Publisher's Synopsis
The book is available in one edition with both Hebrew and the English translation.
The actual war in Ukraine is a reminder of the big previous terrible war there and its fighters. Alexander Kouts (Shura) was a fighter against the Nazis in the Ukrainian forests during the 2nd World War, then public figure in Poland and one of the establishers of the pharmaceutics industry in Israel. This testimony was given following his coming to Israel . A few details were added later. It includes a description and analysis of the situation in Ukraine and Jewish communities, before the Nazi Germany invasion in June 1942, His testimony focuses mainly on the period he was fighting the Nazis, first as a "free lance" partisan, and later as a commander of elite units of Soviet partisans.Finally, briefly, moving to Poland where he served in senior public offices before going to Israel. The testimony is presented as told, in fine Hebrew, which he acquired at the "Tarbut" schools. It excels in the historic look at the era from the point of view of someone who experienced it first hand and therefore includes original clarity regarding some of the key topics for its understanding. Despite his membership at that period and for sometime following it, in the communist movement and party, it is clear throughout the testimony, that along with appreciation of its achievements and its facing the Nazi killer, he has a critical and sober look at it. And just like he was strong and adamant on the battlefield, so he knew how to face negative phenomena on "his" side; such as distorting and squashing of democracy, blunt and occasionally fatal antisemitism during the war, or the oppression of the working class in Poland, following it. Yet, his humanism and belief in Man is recognizable in each line. The value of Work was for him also central and vital for the honorable existence of Man in the days of war when one had to prove he was "useful" to preserve his life, and in normal days. He even takes the trouble to point out that while he was waiting to get to Israel, he was working as long as it was possible...
"Shura"- his nickname in the underground, which he chose not to keep later on-is a young man stressing all along the way his pride in being a Jew taking part in the horrific catastrophe his people suffered and refuses to relinquish it, even if it costs him the highest decoration he received during the fighting in addition to all the ones he got during and following it. The story, or rather the report, excels in the details' exactness brought succinctly due to the framework, with no sentiments for which there is no room and without trying to romanticize, with self control and especially humility, sometimes seemingly exaggerated. Acts and deeds, which could beused as a fascinating and overblown script, are stripped from their "color", heroism and splendor. His description is as prosaic as can be, he stresses intelligence and planning - "by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6). An academic and a moralistic political person on the battlefield. However, an optimistic life loving man. A strong muscular man but an intellectual and sensitive person. Loyal to his family and the State of Israel. A role model for generations put to tests not yet finished and to those yet to come.
