Product Description

This book is the memoirs of a German caught up in the events of World War II. As an artillery spotter on the Eastern Front, Art Naujoks survived Stalingrad, and the horrors of being trapped behind enemy lines. As a Mormon, he was subject to ridicule and contempt from the German public. But when it came time to serve his country, right or wrong, Art stepped up to do his duty. In this remarkable memoir, Art Naujoks details his battlefield engagements, injuries, and his tremendous will to live through the nightmare of the Eastern Front.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97106 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-02
• Released on: 2004-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Customer Reviews

A stirring, personal account of WWII like we've never heard.
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!

Good content; poorly published
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

Sensitive and enlightening
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.