This is a timely analysis and re-creation of the turning point of World War II. In October 1942, a panzer officer wrote "Stalingrad is no longer a town...Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure". The battle became the focus of Hitler and Stalin's determination to win the gruesome, vicious war on the eastern front. The citizens of Stalingrad endured unimaginable hardship; the battle, with fierce hand to hand fighting in each room of each building, was brutally destructive to both armies. But the eventual victory of the Red Army, and the failure of Hitler's Operation Barbarossa was the first defeat of Hitler's territorial ambitions in Europe, and the start of his decline. An extraordinary story of tactical genius, civilian bravery, obsession, carnage and the nature of war itself, "Stalingrad" will act as a testament to the vital role of the soviet war effort.
Stalingrad
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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
Review
A superb re-telling. Beevor combines a soldier's understanding of war's realities with the narrative techniques of a novelist . . . This is a book that lets the reader look into the face of battle (Orlando Figes Sunday Telegraph )
A brilliantly researched tour de force of military history (Sarah Bradford The Times ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
A brilliantly researched tour de force of military history (Sarah Bradford The Times ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 62 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Stalingrad is a superb book. Before reading it I had no knowledge of the eastern front, but Antony Beevor's account has compelled me to find out more. The book not only provides a full account of the battle, but an overview of Operation Barbarossa and the strategy in southern Russia. The books main triumph lies in its ability to relate the story from both the German and Russian perspectives of the battle, from an ordinary soldier's point of view as well as the Generals and of course Stalin and Hitler. The author's use of different sources is unbelievable, although I think it could have done with a few more personal accounts - but this is a very minor gripe. With violence portrayed on TV so much, you might think we have been made unshockable (if thats a word) towards war stories, but I definately felt sickened by what I read in this book, especially towards the end with the subjugation of the Sixth Army. It may be that the Stalingrad story is just so unbelievable that it makes this book stand out, but Beevor is as competent an author as any in helping the reader truly understand. Stalingrad is the definitve account of the most momentous event of W.W.2.
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By K. P. Doyle
Format:Paperback
I have read and re-read this book because of its brilliance. It is chilling but very very accessible. The humanity and inhumanity is so well written that it appears almost to be a work of fiction. You do not need to be an avid war historian to enjoy this book as I found most of the interesting parts to be on the day to day life in the kessel and the slow ebbing away of all hope that the 6th army would be saved. The letters home are particularly sad, many were found in a mail sack of a plane that was shot down by the Russians.
This book should be used in schools to highlight the desperation and reality of war.
This book should be used in schools to highlight the desperation and reality of war.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Great book, brilliantly written. I believe this book set the patch for history / war books to follow. If you like WWII history, yoy must own this one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lives up to his usual high standard
Having read Antony Beevor's D-Day landing book I was expecting a thoroughly researched analysis on the fall of Stalingrad. Once again Beevor delivers - amazing detailed research.
Published 5 days ago by John O'Sullivan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good book destroyed by numerous errors in the text of Kindle version
Anthony Beevor's work is always excellent. The Kindle version is, however, very poor. It shows all the signs of having been scanned from the original book and the OCR software has... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michael Herridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
What happens when two Dictators both try to rule the world?
An incredible tour de force. You can feel the frozen landscape, and the struggles of the common soldiers in both armies against the elements, and their violent and stupid... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Thomas Heavey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Narrative history at it's best
Stalingrad was one of the worst battles of the Second World War. Anthony Beevor's brilliant book drives this horrific story from the events of Operation Barbarossa, the German... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Tristan Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best about the topic
Antony Beevor is a really talented both writer and historian. If you want feel the hunger, freezing cold, and fear of enemy that german and soviet soldiers felt during the battle... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Darius Salomskas
4.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant account, compelling to read.
Such a compelling book to read which presents a vivid picture of the dreadful events in and around Stalingrad in WW2. Read more
Published 3 months ago by AFW
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping
Undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read. Perversely, when the Germans are finally surrounded by the Soviets and facing certain starvation and death, you almost hope... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Duncan Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
STALINGRAD
This was the first book i had read which was written by Antony Beevor. The details of all the different troop movements both German and Russian thoughout this campain is very... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Anthony Walmsley
5.0 out of 5 stars
If there is one book on the WWII you should read...
Here in the UK at the last general election at the local bookshop, I noticed books recommended by prominent British politicians from all the major parties, which as you can imagine... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Badgermannu
3.0 out of 5 stars
Beevor - Stalingrad
I had hoped for more from this book, it seems to lack some details of the actual tactics, fighting and the "Rattenkrieg".
I found D-Day better. Read more
I found D-Day better. Read more
Published 4 months ago by H. T. I. Anson
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