- Hardcover: 292 pages
- Publisher: Littlehampton Book Services Ltd (17 April 1980)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297777408
- ISBN-13: 978-0297777403
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,353,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
This is the true and striking story by a Jewish doctor of his struggle for survival when caught in 1939 between the evils of Nazi Germany and Stalin's Russia. After facing death from frontier patrols, a firing squad and torture, Urban arrives at a position of considerable power in Soviet society in a medical post. He risks his life again, fighting epidemics. These fascinating memoirs give a rare glimpse of the Soviet Union in wartime, particularly into the exotic life of the Moscow élite, where beautiful women, diplomats and spies mingled at parties, and sex was used as a method of recruiting agents. Compassionate to the sick, defiant to authority, Garri S. Urban courageously insisted on his own way, even in the face of death. He tells his remarkable tale as boldly as he lived it. "A most remarkable man . a most remarkable book" The Observer "Written with the narrative skill of a professional, this book became an international best seller." The Times
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4 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Tenacity prevails
14 Jun 2001
Format:Hardcover
Here is the eye-opening memoir of a Jewish doctor's survival in Stalin's USSR. When the Holocaust sweeps into Poland, Dr. Urban flees east. In contrast to the anti-Semitism of the Germans and even his fellow Poles, the Soviets are viewed almost as saviors. The young physician quickly discovers this mistake, as his outspoken assertiveness immediately runs him afoul of the NKVD. After being subjected to brutal "interrogation", he is deported to a Siberian labor-camp for the most violent criminals. Here he takes destiny into his own hands. By making a preemptive strike against the most feared inmate, he impresses his captors, who reward him with the post of prison-doctor. His sentence is commuted when physicians become needed to combat epidemics of typhus and venereal disease in the newly liberated Ukraine. Dr. Urban's uncanny ability to manipulate male NKGB agents and to literally charm female agents out of their pants contributes to an increasingly elevated position in Soviet society. But he is hardly "free", and continues to chafe under the restrictive totalitarian regime. Eventually his duties take him back to Poland, where he finds anti-Semitism still rampant, and manages to avenge himself satisfactorily on his former oppressors. In occupied Berlin, he hopes to elude his NKGB surveillance and defect to the West. But his now-legendary outspokenness alienates him from the US forces, whom he accuses of "coddling the Nazis". Yet again, he must take charge of his own destiny, and devise a daring and most perilous escape plot. Dr. Urban's autobiography is remarkable. Despite the most dismal circumstances, he never portrays himself as a victim. I would have rated his book five stars, were it not for the numerous, detailed (and in my opinion exasperating!) accounts of his sexual conquests.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Absolutely riveting
2 Sep 2003
Format:Hardcover
It is a remarkable book written by a remarkable man. The book is not just a story of a survival under Stalin, it is a portrayal of incredibly reach and interesting character of Garri Urban. While reading the book you keep asking yourself how in such inhuman and humiliating conditions was it possible to preserve the finest feelings such as love and compassion and at the same time allowing nobody, even under threat of death, to deprive him of honour and self-respect. Absolutely riveting.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Absolutely riveting
2 Sep 2003
Format:Hardcover
It is a remarkable book written by a remarkable man. The book is not just a story of a survival under Stalin, it is a portrayal of incredibly reach and interesting character of Garri Urban. While reading the book you keep asking yourself how in such inhuman and humiliating conditions was it possible to preserve the finest feelings such as love and compassion and at the same time allowing nobody, even under threat of death, to deprive him of honour and self-respect. Absolutely riveting.
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