The Polish Officer

De: Alan Furst

Narrado por: George Guidall

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

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.

Slow paced.

I like Alan Furst stories for the historical backgrounds portrayed. However, I found this story to be pretty dull. I quit listening to it several times, but finally decided to slog through it. Done.

Captivating story

Your interest is immediately captured and you are drawn into this exciting tale. The narration is superb as well as the professional performance. Outstanding.

Gloomily Atmospheric Early WWII Spy Story

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

Getting a real feel for the troubles of Eastern Europe during the early part of WWII. Not as familiar to Westerners as the occupation of France and the battle of Britain

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

The protagonist

A Different View

Would you listen to The Polish Officer again? Why?

Yes The historical perspective and motivations of the French. The book is well written and one is forced to go over certain parts.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Polish Officer?

The scenes and atmosphere in the jumbing off point of the German preparation for their invasion of England.

I love the love stories and how war can make us more noble and willing to sacrifice our wills

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The story comes to life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Not the Polidh officier /but something to do with resistance.

Any additional comments?

I almost didn't get into it. I started many times but the beginning just didn't take off.
I love to read about the war and wonder why the germans didn't win the war. This book gives me another view point.

The books human interations gives it the punch.

My grandparents came from Poland and my grandmother never liked it there. From what I read, they seem to have had poor leaders and one can sort of understand their patriotic will and their misteps.

Historical Literature at its Finest

Would you consider the audio edition of The Polish Officer to be better than the print version?
George Guidall is the master of audio narration. In novels such as Furst's, where intonation is crucial and the unspoken in dialogue is as or more important than words said aloud, Guidall is at his apex.

What did you like best about this story?
The Polish Officer is not just one of the finest historical novels ever written, it is a true piece of literature. Furst's earlier night soldier novels are excellent, but in his depiction of a complex slavic man confronting the cruelty and complexity not only of the entire human race but his own mind and personality, the author surpasses Hemingway early and takes the war novel to a new dimension. Makes For Whom the Bell Tolled feel overwrought and obvious.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?
Like in most of his other novels, ancillary characters supply much of the narrative's color. Poles, Russians, and French, men and women, nobility to those inhabiting the lowest levels of society: each character expands the reader's understanding of the setting both time and place. Furst's most interesting characters in his night soldiers novels are the nebbishy "losers" who nibble around the edges of war-torn Europe (Louis Fischfang, the screenwriter in Red Gold; S. Rosen in many of the novels, the short, fat, bald fatalistic covert agent with the shadowy past). In this novel he creates an ensemble cast of interesting bit players with whom you may fall in love. He even makes you like a German officer. Kind of.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
World War Two: This Time It's Personal.

Any additional comments?
If you ever listened to a performance of Albert Camus' The Stranger and enjoyed it, you will enjoy this book immensely. If not, you will still enjoy this book immensely.

Tedious, but worth the read.

Sometimes confusing, but mostly very interesting and informative. George Gadell is a brilliant narrator and I love his voice.