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Summary: Superb and revelatory
Review: I have spent the past ten days enthralled by Beevor's scholarly brilliance. 'Stalingrad' is a terrifying book - as a journalist, I am terrified that someone can understand his subject so fully and write so well, because he forces the standard of factual analysis so much higher for the rest of us. And I am terriified by the tapestry of stories that he weaves. This book is as stomach-churning as Primo Levi's accounts of Auschwitz - Beevor demonstrates that German soldiers as well as German camp prisoners were condemned to die in forms of hell that erupted from Hitler's insanity. Christopher Stevens Journalist, book editor
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Summary: One of the most fascinating accounts of war...
Review: I bought this book on vacation in the summer, not knowing what to expect, I was more then surprised when I managed to read the book fairly quickly, which is really saying a lot from me! Why don't we have movies about this, I don't know.
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Summary: The ultimate book on WW2's most important Battle
Review: Hands down, this is the best WW2 book I have read. The strategic and tactical descriptions are very good; however, the "forgotten soldier" stories constitute the strong point of this excellent book. Stalingrad is extremely easy to read, it flows very smoothly. If you are remotely interested in WW2 or History in general BUY THIS BOOK, it is worth it.
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Summary: A very interesting well written book
Review: this is an excellent account of the terrifying battle that was stalingrad. It provides interesting readable facts, stories and a human touch to the capping of the worst decision hitler made, operation barbarossa.
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Summary: Excellent strategic perspective on the battle
Review: Beevor writes an excellent strategic perspective on arguably the most important battle of World War II. I thought it was well researched and gave the reader an excellent perspective on the importance and impact of the battle. After finishing it, however, I wanted to know more personal accounts of the battle, from both sides. The author teased the reader with nondescript, brief personal accounts, but I think the strategic perspective could have been enhanced with some first hand survivor stories. Particularly, those of a German who survived the battle and captivity.
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Summary: Squandered potential of a story of war at its fiercest
Review: Half the book is culled from other sources. The interesting personal details and on-the-spot play-by-play descriptions tantalize as to what a good book this could have been. Beevor doesn't know what to do with all his research or his publisher had him throw it out for mass market appeal. Whichever it was, it's a cowardly act pandering to fiscal factors and populist appeal rather than a gritty, word-picture of the period. There was definitely not enough detail on Stalingrad street fighting and too much historical context. The balancing act between history and portraying war does not come off in this book.
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Summary: Definitive account of Stalingrad
Review: Only the stunning new WWII novel, "The Triumph and the Glory" presents a more spellbinding vision of war on the Eastern Front. Beevor has written the best nonfiction history of this horrific struggle on the Volga since "Enemy at the Gates". The strategy, tactics, successes and blunders of both sides are explored as well as the suffering of the common soldiers during the fateful siege of winter 42/43. A must read for WWII buffs.
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Summary: An excellent book
Review: Beevor combines good writing skills with a military background. There is also a moral in this story: meglomaniac dictators get their fingers burnt when they whip up popular support by invading someone else's territory. Not only that, but the indomitable Fuhrer, who will brook no opposition to his stubborn and manic plans, causes immense problems. It lost Hitler the war: I'm glad. Useful reading.
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Summary: the nightmare of Stalingrad vividly described
Review: This is a fascinating and chilling documentation of a battle that rivalled Verdun in its brutality. Beevor describes events clearly, never sensationalising the horror but nonetheless painting a vivid picture of the unbelievable suffering. The image of Russian troops crossing from the east bank of the Volga towards the doomed city, the river ablaze with burning oil, is indeed one of nightmares. The countless stories of heroism, cowardice and brutality told from both sides ensures a balanced account of the battle. The brutality of the Soviet authorities against their own people seems to have been at least as severe as that of the Germans' treatment of Russians. One incident describes how German Panzers protected captured Russians troops from their own comrades hell-bent on executing them for desertion. It is a remarkable, very readable account of one of the most dreadful chapters in history.
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Summary: Stalingrad an Excellent Book on the Battle
Review: I very much enjoyed Beevor's book, ranking it in some ways with Keegan's work. His ability to get into the psyche of the soldiers on both sides as well as portray the evil of both sets of leaders left a unique impression on me. I rarely feel sorry for either the Germans or the Soviets, but left this book feeling sorry for both. Great read on a fascinating topic
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