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41 of 47 found the following review helpful:
 A stirring, personal account of WWII like we've never heard. Sep 09, 2004
By Sherrie Craig
SHADES OF GRAY is a remarkable story of a young man, a Mormon Prussian, Art Naujoks, and his battle to survive World War II as a soldier on the German side. It is vivid with detail of what it was like to be a German soldier on the Eastern Front where Art endured miles of walking on frozen legs, months of long marches, several severe injuries, incredible lonliness as he longed for home and peace, being brave while in great fear in the heat of famous fierce battles on the Ukrainian Front, as well as surviving the war against incredible odds for 4 years. He sadly watched all his friends and a love interest perish in the struggle. All through the war, he turned to his steadfast Mormon faith to see him through impossible odds where he "did his duty" as he was called to do and survived. Michael Eldredge is a sensitive, versatile, and most talented author with a gift for his craft in many literary arenas, as well as an Historian. He's taken Art's memoirs and brought the reader along in step with historical accuracy of the battles and locations with maps and treasured pictures of Art and his friends and family at that time period. You can be assured of true facts and historical insights as you live through this up close and personal WWII struggle of Art's. This well written book is up there with the best of Steinbeck's nonfiction works. It will teach you, renew your compassion and appreciation for all good people, and keep you on the edge of your nerves. I highly recommend SHADES OF GRAY!
28 of 32 found the following review helpful:
 Good content; poorly published Aug 04, 2006
By CFL
"CFL"
Interesting autobiography-biography of a German soldier on the Eastern front. Written from the unique perspective of a Mormon in the German army. An East Prussian Mormon at that, raised in the Memel area of Prussia-Lithuania. Readers who have read Guy Sajer's "The Forgotten Soldier" may remember the intensity and horror of the fighting around Memel towards the end of the war.
The author's situation was fascinating, since Mormonism advocates obedience to governmental authorities. Hence, Naujok being under Nazi German authority, was in a difficult situation of serving a morally questionable regime.
My only complaint was with the poor quality of the book itself. This was the fault of Mill Creek Press in Salt Lake City, Utah. The quality of the binding was poor, with pages coming out on a regular basis. Since my copy was brand new, this was wholly unacceptable.
Overall -- good read, but avoid books by this publisher.
-CFL
34 of 43 found the following review helpful:
Sensitive and enlightening Jun 16, 2005
By booklady
"Booklady"
I discovered this book while judging a writers contest. I coundn't put it down because it is, quite simply, one of the absolute best books I've ever read. I am not a Mormon, but I am a World War II buff. Over the past 60 years, I've wondered what it was like being a German during Hitler's reign of death and terror. This book is one German soldier's memoirs of his experiences on the Eastern Front. At the end, I was saddened to learn that he has passed on; I so wanted to write him and let him know what his book has meant to me. As a young woman in college, I read Hitler's book about his plans, and it changed me........I thought forever. Now that I've read Shades of Gray, I have been changed again and turned around in my thinking about the German people and my own German roots.
Read this book. Please. It is without peer.
12 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Response to Review Aug 08, 2006
By MSE
"Mill Creek Press"
Mill Creek Press is a micro-publisher that publishes books manufactured by BookSurge, an Amazon.com company. Recently, BookSurge has been undergoing a move to a new location in Charleston, SC. The move was necessary to cope with the explosive growth of BookSurge in the last two years. Occasionally, during this move, a POD book as been shipped that didn't meet BookSurge's normal quality control standards. Please be patient, and if you do happen to get a book with pages falling out, kindly return it to BookSurge for a replacement. The new address will be available on the BookSurge website shortly (www.booksurge.com), if it is not already posted. Thank you for your cooperation and patience during this move. Mill Creek Press
17 of 24 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Read in all Ways!! Oct 12, 2004
By Shanna VanDyke
"Shanna V"
This book is such a wonderful story from such a unique perspective of a Prussian soldier fighting for a country he is stripped of. This book is filled with an emotional and gripping story of a mans service and survival while riding through a history lesson of the realities of war on the Eastern Front in the 1940's. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It truly makes you appreciate your freedom, those who fight for it, and those who are on God's side. I hope to see more from this wonderful and extraordinary author.
See all 10 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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