What is the best 1 volume overview book of the East Front in WWII?

[Sgian Dubh]

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

[Sgt Steiner]

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

[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.

[Guest Sgt. Emren]

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 ]

[gunnergoz]

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.

[killmore]

"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???

[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.

[M. Mc Auliffe]

As noted, "Barbarossa" by Alan Clarke is a good single volume book and it should be easy to find.

[Lars]

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.

[Madison]

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

[Panzer Leader]

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.)

[Barrold]

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

[Lars]

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?

[Panzer Leader]

Or Panzer Commander by von lucke?

[Lars]

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 ]

[Panzer Leader]

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.

[Lars]

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?

[Stormhouse]

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

[Little_Black_Devil]

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

[Lawyer]

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.

[killmore]

Originally posted by Madison:

I would highly recommend a few books by David Glantz, in particular, When Titans Clashed.

John

Thats 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 ]

[USGrant]

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

[Cameroon]

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

[von Lucke]

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>

[Rob Murray]

Another great book is David Glantz' Zhukov's Greatest Defeat.