Stalingrad

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Antony Beevor

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Pages: 512 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0140249850

Pub: Penguin Books Ltd

Pub date: 1999-05-06

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 4847

Editorial Review:

Hitler made two fundamental and crippling mistakes during the Second World War. The first was his whimsical belief that the United Kingdom would eventually become his ally, which delayed his decision to launch a major invasion of Britain, whose army was unprepared for the force of blitzkrieg warfare. The second was the ill-conceived Operation Barbarossa--an invasion of Russia that was supposed to take the German army to the gates of Moscow. Antony Beevor's thoughtfully researched compendium recalls this epic struggle for Stalingrad. No-one, least of all the Germans, could foretell the deep well of Soviet resolve that would become the foundation of the Red Army; Russia, the Germans believed, would fall as swiftly as France and Poland. The ill-prepared Nazi forces were trapped in a bloody war of attrition against the Russian behemoth, which held them in the pit of Stalingrad for nearly two years. Beevor points out that the Russians were by no means ready for the war either, making their stand even more remarkable; Soviet intelligence spent as much time spying on its own forces--in fear of desertion, treachery and incompetence--as they did on the Nazis. Due attention is also given to the points of view of the soldiers and generals of both forces, from the sickening battles to life in the gulags.

Many believe Stalingrad to be the turning point of the war. The Nazi war machine proved to be fallible as it spread itself too thin for a cause that was born more from arrogance than practicality. The Germans never recovered, and its weakened defences were no match for the Allied invasion of 1944. We know little of what took place in Stalingrad or its overall significance, leading Beevor to humbly admit that "[t]he Battle of Stalingrad remains such an ideologically charged and symbolically important subject that the last word will not be heard for many years". This is true. But this gripping account should become the standard work against which all others should measure themselves. --Jeremy Storey

Reader Reviews:

Great writer (0/0 people found this helpful)

Great book from a great writer. It puts you reading without stop waiting for what happens in the next page. It gives the all dimension of war (and what a battle he choose for this). Every world war 2 enthusiast must read this one.

Excellent Read (0/0 people found this helpful)

I am not going to get into the dynamics of this book or any details concerning the story line. This would spoil the treat for the reader. The author has produced a book about the Battle for Stalingrad that is first class. The book looks a heavy read but i found the content easy to digest (in bite size chunks over several nights reading)and extremely enjoyable and informative. The story (history) unfolds in 3 parts; The Russians struggling against the might of the German 6th Army, The Germans struggling against the determined (sometimes bloody suicidal) fightback from the Russians and finally, a look into the aftermath of this now famous conflict during the Second World War.
The Author has not taken sides whilst writing this book and brings out the politics, the tactical flaws (on both sides) and human story within this web of human suffering. The book allows you to make your own mind up on the rights and wrongs of this story!
Well written ,easy to read and in a logical order. They say a picture paints a thousand words but this books thousands of words paint a clear picture. Well done to Antony Beevor......Highly recommended. You will read this more than once!

ChrisD

Complete and horrific account (0/1 people found this helpful)

Awe inspiring story, and Beevor tells it well. The personal anecdotes add colour, and the tale of the destruction of the German 6th Army is sympathetically told, with heroes and villains on both sides. So why only 4 stars? It lacks context to explain the strategic consequences of the Stalingrad campaign in a world war. For example, the uncertainty over which side would win caused huge redeployments of British and Indian troops, to defend the North West frontier. That redeployment arguably prolonged the pacific war - yet Beevor concentrates on Hitler's folly, without mentioning the bigger picture. Epic book, great story, a bit too much detail, a bit too little context.

warefare at its worst (0/1 people found this helpful)

stalingrad by Antony Beevor is a fantastic book well written and informative and for anybody with an interest history in WWII i would highly recommend it. The hardest thing about this book is actually trying to root for the Russians who were as violent and barbaric to their own soldiers and civilians as they were to the Germans.
Try reading 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow by Adam Zamoyski for comparisons with Napoleon.
All in all a great read highly recommended.

One of the Greatest Books of all time (2/3 people found this helpful)

Stalingrad by Antony Beevor is a brilliant book which deals with not only the bigger strategic picture but also the nitty-gritty of the most destructive battle in history. With its mixture of personal stories and the bigger picture it is a most readable and enjoyable book.

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