Lady Death

“Lyudmila Pavlichenko was not just any sniper, however, for she was to become the highest-scoring female sniper with 309 official kills. Official kills, it should be noted, were those observed by a second party.“ ― Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Lady Death

You might have heard of American Sniper. And even Simo Häyhä. Now meet Lady Death. Fascinating tale of Russia's most efficient female sniper.

This book made me feel like I had been living under a rock because I had no idea there were female snipers. And quite a lot of them. This book transports you in time to Russia in World War 2 and it is interesting to learn what Pavlichenko thought in some situations and what was life like in general.

“When I walked along the streets of Sevastopol, kids would always stop me and ask me earnestly: 'How many did you kill yesterday?
I would give them a detailed report of my operations as a sniper. One day I had to tell them honestly that I had fired at the enemy for several days.
'That's bad', said the children in one chorus.
One of them, the smallest, added sternly: 'That's very bad. Nazis should be killed every day.'“ ― Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Lady Death

I warmly recommend this book to fans of history.
4/5 stars

Thank you Greenhill Books and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review!

A classic was once defined as a book you remember starting to read but you never stop reading and re-reading. This is such a book.

The book is the autobiography of the Russian sniper Ludmilla Pavlichenko. Pavlichenko was exceptional in many regards, not least for her ability to kill hundreds of Fascists during the Second World War. Her skill in marksmanship was a natural in born ability, but her military training and understanding given to her in her youth by her father created a very acute observer of the start of Fascist Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. The level of detail is only matched by Pvlichenko's ability to write with precision and clarity. On this level the book opens to the reader the sense of being caught up and thrown into the cataclysm which occurred. The gradual sense of the immensity of what occurred and the level of sacrifice the situation demanded is given with a compassionate regard and at the same time professional military detail. There is no other book I can think of that is remarkable in this sense to this degree.

Then there is her ability to speak English which gave her the chance to become deep friends with Eleanor Roosevelt when on a tour of the USA to promote a second front in the war. This odd friendship forms most of the second half of the book. From the depths of war torn hell to sitting half naked on a bed sewing alterations on pajamas with Eleanor Roosevelt you probably will not find a more bizarre combination in a biography.

Quite apart form all that it is very well written. I would have to say this is one of the top five books I've read in my fifty years of life. This book is a masterpiece of literature. To such a life the literary quality should be exceptional and it is. This is a book you want to read over and over.

"Enemies are always enemies. It is in the nature of women not only to create new life, but also, if necessary, to defend their children, their family, their homeland. Our state had given me that opportunity."

Lyudmila Pavlichenko aka Lady Death was a Russian sniper during world war two with 309 confirmed kills. This is her memoir/autobiography. She was a no nonsense, formidable lady.

"Lady Death" eBook was published in 2018 (I believe that a Russian version was published much earlier, but I have not been able to determine when) and was written in Russian by Lyudmila Pavlichenko (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyudmila_Pavlichenko). The English version was revised by Martin Pegler. Mr. Pegler had published 16 non-fiction books, all of which deal with the history of firearms.

I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story covers the years of World War II at various locations on the Eastern front. It is told from the perspective of the autobiography author, Lyudmila Pavlichenko.

Pavlichenko was the most successful Russian female sniper of World War II with 309 confirmed kills. Some believe her actual total was closer to 500. This is her story, beginning with her as a girl before the war, then covering her exploits during the war and a little of her life afterward. No doubt her academic training as a historian helped immensely with her autobiography.

Her story is filled with a great deal of loyalty to and patriotism for Soviet Russia. I thought that this was a very interesting look at World War II. The Easter European Front is not one I have read a great deal about. Her story is remarkable. Her time with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt while touring the US was very interesting. For a historical autobiography, this read well. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.

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Lady Death was a Soviet female sniper during WWII, and as such, recorded a record 309 kills, before she was removed from the front and sent on a speaking tour of the US and Europe during the latter half of the war, before going back to school, and finishing her life as a historian. She was an enthusiastic Communist, and seemed to think it an honor to sacrifice almost everyone/everything for her country, which can be a bit difficult for modern free peoples to understand or commiserate with. However, to be so passionate about her beliefs, when others were not so much so, is commendable, and not so easy to find in these times. Most of us will never know what it is like to live through a war-torn country, losing family members, homes, everything, to a relentless foe, and reading this helped to see, though the author's eyes, just what ordinary people endured, for the sake of their country and their families.

This book captured the life of one of the only women snipers during that time period. It was a remarkable life and one that was a joy to read about.

A fascinating read through the memoirs of a truly bad ass woman. If you liked American Sniper, then I suggest this book. If you like Russian history, I recommend this book. If you like military history, then seriously, get this book. What a rarity to have a woman in this sort of position years ago. Lady Death is readable and informative.