Stalingrad: Hitler's Biggest Gamble October 1942

by Will Fowler

With firsthand accounts from both sides, vivid photographs, and specially commissioned maps of the combat zones, Stalingrad is a comprehensive examination of the failure of the German assault that ultimately decidedthe course of the war in the East.
 
In early October 1942 the German Sixth Army realized that it had one last chance to break through the Soviet lines and capture Stalingrad before exhaustion and the Russian winter set in. Stalingrad examines this last attempt by the Germans to win the city and how the Red Army managed to hang on against the odds, marking a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front. With detailed timelines, it follows the action hour by hour, day by day, for an entire week, analyzing the tactical maneuvers of both sides during the attacks.

Genres: Military History, World War II

192 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Will Fowler is Professor of Spanish at the University of St Andrews, where he has taught since 1995. He earned his PhD at the University of Bristol and worked as a lecturer in Spanish at Leicester Polytechnic (subsequently renamed De Montfort University) for four years before joining the University of St Andrews.

Reviews

[George1st · Rating 5 out of 5]

With over 120 photographs, graphics and maps, together with an informative and readable narrative, this book will provide the reader with an insight and appreciation into the circumstances and events of this terrible and devastating battle.

This was indeed the turning point of the Second World War. From its conclusion the Red Army would begin its onward push towards Berlin against the now fatally wounded Axis forces fighting on the Eastern front.

The book not only gives a detailed examination of the battle itself, but places it into the wider context of the Russion campaign. First the failure to capture Moscow in 1941, followed by the plan to invade the Caucasus, to reach their rich oilfields.

The book contains firsthand accounts from both sides, biographies of the key players and descriptions of the weaponry used.

The sheer horror of the street by street fighting is conveyed in a city that was completely destroyed.
I found some unknown facts new to myself here, including that Russian POWs fought on the German side and that 90 % of the city was under German control ot one point.

A fascinating read that will appeal to those with an interest in the past.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Stalingrad: Hitler's Biggest Gamble October 1942" eBook was published in 2020 and was written by Will Fowler. Mr. Fowler is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The book covers the activities of both the German and Soviet forces in and around Stalingrad in October of 1942.

The actions of the German forces and Soviet forces are laid out in a step by step manner. Several excellent maps are provided showing the positions of various units and how they responded to the evolving battle. Several photos are also included in the book. The book provides a very detailed chronicle of the battle for Stalingrad as it came to a bitter end.

I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 192-page WWII history. I have read a lot about the war in Europe, but this is the most detailed book I have read about the battle of Stalingrad. The very brutal war on both sides is depicted in great detail. Clearly, Hitler’s obsession with taking the Soviet city named for Stalin drove him to make decisions that were not in the best interest of the German military forces. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[S Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why are there no source notes?

Fowler wrote, "On Christmas Day the German Propaganda Ministry in Berlin broadcast the “Ring Broadcast’, greetings from the crew of a U-boat in the Atlantic, men of the Afrika Korps in North Africa, the garrison of the Atlantic Wall and, over a crackling radio link, the men of Stalingrad, ‘the front on the Volga. Their voices then blended together in ‘Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht’, the classic German Christmas carol. It was dramatic and very moving — and faked up in radio studios in Berlin." (page 167).

Fowler only put a bibliography page. Are we supposed to guess which source he got his claim from (if it's even in one of those sources)? My guess is he got that claim from Craig's Enemy at the Gates listed in the bibliography.

As for Craig's book, on page 301, Craig wrote that the 1942 Christmas ring broadcast (ringsendung) was fabricated. It appears that Craig's source for this was on page 440, "The author listened to the Ring Broadcast, played during the twenty-fifth anniversary documentary on German television." It's surprising that an author would think that watching TV proves anything.

[Craig Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Nonfiction military history books are difficult to make into something that has 'readability' Stalingrad suffers from a cold recitation of fact and situations that fail to hold the readers interest. The maps provided thankfully are detailed enough to show what is happening without being confusingly detailed nor worthlessly simplistic. This book is informative but lacks the narrative warmth to keep the reader interested.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about the war at Stalingrad during World War II and Hitler's obsession with taking over the city named after Stalin. The author's detailed maps made it easier to understand this book. This is a great book about something many people do not know much about that occurred during WWII.

[Davy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice interesting pictures that aren't what you normally see. $1 at Half Price Books clearance makes it a can't miss.
Seems there are more German oriented pictures but can be a good supplement book if you are reading about Stalingrad or even watching the great movie Enemy at the Gates with Jude Law and Ed Harris. Glad I wasn’t there.

[Ian Willey · Rating 3 out of 5]

changed the title average fair for those not really well read on the subject but an ok read to pass the time