Free Fall
A Sniper's Story from Chechnya
Nicolai Lilin author Jamie Richards translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Published:5th Jul '12
Should be back in stock very soon
A unique and remarkable account of the war in Chechnya by the internationally acclaimed author of Siberian Education
Free Fall tells the brutal engrossing story of the Second Chechen War, through the eyes of a young Russian Soldier. Nicolai Lilin was trained as a sniper in an unorthodox Russian Special Forces regiment called the Saboteurs. This hardened and close-knit band of brothers, operating beyond the control of military code, faced mercenary fighters, anti-personnel mines and torture of the most extreme kind.
Free Fall offers a sniper's-eye view of one of the most controversial wars in living memory. It is unflinching, unforgiving and unputdownable.
Extraordinary...Lilin serves up brilliantly harrowing set-pieces, but also illuminates the soul of the warrior. * * Scotland on Sunday * *
A pitiless account . . . pierced with firm feelings for his 'family' of fellow saboteurs - as well as an existential sorrow over a war that made so little sense that peace, when it finally came, felt incomprehensible. * * Metro * *
A young Russian soldier's brutal memoir. * * Times * *
Force yourself to forget about categories of good and evil, you have to just be there and read . . . produces a thrill of pleasure that is hard to forget. -- Roberto Saviano, author of GOMORRAH * * [on SIBERIAN EDUCATION] * *
Lilin's astonishing account of his life takes you into some very strange worlds; frightening, violent and yet with spirited moments of redemption which both offer hope and keep you reading . . . a breath-taking memoir. -- Misha Glenny * * Mail on Sunday [on SIBERIAN EDUCATION] * *
A marvellous and illuminating book . . .This story makes most of what we call true crime writing seem insipid and effete. -- Irvine Welsh * * [on SIBERIAN EDUCATION] * *
ISBN: 9781847679727
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 25mm
Weight: 277g
416 pages
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