A humorous (and true) account of a man who was sentenced to death 3 times -- and survived.

I began reading the Accidental Anarchist Friday night, and just finished it on Sunday afternoon. It is a beautiful, enthralling work, which took me across generations and across decades, and connected me with aspects of my own ancestors' lives that I had heard bits and pieces of but never fully understood.

And, the voice of Jacob Marateck convinced me that I knew him, and that I was able to experience what he went through and feel his feelings.

I will buy copies of this book for friends and family, and I thank Bryna Kranzler, her mom and her late father, for making the extraordinary effort to "save" Jacob's diary and bring it to life.

This story gives you a picture of Russia in the early 1900's, and what the average person ( along with the Jews ) had to endure. The story does hold your interest, and presents a picture of the problems and the war against the Japanese in the early1900's. It had to be hard to write from the diary kept so long ago. History lovers should enjoy.

Bryna Kranzler brilliantly recreates the stories of Jacob Marateck, her Orthodox Jewish grandfather. Her account comes from his diaries of life as a soldier in the Czar's army prior to World War I. The stories were so gruesome, yet so humorous. Bryna captures the young man's strong conviction to his beliefs through the hardships he endured, including near death experiences. Through her writing, she inspires us to emulate him in our own lives as we struggle with our issues that seem so small compared to his.

I am half way through the book and can't put it down. It is a true story and very compelling. It is amazing how the author found a way to make sense of her grandfathers works and put it all into words. Great book and definitely recommend for a book club.

An amazing read! I just completed reading it, and only wish this book was published a long time ago. Bryna Kranzler's grandfather's memoir is not to be missed as he was a man who kept his sanity, morals, values and principles in the face of immense adversity and pain, a true survivor who shows us the power of fate and faith.

This is an incredible story of a Jewish man's unbelievable life in early 1900 Poland as a soldier, revolutionary, and prisoner. LOVED LOVED LOVED it from beginning to end. Well written and interesting to see how Jews were treated leading up to both World Wars.

Bryna brings to life a wonderful story that I could relate to with great ease. I felt that my Grandfather was actually there and was living the life of her grandfather...luckily mine got out of Russia in the early stages of the war.