Armageddon: A Novel of Berlin Paperback – September 27, 2011

Finally, I read Armageddon on my Kindle, a novel I had wanted read to for a very long time. The book covers the events that took place in Berlin from 1945 to 1949. The novel begins with Sean O’Sullivan, whose brother Liam was killed by the Germans, being sent to Germany in 1944. Soon after that, his second brother Tim is killed, also, when his plane is downed. The death of both his brothers and his discovery of a concentration camp leaves Sean as a German-hater. Still throughout the novel, he does his best to turn Germany’s fate around to help build a new democratic nation, but when it comes to his falling in love with the German girl Ernestine whose father was a Nazi, he can’t find a way to overlook his brothers’ demises or his hatred of the Germans.Although the above thread runs throughout the novel, there are many other interpersonal situations, relationships, and fantastic scenes because the book is much more than a failed love story. It is full of history, the clash of ideologies between Russians and the West, the good Germans versus the bad ones, and the ruin of a country and society after a terrible war. More than anything this story is about the success of the Berlin Airlift and indomitable spirit of humanity. The novel also boasts hordes of characters, most of whom meticulously drawn and presented.As the novel’s general plot, Interaction among the people of Western nations and Russians, though having started in friendly terms, deteriorates over the years due to the ulterior motives of the Russians, leading to blockades and the airlift, which is precisely and methodically explained and shown through the actions of the characters. In fact, I am awed by the amount and expanse of research that must have gone into it. Plus the writing is exquisite as is the construction of the plot.The book ends with the ending of the Russian blockade and the Airlift, signaling the beginning of the Cold War, aptly described by a General’s report. Even if one has read many novels and nonfiction about the aftermath of World War II, a reader may be able to find additional eye-openers in this book, which is close to 700 pages. Be warned that it takes a while to read it.

Learned about the events which created divided Germany, and the gigantic differences in perceptions each group had after the war, depending entirely on their experiences and social biases. Epic story telling that enriched my world view.The writing itself is not the literary quality one could say constitutes great writing novel writing. What lacks is depth of personalities of the many characters in the story, though each goes through various extreme traumas and soul searching trials. The people in the tale come across as though props in a screenplay...rather like the staccato lines deliveries of actors in the black & white film era of the 1940’sThere is also a noticeable reliance on cliche sex scenarios - the women are all horny and seductive but broken in various ways, burning with passion, the men are for the most part heroic, driven, dashing and rakish. It seemed a gimmick to pepper up the story more than a natural outgrowth of the plot lines. (Like, writing about the reconstruction of Japan or anywhere devastated after war, then devoting 1/3 of the pages to various romantic conquestsUris is a story teller and historian, a very good one at that...this book offers a deeply edifying experience. Unfortunately the genre and time of writing perhaps was not one for finely tuned internal description.So 4 Stars for the tinny writing....but certainly yes, I am glad I read it and look forward to my next Uris book.

“There is no right or wrong in this place [Berlin]. There is only survival.” (Hilde)When the United States, Great Britain, France and Russia ended World War II by defeating Germany in Berlin, Berlin was supposed to be occupied by the four countries as a united front and rebuild Berlin. Russia had other ideas. The Russian Communist government immediately became the new Nazis. I was overwhelmed by the staggering death statistics and atrocities committed by both German Nazis and Russian Communists who believed lives were expendable for the good of the cause. I was amazed by the brilliant military strategy of the American and British forces (France played a smaller part.) to defeat the Nazis and their unyielding determination to defeat the Russians using psychological warfare to avoid another full scale war.I was awed by the incredible depth of the characters, both good and bad, who came alive on the page and in my mind and heart. Uris skillfully usedthe vernacular of the Russians, Germans, British and Americans which further enhanced the realism of the characters. His use of imagery, extended metaphors, irony, lyrical monologues and clever dialogue added power and beauty to the story. I admired the undaunted soldiers and civilians who faced seemingly insurmountable odds against the Russians. I loathed the communist soldiers and their superiors who tortured and murdered their victims without conscience or remorse. I pitied the brainwashed, terrorized Germans who were forced to become SS soldiers or members of the communist party.I love how historical events and the drama were seamlessly woven together throughout the novel. Amidst all the devastation and political intrigue, on both sides there were touching, tragic love stories that developed, along with complex issues of family loyalty, betrayal and forgiveness. Every chapter was heart-thumping, breath-taking and filled with anxiety.I read “Exodus and "QB VII" by Uris several years ago. I was entranced with the characters and their plights long after I finished the book. “Armageddon…” touched me the same way, if not greater, because of the timeliness of the plot and the genius of the author. This is another masterpiece.

This is a truly marvelous book. It tells the story of the Berlin airlift which has not been adequately told in my view and young generations have no clue how important this story is to the development of a free and democratic Europe. Inspiration and joy, sadness and heartache beginning to end like all of his great books.

An exciting re-read of this amazing novel! A very real and chilling account of post-war events leading up to the Berlin Wall and the brutal Soviet take-over of eastern Europe. In light of the political ambitions of today's Russian leadership (the Crimean peninsula takeover and hostilities in Ukraine), this should be required reading for anyone who doubts the need for a strong Western presence in Europe today. We could use a Sean O'Sullivan and a Harry Truman right now; too bad Ronald Reagan is not longer with us!

Too long, some portions tends to drag. Not as good as his other novels like Exodus and MILA18

One of the best books I have ever read. The reason I brought this one is because I have worn out my previous Armageddon. It is the story of occupied Germany, and particularly Berlin, from both the Western Allies and the Russian and East German view, from the occupation to the end of the Berlin Airlift. Fictional Characters against a Factual background. Very well written and, I believe, well researched.

It is a very good book. Not only does it describe the method of governing German cities after they were captured, it also describes very well the problems with the Soviet Union as the Cold War developed.

This is an amazing account of those post-war years. I thought I was quite familiar with the happenings of that day, having lived through some of it as a child, but discovered there was so much I did not know. Leon Uris obviously does his homework and his writing is unmatched by most contemporary writers.