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  • Until the Eyes Shut

  • Memories of a Machine Gunner on the Eastern Front, 1943-45
  • Written by: Andreas Hartinger
  • Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon
  • Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (12 ratings)

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Until the Eyes Shut cover art

Until the Eyes Shut

Written by: Andreas Hartinger
Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon
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Publisher's Summary

The veteran tells his grandson about his World War II experiences, without pathos but with gripping, brutal honesty.

The rulers’ mistakes are paid for with the blood of the people. This is shown in history both recent and ancient, time and time again. It was no different for an Austrian mountain farmer’s son who was thrown into the carnage of the Eastern Front. He was in the prime of his youth, and the German Reich was already close to losing the war.

In ripe-old age, he remembers those dark hours that have haunted him throughout his life. Manning his machine gun in merciless struggles with a superior enemy or fighting for survival in brutal close combat, reduced to basest instincts. He also remembers the rock-solid comradeship with his mountain troop, the unexpected gestures of humanity, and an insane destructiveness at a time when the world was out of joint.

This ruthless, honest, and touching real-life account of a simple frontline soldier serves as a reminder to stand up for peace at all times, and to despise war. Until the eyes shut...

About the author

Andreas Hartinger had a profound interest in contemporary history from a young age. During his professional assignments in various crises around the world, he has seen with his own eyes how war takes humanity hostage. He and his grandfather Hans Kahr wrote down the elder’s war memories together. It was painstaking work, and it involved innumerable unsettling conversations. What started off as a family project is now available to a broad audience.

©2019 Andreas Hartinger (P)2020 Andreas Hartinger

What listeners say about Until the Eyes Shut

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Fantastic!

super compelling read, the picture painted of the madness on the eastern front was articulated and re told in an amazing manner

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Intensely moving and personal

I’ve read many books from the German perspective of WWII and this was one of my favourites. He managed to put into words how horrible the Eastern front was.

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intense

Very intense reflection of the opposing reality of the German soldier and his experiences with the end of world War ii

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