The Brief Sun [Paperback]

Robert Ambros (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2002

Andrzej was only sixteen when he was deported from his home in eastern Poland and sent to a Siberian labor camp during World War II. The Soviets planned to work him to death, but all that changed when the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union. Stalin was stunned and reluctantly agreed to the formation of a Polish army in exile. Andrzej had only one chance for survival: travel thousands of miles through the Siberian wastelands to find this new army, known as Anders' Army. This is the true story of men who left Siberian labor camps half-starved, and trained with rags on their feet and wooden guns on their shoulders to win back their homeland. They developed into what British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan referred to as one of the greatest fighting units in World War II, winning battle after battle against Germany's finest soldiers and opening up the road to Rome for the Allies. An undefeated army in exile, they were betrayed when within reach of their homeland. Swept under the rugs during the Cold War, The Brief Sun describes the incredible true story of a struggle first to survive and then to triumph. British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan compared the story of Anders and his men to the march of the Greeks under Xenophon. 'Alas, though the Greeks at last saw the sea, which meant for them the final stage in the journey,' wrote Macmillan, 'this Polish force, starting from the prison camps of Eastern Europe, traversed Asia, Africa, and Western Europe, only to find, at the end of so much heroism, disillusion, and despair.' From struggles to survive in Siberian labor camps to triumphs on the battlefields of Italy, The Brief Sun is an extraordinary story of courage, heroism, and in the end, betrayal. For more information, see the web site dedicated to this novel at: www.thebriefsun.com.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A powerful, gripping historical saga." -- Midwest Book Review, May 2002

"A well-written novel...the author deftly merges many sources, including historical accounts, to offer an illuminating insight into the events." -- Newsletter of the Polish Library in Washington, June-July 2002

A passionate account of the resilience of man and compromises that left Poland at the mercy of the Soviets. -- Polish American Journal

This well-written, very interesting "true story" is a MUST READ. -- Polish Heritage Journal, Anna Chrypinski, The American Council for Polish Culture

From the Author

The Brief Sun has been awarded first place in the 2002 Writer's Digest Competition for best genre fiction.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (August 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759692939
• ISBN-13: 978-0759692930
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Journey..., July 23, 2003

By 

Vicki G. (New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Brief Sun (Paperback)

The Brief Sun was a wonderful book !!! There was no wasted space, no flowery wording....just an incredible journey through unimaginable circumstances. The author describes in perfect detail what his characters experience..to the point where you can almost SEE what they see and FEEL what they feel. The book was a learning experience for me... and gave me an appreciation for what strife people can and have endured and how their lives were changed forever by their experiences. I highly recommend this book....it has something for everyone...from history to adventure to romance and then some...and I look forward to Robert Ambros' next work !!!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Brief Sun" A Review, July 12, 2003

By 

Ronee Henson (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Brief Sun (Paperback)

In his beautifully crafted book "The Brief Sun" Robert Ambros tells the story of 16 year old Andrzej and his companions in a Northern Siberian labor camp in 1941, and beyond. Mr. Ambros has the unique gift of describing his characters fully formed. The reader can almost see them, touch them, and understand the motives for their actions, as well as get into their minds. That is the mark of a true story teller! In spite of the pathos of the era, his matter-of-fact telling of the story makes it an easy to read book. His descriptions of fear, cold, hunger, loss, guilt and immense sorrow are offset by tales of the closest cameraderie, the desolation and beauty of the various landscapes Andrzej encounters, and the hunger for, and finding of first love. This story, told with passion, is rich in historical detail, and should become required reading in every modern history class. I highly recommend it to anyone, today and in the future!Mr. Ambros is a surgical pathologist.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, April 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Brief Sun (Paperback)

This book takes you by the hand and unflinchingly leads you into a nightmare, seen through the eyes of an adolescent who had the misfortune of growing up during one of the cruelest wars in history. Be prepared to tear up and effortlessly absorb historical facts in this quiet masterpiece.