Mark Munger > Quotes

“Whereas much of eastern Finland is marshy, lake-filled, and forested, making mass assaults with tanks and mechanized troops problematic, the Estonian border with Russia is not nearly as difficult for invaders. Cross a river or two and the path is clear to Tallinn. Historians still debate Konstantin Päts’s decision to capitulate to Stalin. I decided long ago, despite my enmity towards the man, that his decision saved, rather than cost, Estonian lives.”
― Mark Munger, Sukulaiset: The Kindred

“Yes, yes. I know. Poor judgment, that. But he at least was an Estonian, believed in Estonia. Most faculty members who thought like him have vanished. The communists also closed the theology department, which, since I wasn’t thinking of the ministry,” Karl said wryly, “didn’t affect me. But then they liquidated the Academy of Sciences,” Karl continued, his somber mood returning, “which had just formed. They also purged tens of thousands of ‘objectionable’ books from the university library.”
― Mark Munger, Sukulaiset: The Kindred

“Oh my God,” she whispered. “Oh my God.” My father chortled. “Hele, my dearest one, God has very little to do with it. This is the work of politicians. I’ve seen their work up close, too close. The result of their work is, in the end, slaughter. And for what? To gain a few more hectares of swamp? Trees? Fields?” This”
― Mark Munger, Sukulaiset: The Kindred