Defending Leningrad: Women Behind Enemy Lines (Part I: Inna Konstantinova; Part II: Masha Poryvayeva and Part III: Zoya Kruglova Baiger)
"The genuine value of these books and the interest they are bound to generate among specialists and general readers alike argue for their wider dissemination. The books should be made available to the wider audience they so richly deserve."  --David M. Glantz, Editor, The Journal of Slavic Military Studies, in a review essay scheduled for publication in March 1999Cottam succeeded in collecting, translating, and editing unprecedented amounts of documentary evidence detailing the scope and importance of the participation of Soviet women in the war. Taken together, the four volumes capture the breadth and depth of the role of Soviet women in the war effort... The genuine value of these books and the interest they are bound to generate among specialists and general readers alike argue for their wider dissemination. The books should be made available to the wider audience they so richly deserve. (David M. Glantz, Editor, The Journal of Slavic Military Studies. (Colonel Glantz is founder and former director of the U.S. Army's Foreign Military Studies Office.)) --David M. Glantz, Editor, The Journal of Slavic Military StudiesWhile I deeply enjoyed all four of the books, this was my favorite. We get an indepth look at a young Russian teenager through her own diaries and letters... The book as a whole tells the story of two partisans and one spy. But the story of Ina Konstantinova told in her own words through her notes and letters is my favorite part of the book. The other two women detailed provide inspiration as well: Masha Poryvayeva and Zoya Kruglova-Bailer. As with all of Ms. Cottam's books this is a must read for Women's Studies and just a plain good read for the rest of us.  --Leslie Blanchard, Editor, The Writer's Choice Literary Journal, April 1999