Fire Burn: World War II Diaries [Paperback]

Irene Zarina White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2006

Fire Burn is based on diaries kept during World War II by a single, young professional woman, Irene Zarina White. From September 1939 through May 1946 Irene lived under four different governments: the Republic of Latvia, the Soviet Union, Nazi Ger

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Irene Zarina White started a diary in 1939, while studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Riga. She graduated in 1940, the only female among 150 students. Two days later, the Soviet Union invaded Latvia. She fled to Germany, where she survived

Product Details

• Paperback: 414 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris (March 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599263483
• ISBN-13: 978-1599263489
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,744,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > History > Europe > Latvia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic - A must buy, June 16, 2006

By 

Dr. Jackson Meter - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire Burn (Hardcover)

An amazing story of the author's life and experiences throughout WWII. The hardships, the tragedies and the new start in America.

The fact that the information in the book is an account of true events makes it a fascinating read. I could not put it down.

If you have any interest in world history or simply want to be captivated by this interesting and amazing woman's life story, do yourself a favor and pick up this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 14, 2007

By 

Juris Kelley "douglasm" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fire Burn (Hardcover)

I was given this book, and at first, did not think much of it. But once I started reading it, wow. Everyone should read the first 75 pages to see what it was like under the Red Army. Great book; hard to put down.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Story, March 22, 2009

By 

Ilsa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire Burn: World War II Diaries (Paperback)

Nearly all of the books that I've read about the World War II period have been military histories, soldiers' stories or accounts of Hitler's actions towards the Jews.

This book is refreshingly different. It details the day to day civilian life of a young chemical engineer from university graduation in pre-war Latvia, to the Sovietization of Latvia, through her voluntary emigration to Nazi Germany to work for IG Farben near Frankfurt and then to American liberation and occupation.

She survives the war's hardships as a German civilian through intelligence, sacrifice, tenacity and luck.

This - or books like it - are "must reads" for anyone wanting to gain a fuller understanding of the true impact of World War II.