For six months in 1942, Stalingrad is the center of a titanic struggle between the Russian and German armies—the bloodiest campaign in mankin...
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reviews
Dec 02, 2008
Eric_W
rated it: 
By 1942, the war against Russia had resolved itself to the outcome of one battle: that for Stalingrad. The Russians refused to budge and made the Germans pay for every foot of bombed-out city. The horrible bombing and shelling by the Germans turned the city into an enormous maze of dens and hiding places, perfect for snipers. The Russians created a special group of talented snipers who managed to put fear into the German soldiers. In response, the Germans sent a sniper whose job it was
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Jul 05, 2009
Becky
rated it: 
Finally I have read a novel by my former creative writing professor! I can stop feeling guilty now.
Wasn't sure if I would enjoy it because it is a war novel, but it is actually a love story masquerading as a war novel - kind of. Also it was about tactics, survival, humanity, good and evil, and some very good characters.
Yet at the same time, by the end, I found myself a little perplexed regarding what it was about - it both began long before and ended after the supposed ce More...
Wasn't sure if I would enjoy it because it is a war novel, but it is actually a love story masquerading as a war novel - kind of. Also it was about tactics, survival, humanity, good and evil, and some very good characters.
Yet at the same time, by the end, I found myself a little perplexed regarding what it was about - it both began long before and ended after the supposed ce More...
Apr 14, 2010
E
rated it:
This was another book that I would never have chosen to read, but was
in the lot of used books on tape that I bought. Again, I ended up
really liking the book.
I'd heard about the battle of Stalingrad being one of the most
horrible and deadliest battles of World War II. This story
made it all too real with details of the suffering on both sides. There were some graphic descriptions of battle , but there were
also insights into the feelings and live More...
Jan 14, 2011
Kelanth, in tenebris lux tua
rated it: 
Per comprendere meglio questo libro bisogna fare una premessa e cioè cosa fu realmente la battaglia di Stalingrado. Fu una delle peggiori carneficine della seconda guerra mondiale, sei mesi di battaglie cruente con un milione di morti durante il periodo estate 1942, febbraio 1943. Questa battaglia fu la prima vera sconfitta della Germania Nazista contro l'Armata Russa. Da questo libro fu tratto anche un bellissimo film "Il Nemico alle Porte" con un giovane Jude Law e un grandissimo Ed
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Jun 27, 2010
Nic
rated it:
Yes I did just give five stars to a war novel. What has gotten into me?
I loved this book. That's quite something, coming from a person of notoriously squishy sensibilities whose last encounter with what you might call a war novel was a required reading of The Killer Angels in tenth grade.
The writing was beautiful and poignant, the plot hooked me, the characters moved me, the well-researched historical details fascinated me. None of the characters is a wanton, laughing More...
I loved this book. That's quite something, coming from a person of notoriously squishy sensibilities whose last encounter with what you might call a war novel was a required reading of The Killer Angels in tenth grade.
The writing was beautiful and poignant, the plot hooked me, the characters moved me, the well-researched historical details fascinated me. None of the characters is a wanton, laughing More...
Jan 29, 2012
Mazel
rated it:
1942.
Depuis six mois, Stalingrad est le siège d'un affrontement titanesque entre les armées soviétique et allemande.
C'est la bataille la plus sanglante de l'histoire de l'humanité. Les soldats allemands l'ont baptisée " la guerre des rats ".
Son issue sera décisive : si les troupes hitlériennes l'emportent, c'est la Russie entière qui tombera. Et, avec elle, le monde entier...
L'affrontement est acharné, les progressions se mesurent en More...
Depuis six mois, Stalingrad est le siège d'un affrontement titanesque entre les armées soviétique et allemande.
C'est la bataille la plus sanglante de l'histoire de l'humanité. Les soldats allemands l'ont baptisée " la guerre des rats ".
Son issue sera décisive : si les troupes hitlériennes l'emportent, c'est la Russie entière qui tombera. Et, avec elle, le monde entier...
L'affrontement est acharné, les progressions se mesurent en More...
Feb 11, 2009
Seth
rated it:
The battle of Stalingrad... a brutal turning point on the eastern front of World War II. More than a million and a quarter German soldiers were killed and one great russian sniper triumped over his german counterpart in a deadly duel of eyes and wits. In one arena of historical entertainment you have this novel, in another you have the hollywood film "Enemy at the gates" both stories involve many of the same charachters who were real people/ although where the truth in their action lie
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Nov 08, 2008
Stefan
rated it:
War of the Rats by David L. Robbins is a solid, readable, well researched narrative of the battle of Stalingrad. I've read several books on Stalingrad and found that for the most part, Robbins tried to create a historically consistent environment and setting. The characters in this book are well created, and since Robbins is a good writer, you feel somewhat attached to the protagonist. I also felt somewhat sympathetic for the German intelligence officer, Nikki, and thought Robbins did a good job
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Sep 22, 2009
Daniel
rated it:
This book is another telling of the story of Vasily Zaitsev, the real life Russian sniper who's uncanny instinct and marksmanship earned him 'hero' status during the grueling battle of Stalingrad. It's a great read, full of suspense and semi-decent character development, but Robbins falls short as a fiction writer in my view. He is clearly a historian at heart, so while I did appreciate the historical accuracy of the novel, the writing was not impressive. Most of his forays into literary devi
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Oct 11, 2010
Joseph
rated it:
An interesting story about an incredibly dark event. This is a fictional novel based on non-fiction events and while I understand Robbins' intentions in adding in the fictional storylines, I can't help but wonder if the book might have been more satisfying without them. The gripping part of the story is the part that actually took place - in contrast, I had to fight back the urge to skipover the "dialogue" and interpersonal relationships that the Robbins invented.
Aug 15, 2009
Mike
rated it:
They say that no matter how vivid your imagination you can not picture the horror that was associated with the Battle for Stalingrad. This book tries to capture the horror of that battle--the Russians entrenched and unable to give an inch and the German soldiers far from home and with a high command that will not allow them to retreat. The book is well written and one I would recommend to anyone interested in this period of history.
Nov 10, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
The best German sniper and the best Russian sniper of WWII are sent to hunt each other in Stalingrad. Meanwhile Stalingrad is starving during the Russian winter, except for the prostitutes who, as always, prosper when soldiers are around. Amid shelling, cannibalism, starvation, prostitution and disease, the two snipers hunt each other down.
According to an interview of the author I heard on NPR, when he was writing the book in the 1990s, he actually went to Russia to interview the R More...
According to an interview of the author I heard on NPR, when he was writing the book in the 1990s, he actually went to Russia to interview the R More...
Aug 04, 2011
Fred
rated it:
Great book. This is the story of Stalingrad and if you've seen the movie ENEMY AT THE GATES then you know the basic premise, however this is more accurate and based on interviews with all of the survivors and actual After Action Reports.
In short, this is a far better read than ENEMY AT THE GATES was a movie. Every infantryman or aspiring infantryman in the Army or Marine Corps should read this. 4.5/5 Stars.
In short, this is a far better read than ENEMY AT THE GATES was a movie. Every infantryman or aspiring infantryman in the Army or Marine Corps should read this. 4.5/5 Stars.
Jun 30, 2009
Eustacia
rated it:
This was an amazing story of the seige of Stalingrad by the Germans during WWII. This story takes place during the same timeframe as City of Thieves, but it focuses on the intense and true cat and mouse game played by a German and Russian sniper as they hunt each other. It was a good war story, all the more interesting because it is based on true events and actual people during this time during the war.
Dec 09, 2009
Bob
rated it:
Great war novel over the real story of what happened at The Battle of Stalingrad during WWII. Based off of first hand accounts and journal entries of the snipers and soldiers of the Red Army as well as the Germans. Told from 2 different perspectives, one of the Russians, and one of the Germans. A must read for any war historian or action enthusiast. Couldn't put it down!
Dec 26, 2011
Emily
rated it: 
This is a fictional story based on actual events and people, which always increases my interest and involvement in a book. It covers the history surrounding the battle and the duel that took place there (two master snipers, one German, one Russian, pitted against each other to win the pride and hope of their country). With the staggering death toll (over 1 million soldiers and almost half a million civilians died) and the significance of this battle in WWII, I was surprised that I had never he
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Mar 01, 2011
Sherri
rated it:
I remember this fictionalized version of the Battle of Stalingrad as being grim but engaging. Of course I hunted it up after the movie (Enemy at the Gates) appeared, and as intense as that movie was, the book had more depth. It's been a few years since I read it so I can't recall it clearly and I no longer have a copy to refresh myself.
Sep 17, 2009
Andy
rated it:
Though likely not terribly historically accurate, I did enjoy reading this book. Somehow I could not get past some of the dialogue, and the relationship between Nikki and the Headmaster was a little unbelievable. It was well researched and very intense, but for a novel based on actual events, it had a little too much of a fictional feel.
Sep 24, 2009
Jenny
rated it:
Listened to the audio edition, read by George Guidall and loved it. This is the fictionalized account of a battle of two snipers (one Russian, one German) during the battle of Stalingrad, in the final phase of WWII. Based on a true story, it is an excellent story and well written.
Jul 31, 2011
Kent
rated it:
An amazing story. If you've seen the movie, "enemies at the gate"' you need to read this book.
Quick, exciting and oftentimes painful to read, the book follows the stories of Russian and German soldiers fight in the battle for Stalingrad.
Highly reccomended.
Quick, exciting and oftentimes painful to read, the book follows the stories of Russian and German soldiers fight in the battle for Stalingrad.
Highly reccomended.
May 29, 2011
Dozer
rated it:
If you enjoyed the movie Enemy at the Gates, I highly recommend this book. If you have never seen the movie, the book takes place in Stalingrad during WWII. It gives a detailed and entertaining account of the sniper battles that took place in the city.
Dec 12, 2010
Jacob
rated it:
I liked the real history that that was in the book. Stalingrad, the untaken city. This city was to be Hitler's special prize. Russia would give it up it up to him. It was too evident that it was an American who was writing about European history. One reason for this was the book was flourished with stereotypical German and Russian characters. The action was very entertaining.
Jul 21, 2011
Sadiq
rated it:
This book took me to “Stalingrad” into the heart of the battle. Using a personal battle between 2 master snipers and then expanding the picture to paint a picture of the Battle of Stalingrad is brilliant.
I read this book after watching Enemy at the Gates. The difference is very obvious, in the book the battles and characters are more detailed and extremely engaging. It gives us a honest look into the core of men and women in battle.
I read this book after watching Enemy at the Gates. The difference is very obvious, in the book the battles and characters are more detailed and extremely engaging. It gives us a honest look into the core of men and women in battle.
Jun 23, 2008
MG
rated it:
David L. Robbins writes a spectacular look at Vassily Zeitsev, the Master Sniper from "Enemy At The Gates" fame.
While the movie "Enemy At The Gates" is only taken from two pages of the book by William Craig, Robbins' "War of the Rats" gets into much better detail.
It's a definitel page-turner. You can smell the putrid landscape of Stalingrad. The cordite smell from spent shell casings fills your nostrils. You feel the dirt and the grime as th More...
While the movie "Enemy At The Gates" is only taken from two pages of the book by William Craig, Robbins' "War of the Rats" gets into much better detail.
It's a definitel page-turner. You can smell the putrid landscape of Stalingrad. The cordite smell from spent shell casings fills your nostrils. You feel the dirt and the grime as th More...
Jun 20, 2011
Wm
rated it:
Re-reading before the paperback completely bio-degrades. I first read this in the 1980s. The book was generally the basis for the movie "Enemy at the Gates" about two soldiers dueling in Stalingrad in WW2.
Jul 21, 2009
Damien
rated it:
I don't usually like paperback fiction like this. But it kept my interest. Action filled about the battle of Stalingrad. There were two books out at the same time about this, even a movie. All were good.
Jun 08, 2010
Chuck
rated it:
A dark, grim story about the German blitzkreig of Stalingrad in WWII.
Hitler sends his top sniper to Stalingrad to hunt down and kill Russia's top sniper. Very interesting story.
Hitler sends his top sniper to Stalingrad to hunt down and kill Russia's top sniper. Very interesting story.
Dec 12, 2010
Avtar
rated it:
A perfect setting for two top class snipers. The fight for survival and intricate details makes this novel an awe inspiring book. A must for all those who like War novels.
Apr 26, 2010
John
rated it:
Perhaps a bit too romantic, but a compelling view of the Battle of Stalingrad.
