An Innocent Soldier

by Josef Holub, Michael Hofmann (Translator)

A naive country boy grapples with life in the army during Napoleon's disastrous campaign against Russia.

Adam is a farmhand conscripted by Napoleon's army, which is gathering strength for its campaign against Russia. Sergeant Krauter makes Adam the victim of his most sadistic urges. But when an aristocratic young lieutenant spots Adam and requisitions him as his personal valet, Adam's life seems to take a turn for the better.

As Adam and Lieutenant Konrad Klara draw closer to Moscow, they encounter a panoply of wartime horrors. THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER - both poignant and funny - explores the importance of friendship in persevering against overwhelming odds.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Russia, War, Adventure

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Josef Holub (1926 - 2010) was born in Neuern, Bohemia, and lived through the Second World War in his early teens. By his own account, he earned his living as a smuggler, a mason, a mail carrier, a postal administrator, and a village mayor. He published his first book, a memoir of his own war years, in 1997, when he was sixty-seven. Since then, he published six more books and has won many awards, including the Peter Hartling Prize for Children's Literature, and the prestigious Zurich Children's Book Prize.

Reviews

[Oscar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have been so much better if it just explored the relationship between Adam Neve and Konrad Klara more honestly.

The book has an interesting plot: a farmer's servant (Adam) gets falsely enlisted in Napoleon's army to battle the Russians (Adam is mistaken for the farmer's actual son, who is supposed to fight in the war). The unfit-for battle-Adam (because he is underage)travels with a hard-ass who physically abuses him, and then is taken under the wing of a lieutenant, Konrad Klara, who's really a sweet (if not altogether sappy) guy. They become best friends, then become "almost like brothers", etc. The book becomes like a somber Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder buddy flick, except it takes place in wartime, which of course is terrible. Of course the author wants to make it a point that war is horrible, almost to the point where 99 percent of their conversations revolve around how bad war is. "War is terrible" became Konrad Klara's quip of the year followed by incessant crying (from a WAR lieutenant??? REALLY???). The focus should have been more about exploring their relationship a little bit, which to me seemed a little gay. I mean homosexual gay. "I would die for him", "I wanted to embrace him right there on the spot", "I would love to make out with him" (Well, not the last one, but you get what I mean). There was even a couple (like, more than one) chapter in which they are both completely naked. They both go for a swim and their clothes get stolen (or "misplaced" if you know what I mean) and they are wandering around the countryside with nothing on, hugging each other for warmth (this is Russia, after all).

Ummm, if that's not a gay relationship, then I don't know what is.

[Andro Aboalzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books for a few reasons, it's so creative, descriptive, and entertaining. The book is great, although it took the writer so much to get to the main point, especially chapter 4. I love how the writer described each character, and their altitude towered the war. It wasn't about fighting for Napoleon, it more of leaving your house, family, friends, and everything you like. This book makes you feel you live in a warzone, and this make sense because the writer himself lived during World War 2. This book uses a lot of imagery, and hyperbole to describe the cold Russian weather, and how did it effect their performance. I like how the lieutenant was always hopeful, in the most desperate situation. This book is related to me because I live in a warzone in Egypt as well for 4 years.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is that it tells a story not often told, of those who fought under Napoleon. It starts out pretty good too, with a farmer sending his servant to war, instead of his son, who was actually the one conscripted. Unfortunately, not a lot happens after that. Oh, there is some (lots actually) gore and dead bodies, and some illness, but Adam never actually fights another soldier. It's more a tale of an unusual friendship, with an unusual background.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was indeed a decidedly gay story ("not that there's anything wrong with that"). A good one, despite the fact that the title character seemed a little thick, and surprisingly sobering when it came to describing the harsh realities of war while still being YA-appropriate.

[Alexander SMith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that depicts the life of a soldier during napoleans faild russian campaign.

[Devyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved An Innocent Soldier!
I loved everything about it.
I loved the gorgeous cover. It's so eye-catching and mesmerizing. I found myself periodically flipping the book over to gaze at it. That face unerringly is haunting...
I loved the MC. Adam's personality is charming. He has no clue about anything and is literally shoved around by fate and crowd and just generally does the best he can with what he's been unfairly dealt. He's loyal to a fault, innocent, and lovable. I loved reading about him.
I loved the plot and timeline. Napoleons failed war against the Russians made for a great survivor/war story. The starvation, hypothermia, and the horrors of war brought about a surprised strength and perseverance in Adam and really showed how far he'd go for his Lieutenant Konrad Klara.

[Ellora Lawhorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very interesting premise for a book, and the historical information was very thorough and good. But even as a children’s novel goes, I thought the writing was awful. Most of the sentences were single, if not partial clauses, with an astounding amount of sentences beginning in prepositions.

In essence, the story was compelling and I would have enjoyed it had it been fleshed out and more flowing. But as it stands, it was very choppy and sloppy, and I would have thought so even as a child.

[Yami · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmmm, not sure how I review this, on one hand there is a lot that happened , but on the other hand it was too fast paced it feels like it was a summery of what actually happened, I liked both Konrand and Adam and maybe Konrand a little bit more. and am glad that it is CLEAR that this about friendship and bromance and true brotherhood.
it is about survival and pure souls and the awfulness of war. but I think I needed more than this I wanted to see both and Londrand each with a happy family of their own , at least am going to wish them both that

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really shows what a hard life Napoleons soldiers had. It also looks at the close friendship that two in particular, Adam and Konrad form. It doesn’t have many carefree moments but that’s understandable because it’s set during a very difficult time. Even the only true buddy moment the boys have, when they go swimming, is spoiled once their belongings are stolen. Still, Adam and Konrad have an enduring friendship and are rewarded for their loyalty to each other.

[angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good. I think it accurately portrays history well, and it never bored me.

[Josh Juneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really good, it had a solid story and portrayed the characters perfectly throughout the book.

[Betsey Brannen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book about one boy’s experience in the Napoleonic Wars.

[Katie Hutchison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich hatte so viel Hoffnung in dieser Buch aber es könnte nicht meine Aufmerksamkeit zu halten für mehr als einer Seite. Die Anfang hatte so gute Konzepte aber für mich eine größere Enttäuschung.

[Anna Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a story of the horrors of war, but it’s also a love story.
(For my fellow GenZers: these b!tches gay. Good for them)

[Jennifer Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The winner of the 2006 Batchelder Award was originally published in German in 2002. It tells the story of a young farmhand’s experience as a soldier in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia beginning in the winter of 1811. When I read this book I was so angered when the boy was betrayed by his farmer, and then by fellow soldiers. I couldn’t believe how bad the conditions were for the soldiers who were promised an easy victory by Napoleon, and I was impressed with the common sense the boy possessed which helped with his survival. This book is easy-to-read and fast paced. It would be good for readers in grades 6 and up.

[Devin Logan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can you imagine being a 16-yr.old farmhand( help on farm. no pay) and having no one you consider family except for your farmer.Then, the one you considered family, put you in the war in place of his own son.But you were so mentally and commonly blind to see that your farmer betrayed you and you thought it was a mishap. Well, that is what happened to Adam Feutchter. He later would become known as Georg Bayh9 his farmer's sons name).

The setting of this story is in the winter season and all year of 1811 and 1812 on the route from Luxemburg to Russia. Adam is put in Napoleon's Grand Armee, as Napoleon is on route to bring Russia under his Europe-wide agreement/treaty,and he needs all the soldiers from all his ally countries. Adam works as a cannon bomber who faces lots of hardships.His lead soldier make him do the nastiest jobs possible, and gives him the hardest time of all the soldiers. But then his fate turns around when they pair him with a 17-yr old lieutenant, Konrad Klara. With Konrad Klara he would experience the ups and downs of war.They would travel for days without food, steal to eat, rest in castles, take care of each other while they were sick, tend to ones needs, be an emotional help to one another, and be a squadron of two men. They would encounter squadrons of soldiers every now and then, but they mostly traveled through the rough, cold, Russian plains. Most of the time when battles broke out they would see the aftermath or miss it entirely, both scorning no matter the result They would even has to stick together when they were robbed and had their precious items stolen and find clothing, and shelter with another regiment.They would encounter Adam's former, brutal, Sergeant and realize that he'd stolen their horses, goods, and food at once a time. Both wishing the Sergeant would soon get his payback. Finally when they had enough and knew the war was almost done without Napoleon even reaching the Czar of Russia, the two decided it was time to travel home, but the trip home wouldn't be easy. The face bombardiers on a unstable bridge only letting a certain amount pass through without collapsing, starvation, no rest, and enemy armies. But through it all the brother-like relationship that they made through the war would help them to get back home. But when they arrive home, they are suddenly separated and sent to different places. But when Adam is sent back off to war, he unknowingly stops at Konrad Klara's castle home and visits for a while. Then, he returns back to the war as a 17-yr. old veteran who survived the brutal Russian invasion.

To be honest, this has to be one of the worst books I have ever read in my entire life. This book truly has no meaning ,except for historical nonfiction. The book has the longest exposition I've ever read. The exposition literally last almost 31 out of 40 chapters in the book. The only places the characters go are the vast, dense forests of Russia. They always were separate from other regiments and were always journeying through by themselves. There was no action going on in the story, except for when they killed soldiers, battles took place, or they encountered hardship while journeying. The main character in the story doesn't have enough common sense to realize that he has been betrayed , until Konrad Klara tells him so.Adam is just so naive and unintelligent. I truly can't understand how this book won an award. When the two killed soldiers they cried and damned war. If neither liked war, then why was one a lieutenant / I just couldn't understand why the soldiers traveled so long and didn't encounter any resistance. This is just one story I wouldn't recommend to anyone to read. This book is only good for a first-person perspective of life in war at a young age with Napoleon. The book truly has the right title 'An Innocent Soldier", because a soldier who knew nothing , experienced more than he could ever ask for in this war that potentially forever change his life.

[Hazel West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts on the Overall Book: This was one of those books I picked up from the library with a 'well, this could be good' and ending up really enjoying it a lot. It kind of surprised me, because I thought it was going to be a kind of more depressing thoughtful war novel, but Adam was a great narrator and he had a very spunky attitude, so it wasn't overly dark. I love anything from the Napoleonic time period, and I truthfully don't think I have ever read anything about a person who was in Napoleon's army (mostly I read from the British perspective). I liked the fact that the characters were just soldiers, fighting because that was their duty and they truthfully didn't care or rightly even know why they were doing what they were. I think it was a very real look into the life of a soldier at the time; what they felt, and the hardships that they went through.

Cover--Yae or Nay: I liked the colors of the cover, they lend the desolate feeling of the setting of the story, but I don't really like the people because they don't look like how I pictured Adam or Konrad. The colors truthfully look almost more like a WWI or WWII novel to me, but you can obviously tell it's Napoleonic from the outfits, so it's not one of my favorite covers, no.

Characters: Adam, as I said earlier, was a great narrator. He has a good character and is instantly likable. And I also loved Konrad Klara and, needless to say, loved the brotherly relationship that forms between the two of them, despite their difference in rank. There is no way that two men who went through the things these two did together could fell they were anything but brothers at the end of the story. Again, it was a very real perspective into the time period and soldier's camaraderie in general. Sergeant Krauter was a good nemesis, but at the same time, I think he could have been a little worse because sergeants could be a lot worse to their men in real life than he was to Adam. That's just personal preference though, because I like really nasty love-to-hate kinds of villains.

Writing Style: I'm not usually a fan of present tense first person, but for this story it worked, and after the first couple chapters I didn't really notice it anymore. It could have been past tense, but at the same time, I think present almost worked better for this story. The author did a good job with historical accuracy as well, and I liked kind of the quirkiness in Adam's narration. It kept the story from being too dark. I have nothing against dark war stories, but as a YA novel, I thought that was a good choice. There's a lot of narration as opposed to dialogue, but that wasn't bad in this story either since it was in first person.

Problems/What bothered me: There really wasn't anything to complain about in this story. Nothing content wise or anything either.

Conclusion: 4 stars, I really liked. I'm curious to look into some of the author's other books because I really liked his writing style and the way he handles brotherly love is awesome!

Recommended Audience: 13 and up, lovers of historical fiction, Napoleonic war stuff or brothers-in-arms stories. Definitely a good guy read, but girls who don't mind stories without any female characters would like it too.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a delightful piece of historical fiction, rich in detail, history and even humor. :) As Adam begins the story in his own words, I was hooked instantly.

Here's a short *grin* summary:
The book begins in 1811 in pre-unification Germany as a farmer enlists his unwitting farmhand, Adam, in Napoleon's Grande Armée under the name of his only son, Georg Bayh. The bewildered teen, who is sure that this great mistake will eventually be rectified, trains dutifully despite being continually harassed by a sadistic sergeant. He is saved when a young aristocratic lieutenant needs a servant, and his situation greatly improves. This is a tale of unlikely friends marching from Germany to Moscow with Napoleon's ill-fated invasion of Russia. While few battles are detailed, readers experience all of the horror, drudgery, and absurdity of war. Vivid descriptions include the endless walking, hustling for boots and warm clothing, gnawing hunger, and dysentery. Old-fashioned rules of engagement, etiquette, and a strict class system are all seamlessly worked into Adam's believable narrative. The boy grows from being a scared child to an obedient servant, to becoming a capable and resilient, if arguably less innocent, soldier. The first two thirds of first-person account are rich in period detail, but rarely broken up with dialogue, making it a tad slow going. The pacing somehow echoes the experiences of Napoleon's coalition army. Things pick up during its retreat, as the danger increases and the boys are able to lay aside class strictures to forge a true friendship. This is a well-wrought psychological tale that might have a difficult time finding an audience, but has a lot to offer to those seeking to build a deep historical fiction collection.–Christina Stenson-Carey, Albany Public Library, NY

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend with excellent taste, so I started reading it the moment I could. I think giving a detailed summary of the book is really unneccesary, since several others have already done that and I'm not Wikipedia in any case, so I'll just give the things I liked and disliked about it (and isn't that what reviews are for anyways?).

I was a little baffled by the beginning of the book, which had a generic play-by-play style, but quickly moved into a broader, more general tale of events. It flip-flops back and forth for a while, eventually settling into a fairly basic description of Adam's travels, occasionally mentioning an event in detail. This style, while fairly typical of war stories, can be confusing for those who aren't used it.

The plot, as well, can get tedious at times, with most of the action consisting of walking without adequate clothing or food. Interestingly, no actual combat is described, with Adam's scant time on the battle scenes primarily spent scavanging trousers from unlucky soldiers. That, as well as some other parts coming together to form the heavy anti-war message, can get a little 'anvilicious'. Fortunately, the book had a saving grace: the 'friendship' between Adam and his lieutenant, nobleman Konrad Klara. (I say 'friendship' because I'm pretty convinced they had gone quite a bit further than being friends.) Watching their suprisingly sweet relationship develop was definitely the most enjoyable part of this book for me.

In the end, An Innocent Soldier is a very good book, but rather than reading for the almost overdone message of pacifism, one would be better served in reading, as I did, for the excellent semi-romantic friendship of Adam and Konrad Klara.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Innocent Soldier

This book is a bout a young boy named Adam when he was forced to join napoleon's army in 1812. You will read about his terrible life in this occupation, Adam goes to Russia to war but he escapes and he is free by a lieutenant that he owes his life to. He will soon discover that he was one of 300 that survived the Napoleon's war with Russia. Adam also gains a new relationship with the lieutenant who he accompanied
what I think the theme of this book is that even when everything is terrible there is always some thing good. Why I think that is because even though Adam lived through a very harsh war he had some thing really good at the end. Adam also found some one who cared for him even if he was away.
Who I would recommend this book,are ones who like to read historical fiction on wars and great forces. If I had to rate this I would give this book a 6/10 for plot, I would give this book 6/10 for the book in general. I also think book is good for reading groups or just for free time

[Mohamed Sall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book pretty decent, in my opinion. The plot had a nice story, but one dislike that I have for the book is its lack of action. To me, it seemed like the majority of the book, Adam, the protagonist was quarreling with Sgt. Krauter. The times in the book where there was the most action were the moments when the cavalry approached Moscow.

However, I thought that Josef Holub did a fantastic job in the beginning. I was completely confused when the farmer took Adam to town and found out that he was going to be in the army. The farmer's son, Georg was supposed to go, but the farmer told the officials that Adam was Georg, which in my opinion was really smart. This made me wonder if back then, if wars were really intense, men would be FORCED to fight. That is very different from today.

All in all, this book was alright with some ups and downs, but not entirely what I had expected.

[Gordon Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book received the Mildred L. Batchelder award. This story is set back in the nineteenth century in pre-unified Germany. Adam an orphan who becomes enlisted in Napoleon’s army by the farmer under which he works. The farmer enlists him under his son’s name, Georg Bayh. Adam is a young boy only in his teens. He suffers ridicule from the sergeant under which he works. Finally, a young lieutenant needs a servant and Adam gets the position. The terrors of war are echoed throughout the book and affect Adam’s life. He ends up forming a friendship, which is great. He needed a friend at this time in his life. It is a great read full of useful history and experiences. From reading the book, one is exposed to the true horrors of war. Much history can be learned form this book. It mentions many of the well-known battles that took place at the time.

[Rhett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time. Unfortunately it hasn't had the recognition it deserves yet, but it is by far my favorite book. The way the author carries you along with the character by writing in First Person, Present Tense makes following a soldier in The Napoleonic Wars truly exciting. The main characters constant optimism keeps the book from depressing you as the story is constantly worsening for the poor 16 year old Soldier. The other most interesting thing about this book is that the author is actually not English so the writing has a foreign speaker feeling to it. The translation is great and understandable, but because its translated it has a simple English that gives it an ease of reading. You should definitely read this book!

[Peyton Mosley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, even though it was kind of...slow. I am not really into war books, so there wasn’t anything that sparked my interest within the plot. The main character Adam annoyed me because his naïvety jumped out at me on every single page. His thoughts just seemed really shallow. The story line was okay, but there seemed to be a lot of pages where nothing really happens. Also, I was kind of disappointed by the ending. The whole book builds up and the reader is wondering the whole time “will he survive?” So at the end I was like “wait, what?” The book was just kind of anti-climactic. It was a good story, and a quick, easy read, but it’s not a book I would read again for fun.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the book was a good representation of what war actually does to people. I like how it was first person because you can see his point of view. You can tell how war has affected him while he was in Napoleon’s army. This book would be great for anyone who likes war novels or great adventures. I always liked reading war novels and this one is one of the best I’ve read in a while. It was easy to read so almost anyone could read it.The book does a good job of following Adam threw the struggles of being in an army. The trip they took to and from Russia showed great detail of the problems that they had experienced. The book would be good for younger people like in 6th -11th grade, and for anyone who likes a good action/adventure book.

[Pume · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good read. The book was called an innocent soldier. The book starts out when a farm boy is taken into napoleans army. he is then assigned a lieutenant. After being separated from the rest they bonded.

This book reminds me of when Ishmael Beah was forced to join the army. In a way they both had no choice.

If i had to rate this it would be a 4. I think that the best part is when adam started bonding with the lieutenant. Even though theyb were from two different worlds. I think what I learned from this book was that even the most different people can become friends.

[Mr. Canning · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: **** 4 Stars, I really liked it. 6th Grade Shelf

I really enjoyed this book. It is just before Napoleon's invasion of Russia and he is grabbing every young man he can get to go fight. Adam, a farmhand, is conscripted into the army to join this fight. He is abused by his sergeant, Krauter, a cruel and murderous man. but is taken in to assist a Lieutenant who is no older than him. They form an unlikely friendship that takes them through Russia in the summer through the winter. Holub, a World War II veteran of the German army himself, brings the horrors of what fighting in Russia would probably have been like for Adam. It makes Adam's return home even more miraculous.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1811 Napoleon in his greed after conquering much of Europe, amasses his Grande Armee' to conquer Russia with 450,000 troops. Ill prepared to properly feed and clothe the army and due to his misconception of the vastness of Russia, Napoleon is turned back after Moscow is intentionally burned by Czar Alexander, turning back the no so Grande ARmee. One of many soldiers who were recruited was Adam, a simple farm hand(orphaned) and this is his sotr of survival from those within the GA (Sergeant Krauter) and conditions and circumstances Adam is dealt. - Great

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had a better grasp of German, because I think a lot of nuance was lost in translation. Aside from that, this is still a very well written boy's book which explores some interesting aspects of the Napoleonic Wars in what is now Germany. It is a rather funny book, with a lot of character growth even though the translation is slightly stilted.
(Don't worry, despite some of the reviews I've noticed, the protagonists are not gay. They are from a more innocent time where two boys could actually be close friends without being socially pressured to have an 'identity crisis'.)

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical novel about Napoleon's abortive attempt to invade Russia in 1812. Adam works for a farmer who, in a desperate attempt to save his own son, volunteers Adam in his place. Adam is now a soldier in Napoleon's Grande Armee. He spends much of his time as a servant for a young aristocrat. The two forge a bond of friendship when Adam cares for his master when he is stricken with dysentery. The book is rich with historical detail but a bit slow in pace.