Sgian Dubh Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 I need to do more background reading. I have found numerous books on particular battles, etc. but I would like to obtain one that provides a solid overview of the entire war on the Eastern Front in WWII. Suggestions, please. SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt Steiner Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Hi Barbarossa by Alan Clarke is decent overall account and is available in Paperback in UK (Cassell Military Series) at very reasonable £6.99 or thereabouts. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobVarak Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 I recommend "Ostfront" by Charles Winchester. The local grogs have singed me a bit about it, but I think it's a great, light introduction and overview. Puts everything into context nicely and has an exhaustive bibliography that can guide more detailed study. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sgt. Emren Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Check out "The German-Russo War 1941-45" by Albert Seaton. It's division level accounts, a bit light on maps but excellent on operational records. Gives interesting figure (casualties, armor, artillery, etc.) as well. Good references for further studies as well. [ September 16, 2002, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: Sgt. Emren ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnergoz Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 I'm currently reading anything I can get my hands on that was written by David M Glantz. My next purchase will be his book on Kursk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killmore Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 "Barbarossa" by Alan Clark I read at least 4 others. Most were highly unbalanced toward german point of view. Book by Glanz was also OK but at times just too short! Just one page about what happened during Zitadelle??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimguy Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 I also recommend Barbarossa. Terrific read, IMHO. I also enjoyed a book called Panzer Attacks. Can't remember the author (retired German staff general), but caught the mood of the battles, despite giving the germans too much credit at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Mc Auliffe Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 As noted, "Barbarossa" by Alan Clarke is a good single volume book and it should be easy to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Originally posted by Crimguy: I also recommend Barbarossa. Terrific read, IMHO. I also enjoyed a book called Panzer Attacks. Can't remember the author (retired German staff general), but caught the mood of the battles, despite giving the germans too much credit at times.F. von Mellenthin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madison Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 I would highly recommend a few books by David Glantz, in particular, When Titans Clashed. http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/glawhe.html Its a great read and I feel it is a bit above the Alan Clarke account, as I have read both and enjoyed both. Best John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Leader Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Mellinthin wrote another book besides Panzer Battles? I agree that Clarke's Barbarossa is a great and engaging primer, though it is dated in some quibbling matters. Also Glantz, (all of it) but especially When Titans Clashed (short but good with the most up-to-date info, including recently uncovered documents.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrold Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 I am trying to fit in Glantz' "Battle of Kursk" and "When Titans Clashed" in between college course material. I am enjoying them both very much as companions to the volumes by Erickson. I need a few more hours in the day for non-classwork! BDH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Originally posted by Panzer Leader: Mellinthin wrote another book besides Panzer Battles?Whoops, maybe I posted too quickly. Must have been because I was looking through my bookshelf for something to read and Panzer Battles caught my eye. Perhaps he means Panzer Leader by Guderian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Leader Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Or Panzer Commander by von lucke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Originally posted by Panzer Leader: Or Panzer Commander by von lucke?But he wasn't a staff general. Or on the Eastern Front, IIRC. [ September 16, 2002, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: Lars ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Leader Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 True, how about Panzer on the Eastern Front by Gen. Erhard Raus? He was a general, has "panzer" in the title and is about Russia. Actually, I just finished it and it is great! Something like four battles all of unique nature, described and detailed for (I think) staff training. I bet you're right though that it was Mellinthin, although that was more about combat than the whole sweeping strategy, if I remember correctly. Clarke blends the entire war into focus with his excellent prose, including maps where necessary. Sometimes he writes at the level of international leaders, but he will often change his perspective and focus on minor events if he deems themimportant. Great book, can't say enough good about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 Originally posted by Panzer Leader: True, how about Panzer on the Eastern Front by Gen. Erhard Raus?What, do we have the same book collection? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhouse Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 This is not a book and it has been posted before but it's a excellent link that you might enjoy. http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/glantz2/glantz2.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little_Black_Devil Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 I would highly reccomend Professor John Erickson's two volume set on the Eastern Front; "The Road to Stalingrad" and "The Road to Berlin". An absolute wealth of information. Some heavy reading to be sure, but your grasp of events on the Eastern Front would be better for it. At least - that was my experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyer Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Originally posted by RobVarak: I recommend "Ostfront" by Charles Winchester. The local grogs have singed me a bit about it, but I think it's a great, light introduction and overview. Puts everything into context nicely and has an exhaustive bibliography that can guide more detailed study.I agree. This is an Osprey book with pictures and maps that runs 150 pages. It will give you a quick understanding of what happened on the east front. Then you can better appreciate the deeper books as you have time. That's what I'm doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killmore Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Originally posted by Madison: I would highly recommend a few books by David Glantz, in particular, When Titans Clashed. JohnThats the one that had 1 page description of progress of Kursk (Zitadelle) battle. -->Way to brief at times! -->Not enough maps! Otherwise quite reasonable book. [ September 16, 2002, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: killmore ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USGrant Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 While not solely Russian Front, I've always liked the West Point Atlas of American Wars for a broad overview of WWII in text and maps. The maps are available at: http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/dhistorymaps/Atlas%20Page.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameroon Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Sgian Dubh, thank's for asking the question I was going to ask. I don't have much in the way of funds to spread around and am looking to probably pick up one, reasonably priced and reasonably intelligent/useful book on the East Front. I actually figured this would be a big ol' furball of conflicting opinions, but it sounds like "Barbarossa" by Clarke is getting the majority of votes. I'll likely be forced to purchase it via Amazon since my geographic area is lacking in fine cultural establishments, like good bookstores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von Lucke Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Originally posted by Lars: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Panzer Leader: Or Panzer Commander by von lucke?But he wasn't a staff general. Or on the Eastern Front, IIRC.</font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Murray Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 Another great book is David Glantz' Zhukov's Greatest Defeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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