A disillusioned hero of the Afghanistan war, an infatuated artist, a mafia chieftain's daughter, an Islamic leader, and a conservative KGB colonel struggle with the political chaos overtaking a collapsing Soviet Union. By the author of Red Army. Reprint. K.
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From Publishers Weekly
Recent history provides the backdrop for Peters's bleak novel about a crumbling empire inhabited by dreary people. Self-absorbed Latvian Sasha Lesknov makes his living painting murals glorifying the Soviet military. On assignment in Potsdam in 1989, Sasha befriends stoical army captain Mikhail "Misha" Samsonov, a highly decorated Afghan war veteran. Returning to Moscow to restore an unfit regiment to combat readiness, Misha meets and eventually marries Vera, Sasha's pretty but somewhat dull ex-girlfriend. Sasha begins an affair with exotically beautiful Shirin Talala, whose father is the notorious Uzbek mob chieftain Ali Talala. Sasha's brother Pavel, a loyal KGB functionary, is trying to bring Ali to justice. But that's the least of Ali's problems: his beloved right-hand man may betray him, and Islam fundamentalists are threatening his fiefdom. A violent coup is launched in Uzbekistan, and Misha and his now capable unit are dispatched to quell the unrest. The adventure and suspense that filled Peters's Red Army and The War in 2020 are absent here; unrelievedly downbeat, the story drags on like a Siberian winter.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Sasha Leskov is a good artist who paints mediocre Soviet military murals. Misha Samsonov is a good soldier who leads troops into losing battles, most recently in Afghanistan. In this novel of contemporary Soviet life, both discover that although their professional ideals are hopeless, they are blindsided by unexpected loves that redeem their despairing lives. Sasha's love for Sherin, the beautiful Uzbek, links their fates to political conflict from Latvia to Uzbekistan as her powerful father pits his brutal clan against the KGB forces of Sasha's brother. The intrigue and passions that overwhelm characters in this compelling novel are as timely as today's headlines. Peters, author of Red Army ( LJ 4/1/89) , Bravo Romeo (S. & S., 1990), and The War in 2020 ( LJ 3/15/91), is also an army intelligence analyst at the Pentagon. He demonstrates not only a talent for characterization but a formidable knowledge of the former USSR. Recommended for popular collections.
- Ann Donovan, St. Petersburg Junior Coll. Lib., Fla.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Ann Donovan, St. Petersburg Junior Coll. Lib., Fla.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The man can WRITE.
Dec 18 2001
By Stephen Green
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The prologue. Ralph Peters gives you the perspective, the eyesight, of a Soviet Third Shock Army officer stationed in East Germany, 1989. Inside the Magdeberg headquarters, you drink vodka with the Russion generals. You smell the stink of their fear-sweat. You hear their outrage and lack of understanding as the East Germans protest down the streets against them. Against you.
Ralph Peters gets you so close to them, you not only feel the scratchy wool of their uniforms, but when word comes that the locals are tearing down the Berlin Wall... it hits you with the same end-of-the-world kidney punch as it must have hit real-life Soviet officers.
And that's just the first few pages. Next up, we have exotic locals, both hot and cold, intrigue, plots, Islamic terror, and some of the hottest (...romance) to ever land on the pages of a hardcover novel.
Plus the usual heaping dose Ralph Peters of tragedy.
Beg, borrow, buy, or steal this book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rich Characters
April 9 2002
By John G. Hilliard
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This book may be in the wrong category. I would not really place it in the action group becuase it is a display of a deep character driven novel. It is really a very interesting look at this difficult time for Russian's. It was also much more enjoyable then I thought it would be. The descriptions of the locations and main home were very good. I also liked the characters that were created. They had depth and feeling, not just scratch the surface to fill pages. The book is not the feel good hit of the year, it does had a rich plot that you need to keep up with, but the author rewards your efforts with a masterly written book. I think when it comes down to it that is the strength here, the writing is just very good, a lot of feeling comes out.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tightly written! A good read.
Oct 2 1998
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Since Peters came out with Red Army, I have read all of his works. I have enjoyed them all, but this is his best to date.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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