Until the Eyes Shut

Memories of a Machine Gunner on the Eastern Front, 1943-45

By: Andreas Hartinger

Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

The veteran tells his grandson about his World War II experiences, without pathos but with gripping, brutal honesty.

The rulers’ mistakes are paid for with the blood of the people. This is shown in history both recent and ancient, time and time again. It was no different for an Austrian mountain farmer’s son who was thrown into the carnage of the Eastern Front. He was in the prime of his youth, and the German Reich was already close to losing the war.

In ripe-old age, he remembers those dark hours that have haunted him throughout his life. Manning his machine gun in merciless struggles with a superior enemy or fighting for survival in brutal close combat, reduced to basest instincts. He also remembers the rock-solid comradeship with his mountain troop, the unexpected gestures of humanity, and an insane destructiveness at a time when the world was out of joint.

This ruthless, honest, and touching real-life account of a simple frontline soldier serves as a reminder to stand up for peace at all times, and to despise war. Until the eyes shut...

About the author

Andreas Hartinger had a profound interest in contemporary history from a young age. During his professional assignments in various crises around the world, he has seen with his own eyes how war takes humanity hostage. He and his grandfather Hans Kahr wrote down the elder’s war memories together. It was painstaking work, and it involved innumerable unsettling conversations. What started off as a family project is now available to a broad audience.

©2019 Andreas Hartinger (P)2020 Andreas Hartinger

Captivating

I thought it was an authentic description of the brutal and horrific

experiences of a German soldier during the last two years of WII.

Short & Insightful

This book, ALMOST, seems like a complete re telling of 'Blood Red Snow', however - given the scope of that piece of history it's not impossible to say this soldier had an almost exact experience. It's very insightful as to what warfare looked like through the eyes of a grunt during WWII.

One of the best memoirs I have ever listened to.

Poetic, bitter, and brutally honest. Listening to this provides a unique perspective on a devastating war.

So descriptive that you feel like you’re there!

Beautifully written about such tragic times. I felt fully immersed in this book. Tim Dixon has a fantastic voice which made me gravitate even more to listening to this story. Highly recommend!

Loved it

I enjoyed the book. Many a times I stopped to gather my strength. Amazing how these soldiers were able to survive the Soviet onslaught.
Excellent memoir.

Good Eastern Front account from a Landser.

I pre ordered this book is print and read it pretty quickly. I enjoyed it. This one, while fairly short, is just as good Forgotten Soldier and Blood Red Snow. Horrific combat and terrible depictions of the appalling brutality of the war in the East. Couple that with the never ending tension of a protracted withdrawal makes this an engaging listen. I’m glad I listened to it, it was worth a second go.

masterpiece of a memoir

extremely well written, the story grips you at every moment, And there is a perfect balance of history and narrative combined to tell an excellent story. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in personal narratives or military history.

another powerfully personal account

one of my favourite recounts of a monumental struggle told in his uniquely personal style
thank you for sharing this with us, I'm so grateful for the insight

absolute masterpiece

the author is so genuine and story is great for being short would recommend to the moon and back

will leave you in tears

loved every moment of this book highly recommend to everyone it brought history to life

Fantastic!

What a fantastic read, I just wish it was longer! The story was perfectly paced, the facts of war intertwined with human emotion. Well recommended.