Vasil Bykov is an outstanding master of military prose of the twentieth century. The main theme of the writer’s works - a man at war - has always highlighted the problem of moral choice in the harshest conditions of war: between life at the cost of betrayal and death with honor. The writer is characterized by an uncompromising position, which served as a reason for attacks Soviet criticism: the writer was reproached for blasphemy against the Soviet system. But he simply managed to realistically define the line beyond which moral decline begins, and truthfully show that a genuine moral feat does not look like a spectacular heroic action. The book includes the author’s most famous, sensational war stories, which brought the writer world fame and recognition from millions of readers. Contents: Crane cryAlpine balladThe dead don't hurtSotnikovObeliskLive until dawnGo and never returnSign of trouble