Stalingrad by Antony Beevor

Stalingrad by Antony Beevor

Did somebody read this book, if yes does it worth it, because I've seen some review that were saying that it is kind of ''based only on blood'' book.

Your opinion will be useful.

Thank you

 

Buy it read it as I did some four years ago.

 

Thank you Richard

 

An excellent read, had the advantage of getting access to the Soviet Army and politburo archives.
I'm not really into the eastern front but the book is well worth reading even if only from a public library.

 

I found it to be a fantastic account of Stalingrad, from both sides. Highly reccomended.

 

I heard that it has declassified records from the politburo archive as airborne medic state, but I am not sure if this is true. Although I have heard this from others on this forum. I am not sure which things in the book are declassified files and which are just accounts. It is definitely worth the money.

 

Thought I'd add something to this old thread for the benefit of Beevor fans ( and non-fans ! ).

In 2004, a book appeared called 'Russia : War, Peace & Diplomacy - Essays In Honour Of John Erickson' (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London ). It includes many fascinating essays by such luminaries as David M Glantz, Omer Bartov, Huw Strachan, etc.

There is a Stalingrad image on the cover and, for me, the best essay in the book is by Antony Beevor entitled 'Stalingrad And Researching The Experience Of War'. The essay gives a very full account of Beevor's experiences of researching in the Russian archives, and elsewhere ( eg in Germany ). He has, of course, subsequently been able to use his 'finds' to write other books ( such as Berlin and A Writer At War ).

All in all, very interesting stuff and whether you like his work or not, you have to give Beevor credit - he's not faking it......

 

I have the book and think it is a great one. Definitely one to add to your library

 

It's one of the few books I've read about the Eastern front and can highly recommend it.

 

So well written, that at times I had to put it down, marvel at the loss of life and waste of it all.

 

After seeing the intrest this book has raised I started it tonight only a few chapters in but it has my attention and is very readable, and as said before I have Berlin, to read as well if Stalingrad, pans out the way it has started im looking forward to it.Then I only have to find Beevor's Crete book.

 

Here's something quite interesting - a friend has e-mailed me to say her daughter's school in Hammersmith, London is hosting a lecture by Antony Beevor on March 7th - the subject being how he researched 'Stalingrad' and 'Berlin'.

And was I interested in having a ticket ?

Well - yes, actually ! A WWIIF Special Report to follow, I think........

 

I dunno Martin, it just falls in your lap some people have all the luck are you taking Stalingrad or Berlin with you to get signed

 

My copy of 'Stalingrad' is already signed....

 

While an excellent account of Stalingrad, the book for me tends to slow down and get a little ( if I may use the term ) dull towards the middle and end.

While I would recommend this book. I personally am a bigger fan on Michael K. Jone's Stalingrad.

 

Really fascinating evening yesterday at Godolphin & Latymer School, Hammersmith......the school hall was absolutely packed with people to hear Antony Beevor's lecture about the researching of his Stalingrad and Berlin books. It was sad to hear that the Russian archives to which he was granted access in 1995/6 are now once again closed to 'outside' historians and researchers - and alarming to hear that in recent weeks the Russian authorities have deemed any published criticism of the Red Army in WWII as an offence comparable to 'Holocaust Denial' in Europe......

Anyhow, Mr Beevor delivered a well-rehearsed, highly articulate and entertaining lecture - the Forum's intrepid reporter arrived early and grabbed a seat at the very front to get this photo...




There was also a good 'questions from the floor' section. Someone ( not me ! ) asked a question which has been raised on this Forum recently, ie 'Was Stalingrad the turning point of WWII?'.

Antony Beevor's reply was that he considered there to have been three actual 'turning points' of WWII - all of which concerned the Eastern Front.

they were : -

1) December 1941 - the reverse at Moscow and the entry of the USA into WWII ( the 'geo-political turning point' ).

2) Stalingrad - the 'psychological turning point'.

3) Kursk - the 'military turning point'.

And he did confirm that in his opinion Stalingrad was the moment when the 'ordinary German' came to realise that the war would not end well for them......

 

I'm currently helping Mike on his next project. It's his best yet, features much more German input as well as some really, really, harrowing Soviet accounts.

 

I have read "Stalingrad" by Beevor some years ago now, I found it a good read and would recomened it.

 

One of the best military books written in my opinion, Anthony is speaking at the National Army Museum in June to promote his new book about D Day. should be good !

 

Like Lord Noodles--I bought and read the book--as well as his Berlin book-some several years ago and thououghly enjoyed them both with the Stalingrad book as my favorite of the two.