Kirst´s second book in the four volume Gunner Asch series is distinctly darker and richer, and much better than his first. The events it describes on the Russian front perhaps make for a faster moving and more dramatic plot, but there is also license to develop strong characterisations, of men and women in extreme circumstances. At points it approaches Catch 22 in its absurdity, but you know this one isn´t going to end so well. Kirst´s theme here is honor, patriotism and human virtue in battle, and behind the lines. I am no fan of Kirst´s later work, but these early novels have energy and honesty, and seem to be a genuine attempt by Kirst to recover some sense of national pride and morality out of the morass into which Germany had sunk. ( )