Best Russo-German War book?

What is the best book on the Russo-German war; A) from the German point of view; B)from the Soviet point of view?

 

Good question, and you'll probably get different answers depending on the definition of 'best'....

My own recommendations would be ; -

John Erickson's two books, 'The Road To Stalingrad' and 'The Road To Berlin'. I'd almost say that these are best from the Soviet POV due to Erickson's access to Russian sources. Dry reading, but a superb analysis.

'Paul Carell's' trilogy, 'Hitler's War On Russia', 'Scorched Earth' and 'Bildband'. I know this will be controversial ( 'Carell' was in the SS ) but they give the German point-of-view as, again, Carell had unique acess to German sources at a time when memories of the fighting were still fresh. Outdated in many ways and biased, but a very powerful read with stunning photos.

And the best German POV account, whther 'novelised' or not, Guy Sajer's 'Forgotten Soldier'.

 

I have read the 'Roads' respectively and yes, they are quite good from the Soviet perspective. I saw 'Scorched Earth' just the other day and will have to pick it up. Thanks Martin.

 

'Ivans War' by Catherin Merridale is good if you want to know what life was like rather than a Ganz style strategy exploration.

 

Ziemke is good in my opinion but the books are rather detailed and a bit dry thus. But excellent reading.

Beevor´s Stalingrad: easy to read and understand.

On the Soviet higher command side I liked Zhukov´s memoirs although I heard there was an uncensored version published later on ( have not seen one yet ). Also Chuikov had memoirs written in two parts 1943-44 and 44-45. Less of the usual propaganda in these.

 

I'm not a fan of Bevor, found him turgid to read and fairly biased, but then I guess that's unavoidable.

 

Stefan.
I have to say it's a relief to find someone else who feels the same way about Beevor's books, they are so often praised and I can respect the level of scholarship and research but how on earth did he manage to make Stalingrad seem so dull for the second half of that book.
Cheers,
Adam.

 

Beevor is biased in which direction?

 

Alexander Werth's "Russia At War,1941-1945" first published in 1964, is one of the best I've read on this subject.

 

Hello gentlemen,

I'm interested in buying John Erickson's 2 volumes on the Eastern Front. Whereever you look their reviews are usually quite good, but are they readable or just endless listings of which units moved where at what time, who commanded which unit etc. ?

Regards,
I-16 Rata

 

Quite readable, I think. 3" thick both of them, yes, lots of 5 Tank Army went there and did so and so - and it's difficult to write about troop movements otherwise - but lots of personal detail and action.

I've read them twice and I do consult them a lot. After I clear my present pile I may go through them again.

Red Storm on the Reich by Christopher Duffy, and When Titans Clashed by David Glantz, are also very interesting.

 

Hello Za Rodinu,

Thank you for the info, that's just what I needed. I think I'll check out Glanz's Kursk book also.

Regards,
I-16 Rata

 

Glanz's Kursk book is good as well, but would benefit from clearer maps, better located and more frequent. But don't let this deter you, the book is fine.

 

Thanks to Carl's thread elsewhere, thought I'd resurrect this old one......

I'm currently reading - and thoroughly enjoying - Joel Hayward's 'Stopped At Stalingrad' ( University Press of Kansas 1998 ). Although this is basically the story of the Luftwaffe's part in the Crimea/Caucasus/Stalingrad actions of 1942, it gives a very good overall account of the battles.

I have to confess that I started the book and gave up a couple of years ago ; the first couple of 'scene-setting' chapters I found to be heavy going. But as soon as Wolfram von Richthofen appears ( the author makes extensive use of diaries ) the story moves at a much faster pace and I'm finding the book quite gripping.

One of the better 'academic' books I've read about the Eastern Front......

 

Bloody Streets The Soviet assualt on Berlin,April 1945 by A Stephan Hamilton is awesome with some great photos.

 

Hi;
Russki POV?
Vasily Grossman's "A Writer at War"; A Writer at War: Vasily Grossman with the Red Army, 1941-1945 | PRI's The World
And Grossman's fictionalization "Life and Fate" is accounted by some as the best novel of the 20th century.
German POV?
A tie between Sajer and Von Mellenthin.
JEffinMNUSA

 

I did not really like "A writer at War". Its been a while since i read it, but it didnt really leave a lasting impression. Who knows maybe i was in the wrong frame of mind when reading the book.

 

Hi;
Grossman was no military man, but he was witness to the events described, and in possession of a certain amount of talent. He was also suffering horrendously because to the mass murder of his people-Jewish AND SOVIET- and most particularly the murder of his mother-and it shows in his writings. "A Writer at War" is a difficult read because of this level of pain-and if this one is difficult "Life and Fate" is nearly impossible. Hard eyed old me had to skip over the final death camp scenes as they were too excruciating. Not for everybody, but the best eyewitness accounts available.
JeffinMNUSA
PS. The best global books? Well the post Cold War authors have a much expanded data base to work with, and Michael K Jones is the most engaging of the "new kids on the block."

 

Evan Mawdsley's book "Thunder in the East" was excellent.

 

Makes 3 of us... I personally enjoyed Stalingrad by Michael K. Jones a far more enjoyable read.