199 Days: The Battle for Stalingrad

Granted, Edwin P. Hoyt does give a rather simplified account of the battle entire (a lot of time is spent on explaining the opening of the war), but this was the first book I read on Stalingrad. I think that's what this book basically is: an introduction.Some people might not like the fluff added in (although I must admit reading about the Russian girl beating up the German soldier made my day), but I think for those not yet ready for the cold, hard facts it pretty much entices your interest to learn more. I have to also add it was great to read about the true story of what was later made into the film "Enemy at the Gates." When I saw the trailer for the movie this book was the first thing to pop in my mind. To me, Edwin P. Hoyt is like the H.P. Lovecraft of history. He may not talk about any thing new and he may not be the best of the best, but man can this guy write!I wouldn't call it the definitive book on Stalingrad, but if you'd like a nice read from all the hardcore factual history books out there, or you've gotten interested in this field of history, then it's a good book to get.

This is an excellent book on Russian history. The background info was very informative and the great and authentic history of the battle is described with full colour. This is a must buy for any history fanatic.

This book synthesizes all of the environmental factors of war: ruthless, motivated, and well-armed enemies bent on destroying one another; the physical environment, such as the bitter freezing cold, followed by the spring mud, the fear, the hunger, and the pain. This book absolutely de-glorifies war, although it leaves you with respect for the incredible sacrifices and pain the induvidual soldiers had to endure. This book provides lucid, understandable operational and tactical details of Hitler's Barbarossa campaign and the Battle for Stalingrad. It also provides a pretty good leadership study of the German and Russian Generals.I salute the brave Russian soldiers who defended their homeland! I also offer my respects to the teenage German soldiers who were swept into the jaws of Hell and didn't know any better.

I have enjoyed reading and rereading this documentary and put it on par with the books The Rommel Papers, Iwo Jima and Korea for its depth and coverage.