jjares reviewed Leningrad: A Captivating Guide to the Siege of Leningrad and Its Impact on World War 2 and the Soviet Union on + 3306 more book reviews
Captivating History made this book so much more powerful by emphasizing the suffering of the civilians of Leningrad. This is the story of 900 days of suffering, told in a concise, but robust terms. The book starts by giving a short overview of the city of Leningrad and its value to the Russian people. It was considered to be a cultural center of the USSR.
Quickly and concisely, the author explains Hitler's moves after signing a non-aggression pact with Stalin. Probably the reason Hitler wasn't successful was that he had to go to the aid of his ally, Mussolini. This delayed Hitler's attack on Leningrad. After reading this, it is obvious that winters in Russia are not for the faint-hearted or underdressed. However, Hitler was expecting a quick defeat of Leningrad.
The real power of this book is the extensive look into the conditions the Russians lived under for the 900 days. Hitler planned to level the city to the ground and the Russian people must have understood their danger. The photos add much to the understanding of the citizens' suffering. It says much about the resilience of the people to see that they turned out guns and even tanks during the siege (because of the tremendous number of supplies sent across the "Road of Life" to the people of Leningrad).
Quickly and concisely, the author explains Hitler's moves after signing a non-aggression pact with Stalin. Probably the reason Hitler wasn't successful was that he had to go to the aid of his ally, Mussolini. This delayed Hitler's attack on Leningrad. After reading this, it is obvious that winters in Russia are not for the faint-hearted or underdressed. However, Hitler was expecting a quick defeat of Leningrad.
The real power of this book is the extensive look into the conditions the Russians lived under for the 900 days. Hitler planned to level the city to the ground and the Russian people must have understood their danger. The photos add much to the understanding of the citizens' suffering. It says much about the resilience of the people to see that they turned out guns and even tanks during the siege (because of the tremendous number of supplies sent across the "Road of Life" to the people of Leningrad).
