Forest Brothers: The Account of an Anti-Soviet Lithuanian Freedom Fighter 1944-1948

by Juozas Luksa, Laima Vincė (Translator)

An autobiographical account of the armed resistance against the Soviet Union, which took place between 1944-1956. Published in English for the first time in unabridged form, Luk?a's (codename Daumantas) memoir remains one of the few reliable eye-witness accounts of the "Invisible Front", as dubbed by Soviet security forces.

At its zenith 28,000 guerilla fighters participated in battles and skirmishes throughout Lithuania, Luk?a being one of the leaders. Forest Brothers also documents the role of women in the resistance, giving equal credit to these often silent partners.

In 1948 Luk?a and two comrades broke through the Iron Curtain on the Polish border. He sought training from the French intelligence and from the CIA. Luk?a was flown back into the Soviet Union under the radar on the night of October 4, 1950. He managed to survive and operate eleven months until his near capture and death on the night of September 5, 1951. His memoir, written during 1948-1950, while he was living in hiding in Paris, describes in vivid scenes and dialogue the daily struggles of the resistance.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Memoir

623 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Vilija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful read. History has done Lithuania a disservice by ignoring her plight against the Soviets after World War II.

[Mary Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translated into English from the original Lithuanian, this is a first person account of life in Lithuania under Stalin. The Forest Brothers were the partisans who fought to regain Lithuania's independence. Juozas Luksa was one of the leaders of this underground group. The author compiled his recollections after he escaped to the West. It is a riveting read, especially for those whose family members lived in Lithuania during this terrible time.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare account of the little known history of the anti-Soviet movement in Lithuania. Juozas Luksa's wry humour and narrative not only make this a fascinating history book, but also a captivating read.

[Myrna Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ripped my heart in two.

[Jarl Branting · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have ever read about the Lithuanian resistance against the Soviet/Russian occupation - still relevant today given the war in Ukraine.