Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege, 1942-1943

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Summary: Check it out from the library.
Review: There are so many problems with punctuation that I get too distracted to read any more. Not only that, but the author uses terms and events which are unknown to the average reader. The organization is terrible. The author jumps around from scene to scene with little to no transition.

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Summary: one of the best books on the eastern front
Review: one of the best books I have ever read about a specific campaign of the second world war. I keep it as a must on the eastern front. I also enjoyed very much reading it.

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Summary: His attention to detail is superb ... EXCELLENT READ!
Review: Could not put it down. Excellent Read. Every soldier should be made to read this book, along with Hack's "About Face". Mandatory reading, at least, in every OCS and NCO Leadership class; and, certainly (should be) a mandatory read at The Point. Anthony Beevor's writing skill and his attention to detail will dissuade any person in a position of decision- making from EVER, EVER putting their soldiers into harm's way with the same ill reckless disregard, of whom both sides in Stalingrad DID. His attention to detail made me "feel it" again ... shudder ... and to realize that my feelings did not even COMPARE to the grunts in that lonely place called "Stalingrad". It should be on the "Big Table" in the Decision Room at the White House along, of course, with Hack's book.

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Summary: Frightening, fascinating and tragic - a real gem!
Review: Anthony Beevor has produced a masterpiece. This book is as frightening as it is facinating. It both captures and repels the reader as it illustrates the futility and the heroism of war.

Rating:
Summary: Absoulutely Excellent!
Review: The attention to detail is superb, and never overwhelming. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. Just a masterful book. When he described how a handpicked, Iron-Cross winner was flown from Stalingrad to meet with Hitler, and how Hitler tries to overwhelm his guests with the "Overall" picture, yet this officer was persistent and continued to speak of the desperation of all involved while Field Marshall Kietel shook his fist at him angrily while Hitler looked away, this is just riveting stuff. And when he describes the bitter, horrific living conditions of the trapped Sixth Army, well, I have not read a more vivid, gripping account of this struggle anywhere. Bravo, Mr. Beevor, on a job well done.

Rating:
Summary: Lousy writing, too much detail, don't believe the hype
Review: Beevor gets lost in details, often going off in what seems like hypertext style. Too bad. He definitely could have done much better.

Rating:
Summary: A Little Too Kind to the Germans
Review: While I found much to admire in Stalingrad, the author was just a little too soft on the Germans for my liking. The politics aside, I thought it was an interesting, if a bit dense, retelling of the epic battle.

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Summary: Best Book of this Topic I have read..Buy it!
Review: Beevor clearly did his homework....years of it. Masterful storytelling with hard research to back it up. By reading this book, I have truly gained a greater understanding of what both the German and Russian Armies experienced at the micro and macro level.

Rating:
Summary: Awful writing style with great content
Review: The author certainly knows the material to a microscopic detail. However, his rambling asides make this book a non-keeper unless you're an absolute junkie on the material.

I put the book down in disgust without finishing it.

Rating:
Summary: A balanced account of both the German and the Soviet side.
Review: There have been many books on Stalingrad. Those written from the German perspective have told of the horrors of that battle. Those written from the Soviet view (pre-1990) also dwelt on the German suffering, but pretended the Soviet army was significantly better off. Beevor has written a balanced and very readable account that delves both into the German archives (little new material) and the Russian archives (mostly new material). Recommended as probably the best summary of that battle on the market today.