

Great story. The narration is too fast at first to get the book in but it slows down.

Amazing history

I thought this book had amazing historical significance, as a first person narrative of someone who was right at the center of the last days of the Third Reich. As someone who reads a lot of books on WWII I always look for alternative perspectives, especially when it pertains to the Eastern Front. I did question the author's honesty about not knowing anything of Hitler's final solution. I think for most people it seems inconceivable that a plan to exterminate an entire race of people, a plan that was partially carried out on such a horrific and massive scale, could not be known by those higher up in the military. We may never know the truth.