What do you think?
Rate this book
Against the Odds: Survival on the Russian Front 1944-1945
John Stieber was twelve-year-old schoolboy in Ireland when he was sent to secondary school in Germany. Caught there by the outbreak of the Second World War, he was unable to return to his parents for seven years.
In due course, he was called to serve in an anti-aircraft battery and in the National Labour Service. Just after his eighteenth birthday, he was sent to the Russian Front with the elite Paratrooper and Tank Division, Hermann Göring. He lived through an amazing series of events, escaping death many times and was one of the few survivors of his division when the war ended.
In this narrative of his early life, John Stieber describes how he went from a carefree childhood through increasing hardships, until every day of his life became a challenge for survival.
In due course, he was called to serve in an anti-aircraft battery and in the National Labour Service. Just after his eighteenth birthday, he was sent to the Russian Front with the elite Paratrooper and Tank Division, Hermann Göring. He lived through an amazing series of events, escaping death many times and was one of the few survivors of his division when the war ended.
In this narrative of his early life, John Stieber describes how he went from a carefree childhood through increasing hardships, until every day of his life became a challenge for survival.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
505 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 23, 2018
"AGAINST THE ODDS" is a story that seems too incredible to have been real. But as the saying goes: Truth is often stranger than fiction. And so, it was with John Stieber, who, along with his older sister Erika, had been born in Czechoslovakia, the son of an engineer who had served bravely in the Austro-Hungarian Army during the First World War. Stieber's father, owing to his engineering expertise, was given an opportunity to work in England during the mid-1920s. As a result, Stieber's family lived in England for several years. Stieber himself states that English came to be his first language, though both his parents were native German speakers. (Both Stieber and his sister would acquire fluency in both languages, which later proved advantageous to them during the early postwar years.)
Stieber's father completed his contract and returned to Czechoslovakia in the early 1930s. Stieber struggled to learn Czech in school and admits that he didn't enjoy his time in school there very much. His time in Czechoslovakia proved to be brief, because his father's employer had another job assignment for him to undertake, this one in Ireland. Stieber came to love Ireland and would live there for about 6 years. Sometime in 1939, his parents decided to enroll both Stieber and his sister into secondary school in Germany. With war being declared in September, Stieber and his sister would be stuck in Germany for the duration. (Their parents remained in Ireland, which they later made their home.)
After Stieber completed his studies, he was called up to serve in an anti-aircraft battery in 1943. He also served in the National Labor Service (Arbeitsdienst). Early in the following year, age 18, Stieber entered military service with the Fallschirm-Panzerkorps Hermann Göring and is sent to the Russian Front, where over the next year, he has many harrowing experiences and escapes death on several occasions. Indeed, Stieber would emerge from the war as one of the few men in his unit to survive and avoid being placed in a POW camp.
I very much enjoyed reading this memoir, which I highly recommend to anyone who loves human interest stories.
Stieber's father completed his contract and returned to Czechoslovakia in the early 1930s. Stieber struggled to learn Czech in school and admits that he didn't enjoy his time in school there very much. His time in Czechoslovakia proved to be brief, because his father's employer had another job assignment for him to undertake, this one in Ireland. Stieber came to love Ireland and would live there for about 6 years. Sometime in 1939, his parents decided to enroll both Stieber and his sister into secondary school in Germany. With war being declared in September, Stieber and his sister would be stuck in Germany for the duration. (Their parents remained in Ireland, which they later made their home.)
After Stieber completed his studies, he was called up to serve in an anti-aircraft battery in 1943. He also served in the National Labor Service (Arbeitsdienst). Early in the following year, age 18, Stieber entered military service with the Fallschirm-Panzerkorps Hermann Göring and is sent to the Russian Front, where over the next year, he has many harrowing experiences and escapes death on several occasions. Indeed, Stieber would emerge from the war as one of the few men in his unit to survive and avoid being placed in a POW camp.
I very much enjoyed reading this memoir, which I highly recommend to anyone who loves human interest stories.
May 3, 2020
Thought provoking
A story of an European boy who through no fault of his own had to make decisions that would limit impact on himself and others. Whether the account of his experiences are accurate is not for me to say, but he is certainly accurate in his mapping of the campaign. A man with divided loyalties forced to do harm by a totalitarian state, he appears to have made a choice whereby he would defend civilians and his comrades. Not enough men like this left.
A story of an European boy who through no fault of his own had to make decisions that would limit impact on himself and others. Whether the account of his experiences are accurate is not for me to say, but he is certainly accurate in his mapping of the campaign. A man with divided loyalties forced to do harm by a totalitarian state, he appears to have made a choice whereby he would defend civilians and his comrades. Not enough men like this left.
August 31, 2025
This was an interesting book! It was different to read the life of a German soldier, something I hadn't really done in the past. I'd read books related to the troops, but not an individual's account. It's a good reminder that not every German in WWII was evil. It's a reminder that there were many people in the country who had pride in their country, not Hitler or the Nazis. A few times he gets a little bogged down with extra details, but not too bad. I think what helped was the fact that English was his native language, so the writing was much better.
September 8, 2020
Good for those into Military History
The author's account is easy to read and believable.
The circumstances with his parents sending their 2 children into Germany in 1939 is ridiculous and shameful. I don't doubt that this account is true, I just cannot fathom why parents would do such a thing.
That being said, if military history is your passion as it is mine, give this one a read.
The author's account is easy to read and believable.
The circumstances with his parents sending their 2 children into Germany in 1939 is ridiculous and shameful. I don't doubt that this account is true, I just cannot fathom why parents would do such a thing.
That being said, if military history is your passion as it is mine, give this one a read.
March 29, 2020
Interesting because it isn't just about the actual fighting but before the war and the aftermath. There is the obligatory absence of knowledge of the Holocaust and any cruelty by Axis forces in the countries they were occupying. Only mentions of Russian barbarism. Well told but little emotion or soul came through to me.
February 23, 2021
A new POV
Everything I've read about WWII has been from an American or allied point of view. We've all heard stories of soldiers being soldiers no matter what side they're fighting for. Here's the proof. Interesting insight into the mind of a conscript.
Everything I've read about WWII has been from an American or allied point of view. We've all heard stories of soldiers being soldiers no matter what side they're fighting for. Here's the proof. Interesting insight into the mind of a conscript.
January 10, 2022
Against the Odds es el relato vibrante y auténtico de un testigo de excepción que vivió en primera persona las penurias de los soldados alemanes durante los últimos meses de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Con un estilo claro y directo, John Stieber nos cuenta sus recuerdos como soldado en un Ejército alemán que se desmoronaba ante el empuje de las tropas soviéticas.
Aunque el libro es muy interesante y mantiene al lector enganchado, el principal defecto que en mi opinión tiene este libro es que Stieber no es un buen escritor. Si bien esto no es un problema en la mayor parte del libro en el que la acción se impone en el relato, los primeros capítulos en los que habla de su infancia y su vida como estudiante en Alemania son bastante malos. No obstante, una vez superados estos capítulos el libro es interesante y ameno.
Me habría gustado que Stieber le hubiera dedicado un mayor protagonismo a los días de finales de abril en los que el Reich colapsó. Sin embargo el autor despacha estas 2-3 semanas tan decisivas desde un punto de vista histórico con un par de páginas, explayándose más en su huida hacia el Oeste en mayo de 1945 y en sus posteriores esfuerzos para reunirse con sus padres una vez que ya se encontraba en territorio controlado por los Aliados.
En resumen, Against the Odds es un buen libro sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial, con un relato cándido y original sobre la experiencia de un joven soldado alemán en los últimos meses de la contienda. Sin embargo, no está a la altura de otras memorias bélicas como las de Ernst Jünger o Erich Maria Remarque.
Aunque el libro es muy interesante y mantiene al lector enganchado, el principal defecto que en mi opinión tiene este libro es que Stieber no es un buen escritor. Si bien esto no es un problema en la mayor parte del libro en el que la acción se impone en el relato, los primeros capítulos en los que habla de su infancia y su vida como estudiante en Alemania son bastante malos. No obstante, una vez superados estos capítulos el libro es interesante y ameno.
Me habría gustado que Stieber le hubiera dedicado un mayor protagonismo a los días de finales de abril en los que el Reich colapsó. Sin embargo el autor despacha estas 2-3 semanas tan decisivas desde un punto de vista histórico con un par de páginas, explayándose más en su huida hacia el Oeste en mayo de 1945 y en sus posteriores esfuerzos para reunirse con sus padres una vez que ya se encontraba en territorio controlado por los Aliados.
En resumen, Against the Odds es un buen libro sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial, con un relato cándido y original sobre la experiencia de un joven soldado alemán en los últimos meses de la contienda. Sin embargo, no está a la altura de otras memorias bélicas como las de Ernst Jünger o Erich Maria Remarque.
September 8, 2020
Most interesting story from a different perspective than most I have read. John Stieber was a most unusual individual who was trapped into the German military by extraordinary circumstances but used great powers of observation to prepare him for the trying times he faced. He survived due to wit and quick thinking and was able to come out on the other side of the war while many around him did not survive. He provided the perspective that many Germans in the military were poorly informed of the actions and leadership of Germany knew, but never shared with the foot soldier or the German people. Worth spending the time to read.
February 25, 2020
Very interesting account.
For a book with no dialogue, it was surprisingly easy to read. The author does it a good job of relaying his experience.
Like other books I’ve read about World War II from the German soldier point of view, this is another example of a German soldier not knowing about the atrocities that were committed by Germans. There is a lot of talk about Russian atrocities. The author seemed oblivious to what Germans were doing, and perhaps that is the truth.
Overall interesting account. Mr. Steiber clearly had luck on his side.
For a book with no dialogue, it was surprisingly easy to read. The author does it a good job of relaying his experience.
Like other books I’ve read about World War II from the German soldier point of view, this is another example of a German soldier not knowing about the atrocities that were committed by Germans. There is a lot of talk about Russian atrocities. The author seemed oblivious to what Germans were doing, and perhaps that is the truth.
Overall interesting account. Mr. Steiber clearly had luck on his side.
February 17, 2022
Amazing Story
This is an outstanding story.
The narrative is excellent, it has a little suspense, surprise, excitement, a little sadness, and contains a lot of interesting, little known information, one example being how the mobile FLAK units worked in the Division Hermann Goring (sorry, no umlaut), all in a well written, easy to read book.
I highly recommend this book, especially to those who wish to know a little about the German war on the Eastern front from a different perspective.
This is an outstanding story.
The narrative is excellent, it has a little suspense, surprise, excitement, a little sadness, and contains a lot of interesting, little known information, one example being how the mobile FLAK units worked in the Division Hermann Goring (sorry, no umlaut), all in a well written, easy to read book.
I highly recommend this book, especially to those who wish to know a little about the German war on the Eastern front from a different perspective.
February 7, 2021
What an interesting book
The book is written in the first person and soon you like him. He claims he didn't know about the concentration camps and other disturbing facts and that all of the German soldiers he had contact with were exemplary. They neither looted or raped. Maybe that was in fact his experience. It was interesting to read a view of the war by another person who was there. I recommend this book.
The book is written in the first person and soon you like him. He claims he didn't know about the concentration camps and other disturbing facts and that all of the German soldiers he had contact with were exemplary. They neither looted or raped. Maybe that was in fact his experience. It was interesting to read a view of the war by another person who was there. I recommend this book.
July 2, 2021
Luck Personified
Hard to believe one person could be so lucky and happy throughout his life, particularly fighting on the eastern front and travelling so many dangerous miles to escape captivity. Almost seems too unbelievable to be a true story given the sadness and horrors so well described in so many other WW2 writings. That said I did enjoy the story very much and would recommend.
Hard to believe one person could be so lucky and happy throughout his life, particularly fighting on the eastern front and travelling so many dangerous miles to escape captivity. Almost seems too unbelievable to be a true story given the sadness and horrors so well described in so many other WW2 writings. That said I did enjoy the story very much and would recommend.
January 27, 2022
interesting perspective and worth reading
I enjoy such books where the story is told from the other side. I found some comments jarring and the author was very sure to tell us that he is a "good German" on a number of occasions. However some little known facts are highlighted and the authors attitude to other nationalities interesting. Overall a good read and I finished it in a day.
I enjoy such books where the story is told from the other side. I found some comments jarring and the author was very sure to tell us that he is a "good German" on a number of occasions. However some little known facts are highlighted and the authors attitude to other nationalities interesting. Overall a good read and I finished it in a day.
September 16, 2022
A fine story, well written account of one young man's experience in WW2.
I liked the tale of a young man whose service to his country carried through the late 1930s to the end of the Second World War in the Wehrmacht. The tales of ordinary soldiers brings home the fact that we are much more alike than we are different. The author offers a very readable story that is helpful if you care to know how so many German soldiers viewed their experiences.
I liked the tale of a young man whose service to his country carried through the late 1930s to the end of the Second World War in the Wehrmacht. The tales of ordinary soldiers brings home the fact that we are much more alike than we are different. The author offers a very readable story that is helpful if you care to know how so many German soldiers viewed their experiences.
January 23, 2021
In my life time I have read more than a 1000 books. This definitely in the top 100. Very well put together and informative. The author was in his early 80,s when he wrote this and more than 60 years since he experienced these events. Wish John Stieber was still alive so that I could say to him , sir thank you very much. To everyone out there, do read this book. It’s excellent!!!
October 5, 2024
Throughly enjoyed this book..
The events and memories in this book are personal and wrote like a story.. it’s often easy to forget that this was someone’s life. Some incredible events.
Interesting view from a German perspective.. which I often didn’t take in to account.
A credit to an interesting period of a man’s life. A moment in history which is recorded for time to come.
The events and memories in this book are personal and wrote like a story.. it’s often easy to forget that this was someone’s life. Some incredible events.
Interesting view from a German perspective.. which I often didn’t take in to account.
A credit to an interesting period of a man’s life. A moment in history which is recorded for time to come.
August 27, 2019
Fantastic story
It's always amazing to read from all sides of the events of war. Too many times propaganda dehumanizes the opposition, especially for the winning side. In this book a young man makes an extraordinary adventure all the while trying to stay alive.
It's always amazing to read from all sides of the events of war. Too many times propaganda dehumanizes the opposition, especially for the winning side. In this book a young man makes an extraordinary adventure all the while trying to stay alive.
April 5, 2020
A young man caught up in a war he did not ask for
This author takes you on his miraculous journey and I use this word literally because if there is a God he had greater plans for this fine young man other tha dead on the Russian steppes or Freezing in a Siberian Gulag.
This author takes you on his miraculous journey and I use this word literally because if there is a God he had greater plans for this fine young man other tha dead on the Russian steppes or Freezing in a Siberian Gulag.
May 25, 2020
Fantastic read, sure to challenge black and white thinking about WW2 German Soldiers
This book reads like butter and the story is both incredible and well paced, as if the author had been writing for decades. Read it and rethink what you know about German s Soldiers in WW2.
This book reads like butter and the story is both incredible and well paced, as if the author had been writing for decades. Read it and rethink what you know about German s Soldiers in WW2.
September 16, 2020
Luck of the Irish
John had one lucky situation one after another kept his head and did not go flying off the handle. Good book to read at night when taking the dog out for his business meetings
John had one lucky situation one after another kept his head and did not go flying off the handle. Good book to read at night when taking the dog out for his business meetings
December 29, 2020
Detailed story about the author's life in the upper-tier Hermann Goering division during WW2. Interesting tale, considering he rarely seems to have run low on fuel, food or other supplies. And while fighting Russians, I was expecting further east on the Eastern Front when I read "Russian Front."
July 13, 2021
Well worth reading
Initially I thought the book was a little bit tedious. But, it got going very quickly and became one of the best stories I have read in recent times. It is well worth it. The things the author lived through were amazing.
Initially I thought the book was a little bit tedious. But, it got going very quickly and became one of the best stories I have read in recent times. It is well worth it. The things the author lived through were amazing.
April 23, 2022
Against the odds is good title
The Germans on the eastern front had a particularly hard time--fighting Russians who often took no prisoners while worrying about their relatives under Allied bombings. The partition of Germany after the war added that insult to injury.
The Germans on the eastern front had a particularly hard time--fighting Russians who often took no prisoners while worrying about their relatives under Allied bombings. The partition of Germany after the war added that insult to injury.
April 28, 2022
A truly excellent story of a gentleman whose faith overcame all obsticals
How faith and a believe in Christian values will overcome everything. Absolutely everything.
My father told me the truth and I survived
In a similar way
How faith and a believe in Christian values will overcome everything. Absolutely everything.
My father told me the truth and I survived
In a similar way
April 2, 2023
Brave Germans defend their land from cruel Russian killing and raping civilians. How about 20 million civilians of USSR killed by Germane army? No, he never heard about that. Hypocrite, liar, garbage human being.
July 24, 2023
A great journey of discovery in confusing times
If you ever wonder what was going through the minds of young German soldier this is a great read. Just how they got where they did and what they thought they were doing.
If you ever wonder what was going through the minds of young German soldier this is a great read. Just how they got where they did and what they thought they were doing.
January 6, 2019
Story unlike any other.
This is a very interesting, and well written story of a man's unlikely survival in under very unusual wartime circumstances.
This is a very interesting, and well written story of a man's unlikely survival in under very unusual wartime circumstances.
December 29, 2019
Very well written , survival against overwhelming odds. Unbelievable hardships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2020
Good read!
A slightly different, but interesting read on someone caught up in the German army.
One very lucky fellow! Worth your time!
A slightly different, but interesting read on someone caught up in the German army.
One very lucky fellow! Worth your time!
Read
March 30, 2020Unbelievably lucky man quite the story
Do not expect the usual tale of the frozen Eastern Front. Just a lucky lad and a different tale to tell
well worth read.
......
Do not expect the usual tale of the frozen Eastern Front. Just a lucky lad and a different tale to tell
well worth read.
......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews