The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich

For a raw, unfiltered, emotional look at a side of World War II not many are familiar with, try Svetlana Alexievich's "The Unwomanly Face of War".
A winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Alexievich's book looks at the military careers of Soviet women during the war. "Career" may not quite be the proper term, as these women went to war and saw some of the bloodiest, most cruel action any soldier in any nation saw during the Second World War. Many left home at the age of 15 and 16 to do their part against the Nazi invasion of their country.
These women saw action on the front line as nurses, infantry, snipers and pilots, right along side the men. Many found themselves braving the front lines, dragging or carrying wounded soldiers back to the aid stations.
"The Unwomanly Face of War" compiles the first-person narratives of these women, showing the dangers they faced, the emotions they struggled through, and the bravery that saw them through to the end of the war.
For many, the war's end was just as cruel, as they were shunned by their government and ridiculed by their neighbors and townspeople for their actions. Their gallant hours and deeds fell on deaf ears until their encounter with Alexievich and they were able to share their pain and memories.
"The Unwomanly Face of War" is very much in your face and graphic, and a very important look at an area of history that has been far understudied.