Customer Reviews

Shallow Graves in Siberia

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Highly recommended story of personal struggle and survival!

What starts out as one Polish man's journey to find his calling in pre-war Poland, turns into a survival story of epic proportions when in 1939 the Germans and the Soviets invade.

Michael Krupa tells you his amazing and true story of life for a Polish soldier on the run in WWII. He escapes the Germans only to be captured by the Soviets and suspected as a German spy. This may have saved his life because if they knew he was a Polish solder he may have been sent directly to be executed in Katyn Forest along with 20,000 of his fellow soldiers who perished there.

Lubianka prison and the worst of Soviet torture was his destination. Somehow he survived was 'lucky' enough to eventually be sent to Siberia. It is from there that he manages an escape and trek all the way across the Soviet Union to Afghanistan and freedom. UNBELIEVABLE story - I could not put it down!

Shows the best of the Polish spirit to survive despite the worst circumstances. Also suggested reading - The Polish Spirit by Wladyslaw Wojcik - a story of Polish soldier who survives the camps in Siberia and is able to join the Polish 2nd Corp and fight under the British.

Wow-Michael Krupa's story is utterly amazing in every detail! The fact that he survived a gunshot wound to his head by the evil NKVD, and lived to tell about it is nothing short of miraculous. The power of faith in the loving peasant, Christian couple who nurtured him back to health and helped him escape the clutches of the notorious and brutal Siberian Labor Camps during Stalin's reign of terror is incredible. This is one of those WWII memoirs that will stay with me for the rest of my life! I read it in one day it was so fascinating and absorbed every ounce of my attention. I feel that this book should be read by every student of WWII and those just interested in Siberian labor camps. A PERFECT memoir in every way!

This is truly an amazing story and what is more amazing is that Michael Krupa is now in his 91st year and going strong.

A book you have to read in one sitting, you cannot put it down.

This book is a good, easy read about the adventures of one man, and his escape from almost certain death in WWII. It is interesting to read, and is well detailed, but is from one mans perspective. I prefer historical books to be able to paint a bigger picture. However, if you like personal stories, it may be just your thing. It is plain written, and has a few grisly details about what he witnessed in WWII.

Awesome is a much used word and I try not to use it often, but the spirit of Michael Krupa is "Awe inspiring". An amazing account of a terrible time in history and a remarkable insight into human determination. I wondered many times whilst reading this book if I could have done what he did, and came up with the answer "probably not", which was a little confronting. I highly recommend this book.