Victor Herman (1925–1985)

Victor Herman was one of a few thousand Americans who went to the Soviet Union in the early 1930s on ideological grounds to take part in what they believed was a better way of living. They lived in special American cities and worked together in Soviet factories for the motherland. All went well for a few years, but by 1934 the Stalin purges were under way, the country became paranoid and pretty soon most if not all of the Americans were either sent off to Siberia (where they all died) or a show more few made it out through other means. It's really a fascinating chapter in American history, told in more detail in The Forsaken: An American Tragedy in Stalin's Russia, but largely forgotten because most of them died. Victor Herman was that exception and this is his incredible story.

Herman was not typical, by his late teens he was already somewhat famous holding the World Record for the highest skydive, 24,000 feet, for which he was called the "Lindbergh of Russia" (a compliment at the time). And that is what got him into trouble, he refused to renounce his American identity for the World Record and they called him an enemy of the state and shipped him off to hard labor in Siberia for 18 years. That he survived it is a miracle only because of his physical and intellectual talents to overcome adversity. There are some parallels with Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken but I think this is the better story.

Two things about this memoir that should be noted. First it was ghostwritten by Gordon Lish which isn't made clear in the book. Second it was done so at the same time Herman was filing a $10 million wrongful suit against Ford Motor Company for hardships he suffered while in Russia. So there is a problem of checks and balances, everyone seemed to be financially motivated to make a good-terrible story - the author, the ghostwriter, the publisher. I'm not saying it's wrong, but there was no way to verify anything in the USSR at the time and everyone knew it. I suspect if there is embellishment it's just a matter of degrees, the main outline seems accurate. Regardless the memoir is an archetype of the things that really did happen to many people and is well worth it to understand those poor Americans who disappeared into Russia forever. show less

I read this book several years ago on the recommendation of [a:Gordon Lish|232097|Gordon Lish|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1267719924p2/232097.jpg]. The acknowledgment page credits the person responsible for this book as one who wishes not to be cited, but Herman does provide the initials of his son A.A.L who is none other than [a:Atticus Lish|5782416|Atticus Lish|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1461055270p2/5782416.jpg]. Anyone who reads this book can plainly show more see that Gordon Lish wrote it. His voice is all over it. I find it ironic how many readers love this book and so many claim not to like the writing of Gordon Lish. Hilarious. show less

What an amazing story! Victor Herman, at age 16, went with his father to Russia in 1931. His father was an employee of Ford Motor Company. Victor spent 45 years in Russia, most of it either in prison, work camps or exile in Siberia. He endured unbelievable hardship, yet managed to survive and ultimately return to America, followed by his two children, and after the book concludes, his wife.

Mr. Herman wrote this book shortly after returning to America. He tells you this near the end of the show more story, but it is obvious from the very beginning because the emotion is so visible, raw and real in his words.

Mr. Herman has amazing insight into human emotions and motivations, on par with those of Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning). Mr. Hermon, though, is not as educated as Mr. Frankl was, and for some reason, this made is message all the more powerful for me. show less

Russia's top parachutist: A young American sets a world parachuting record for his Soviet hosts and is sent to a series of extermination camps during the horror of the purges. Just .3% survived 10 years endless torture. In 1934, the United States was trying to set the world's highest altitude jump from 16,000 ft. In Russia, to make his 43rd jump, Victor jumped from the plane at over 24,000 feet. He did a freefall delay, called a 'dead fall', until 1500 ft. His entire jump lasted 142 seconds. show more For refusing to claim Russian nationality, Mr. Herman is is sent to die in the death camps. {Avoid the censored and photo-less Freedom Press Printing} show less