{"product_id":"9780359022663","title":"Yashka","description":"Yashka is the autobiography of Maria Botchkareva, a young Russian woman who bravely took up arms first against the Germans in World War One, and then opposed the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution of 1917. Maria describes a hard upbringing as a member of the Russian peasantry. Married at sixteen to her first husband Afanasy, it wasn't long before his charms were replaced by physical abuse; Maria soon fled. She applied for work as a servant girl, only to discover that the man advertising actually owned a string of brothels; she was promptly sent to the town of Sretensk to work in one. Such harsh experiences in youth nevertheless built a certain determination and toughness in the young Maria. When war broke out in 1914, she applied to join as a soldier - facing verbal abuse and sexual harassment from the outset, she nevertheless took to military life with eagerness and courage. The soldiers nicknamed her 'Yashka', and a measure of respect was slowly gained as she demonstrated great bravery.","brand":"Maria Botchkareva, Isaac Don Levine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45761744535870,"sku":"9780359022663","price":1117.17,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4357\/7662\/products\/9780359022663_914a89ff-3e2b-43f1-a1e1-9b22ced24170.jpg?v=1707245368","url":"https:\/\/exclusivebooks.co.za\/products\/9780359022663","provider":"Exclusive Books Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}