jjares reviewed The Eastern Front: A Captivating Guide to Soviet Union in World War 2, the Winter War, Siege of Leningrad, Operation Barbarossa and Battle of Stalingrad on + 3278 more book reviews
This is Captivating History at its finest; these individual stories fit into a fascinating whole. I learned so much about Russian history in this group of books. Essentially, they are historical narratives that bring not-all-that-well-known-issues forward and explains why they happened, what happened, and how that changed the world. Captivating History excels at telling the 'why' of actions; a reader isn't educated until that person understands why things happen. That is how people and history avoid repeating past mistakes.
Of these individual books, I thought the 'Winter War' to be the most enlightening (to me). The world wars were vague, awful periods of history. But "The Winter War" explained so much of what was to happen later. In the stream of things, it was probably a minor interlude, but it had profound ramifications. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't remember learning about this segment of world history; it was told in such a fascinating way that I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down.
Usually, what Russians suffered in World War ll is told simply as 'x-number of people died.' These stories of 'The Siege of Leningrad' and the 'Battle of Leningrad' make the horror seem real and almost personal. Now I understand why Russians talk about WWll as if it happened last week (Our daughter studied there one summer and she was constantly amazed by how often the Russians talked about that war). It must have had terrible effects on the nation's psyche.
Each segment fits together to give a clear picture of Russia, complete with the tumult of the revolution, Stalin, Hitler, and world war. Don't miss this extraordinary collection.
Of these individual books, I thought the 'Winter War' to be the most enlightening (to me). The world wars were vague, awful periods of history. But "The Winter War" explained so much of what was to happen later. In the stream of things, it was probably a minor interlude, but it had profound ramifications. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't remember learning about this segment of world history; it was told in such a fascinating way that I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down.
Usually, what Russians suffered in World War ll is told simply as 'x-number of people died.' These stories of 'The Siege of Leningrad' and the 'Battle of Leningrad' make the horror seem real and almost personal. Now I understand why Russians talk about WWll as if it happened last week (Our daughter studied there one summer and she was constantly amazed by how often the Russians talked about that war). It must have had terrible effects on the nation's psyche.
Each segment fits together to give a clear picture of Russia, complete with the tumult of the revolution, Stalin, Hitler, and world war. Don't miss this extraordinary collection.
