Red Sniper on the Eastern Front: The Memoirs of Joseph Pilyushin

by Joseph Pilyushin

Joseph Pilyushin, a top Red Army sniper in the ruthless fight against the Germans on the Eastern Front, was an exceptional soldier and he has a remarkable story to tell. His first-hand account of his wartime service gives a graphic insight into his lethal skill with a rifle and into the desperate fight put up by Soviet forces to defend Leningrad.

Pilyushin, who lived in Leningrad with his family, was already 35 years old when the war broke out and he was drafted. He started in the Red Army as a scout, but once he had demonstrated his marksmanship and steady nerve, he became a sniper. He served throughout the Leningrad siege, from the late 1941 when the Wehrmacht's advance was halted just short of the city to its liberation during the Soviet offensive of 1944.

His descriptions of gruelling front-line life, of his fellow soldiers and of his sniping missions are balanced by his vivid recollections of the protracted suffering of Leningrad's imprisoned population and of the grief that was visited upon him and his family.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Biography, Military Fiction, Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Adam Juedemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inside look into what life was like for a soldier on the front lines during WWII. A sad, tragic tale of one of Russia's top snipers. This book was dictated during the 1950's after the author lost his eyesight from an injury from the war. I was surprised at how eloquently this book was written and to see what some of these soldiers endured is simply amazing.

[CHAD L MCLEISH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

Easily one of the best WW2 books I've had the privilege to read. Admittedly I measure these books less for grammar than the stories and details of battle, though this book was pretty solid. I only wish it had not ended so abruptly, and that we could have discovered the rest of the painful, yet triumphant story. Great information about the life of the Red Army soldiers and the Russian people. These people were likely more warm and caring towards their Comrades than we give credit for, though they lived a brutal existence with the cold climate and poor conditions. Having read a number of both German and Russian books, they each point the finger at horrific atrocities committed by the other. War is well, and maybe both dictators should have planned to stay home and not gone to war. That wasn't in the script, but as a result we have these stories from real survivors. And what stories they are.

[Michal]

After reading half of the book I do not know anything personal about the author. Also, I suspect the whole portrayal is quite idealized.

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent eye witness account of the Red Army fighting off Army Group North as they push and encircle Leningrad.
While the eyewitness accounts of Joseph are gripping I found some serious discrepancies. Why can’t I find any of the snipers including himself? Also, the point where the siege is broken is 43 I had a problem with. When reading the 900 day siege, it’s true that the Russians did break open the encirclement a few times but it never lasted. All supplies had to be brought in from Lake Ladoga until 1944. And why is there only one picture of the him? Seems to be there would have been one after the war showing him and his new family.
And then there are the grammatical issues all through the book. Sadly, this seems to be a trend even from traditional publishers. Do they detract from the story? At time, yes. This needs to be cleaned up.
Overall, it’s not a bad read but there are some serious holes.

[Frank Korn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Red Sniper on the Eastern Front

Red Sniper on the Eastern Front This book is a typical WWII Soviet war memoir. Reads more like a novel than a wartime factual account. Interesting but not informative. There is nothing to be learned here regarding Soviet sniper tactics, training and deployment. There nothing regarding specific rifle, scope or ammunition specifics. This is an easy read containing little Content.

[Bob Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read well presented. It take you on a journey to the very heart of the struggle that was the Russian front. Complex and captivating it brings you close to the essence of the life and complex relationships during the second world war. I have much respect an feelings of great satisfaction to know their sacrifices have driven the threat of total conquest our of Russian

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

This is the third soldier's memoir I have read about the Eastern Front. I enjoyed it even though the style was like the other two a bit disjointed. I think perhaps that it would read better in Russian.

[Andrew Parnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A definite piece of wartime propaganda, every Russian was a selfless hero, who even was starving or dying would make more sacrifices for the greater good. At points it was laughable.

[Brian Totten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful!!

More like a novel than memoir - Heartbreaking never the less .... A good read, good length, never a dull moment ...

[bill edisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

very emotive bood

[robert kotch · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT.

[Sarp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight to the Siege of Leningrad. the book brought tears to my eyes a couple of times. compared to the memoirs genre the writing is superb. highly recommended.

[Laurence · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too drawn out, this strikes me as being in the Russian storytelling tradition, with long passages without saying anything particularly of consequence.
That said, it does convey the chaos and straight up lack of information the frontline grunt had in the Red Army. The constant desperate skirmishes, the gruff yet good natured soldiers, the rolling of shag cigarettes while waiting for the next action, are vivid.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This was an interesting book. There was no communist party slogans with Russia is the best etc. Rather this was a true life story of an ordinary man who became the best sniper in the Red army. Really well written as it brought you back to the war years and how they thought and lived in those times. What was intersting was his take on the war and the comaraderie that existed within his unit and the Red army. It was heart breaking but uplifting at the same time with the ups and downs of the army life and what happened to him over this period from 41 to 44.
If you are a person who enjoys WW2 books this is one for you. Told in an honest voice over the most important part of the war in the Eastern Front.

[Dennis Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt soldier's tale

A fine combat autobiography by the Russian sniper Joseph Pilyushin who fought the Battle for Leningrad. Pilyushin's account provides a simultaneously delightful and grim account of comrades at arms defending their surrounded homes against fascist troops. Definitely worth it.

[Willpintar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not brilliantly written but a very good account and an interesting insight of the Russian side of sniping. Thoroughly enjoyed the read and couldn't put it down. I would recommend this to anyone, especially a sniper.

[Simon Gelling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intersesting ww2 book.The descriptions of battle scenes are shocking,and thought provoking.
There is some dificulty reading the book,due to translation/cultural diferences.Well worth reading though.

[Mazen Alloujami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoirs of a Russian sniper during the battle of Liningrad (WWII). Good as they are real, but not a high quality literature.

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good