Im Rausch

I went into *Im Rausch* expecting another war memoir, but Babtschenko’s book is something far more unsettling: a psychological case study of a system designed to break men before they even touch a battlefield. The chapter where he describes the ritualistic hazing at his training base isn’t just disturbing—it’s *methodical*, as if he’s cataloging the stages of a disease. The audiobook’s power comes from Eftekhari’s restraint; his voice never raises above a gravelly murmur, even when Babtschenko’s words scream for emphasis. It’s a masterclass in how less can be more. That said, the book’s second act drags when Babtschenko pivots to his life as an exile in Prague. The shift from visceral military detail to geopolitical musings feels abrupt, like a documentary suddenly cutting to a talking head. Production-wise, the audio quality is crisp, with no audible distractions—just the unfiltered weight of Babtschenko’s words and Eftekhari’s measured delivery. The 9-hour runtime feels earned, but I wished Babtschenko had spent more time unpacking the *why* behind his defection rather than assuming readers already understand the stakes. Still, this is a book that demands to be heard, not just read. If you’re looking for heroism or redemption, look elsewhere. If you want to understand how propaganda and violence metastasize in plain sight, press play and buckle up.