Overy gained exclusive access to previously unavailable information from the former KGB, GRU, and presidential archives to assemble this definitive book that fully covers the Russian efforts to defeat the Axis powers in World War II. 70 photos. 9 maps.
Russia's War: A History of the Soviet Effort: 1941-1945
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As German armies stampeded through the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, Nazi politicians and Western statesmen alike predicted the USSR's collapse. In Russia's War, a balanced and acute portrayal of a combat theater that claimed more than 40 million Soviet lives, Richard Overy tells the story of how Stalin and his commanders held off defeat and engineered the most significant military achievement of the Second World War: the destruction of the Wehrmacht.
Russia's War is far from a tale of triumph, as the Russian capacity for resourceful creativity, desperate courage, and raw endurance was matched, if not exceeded, by the brutal oppression of the Soviet system. Overy argues, however, that victory was the result of precisely this uneasy combination. Drawing from extensive archival sources made available in the wake of glasnost, he revises both our conception of the Red Army as a horde that overwhelmed the Germans and the accepted wisdom that Hitler's defeat was the result of strategic bungling and a logistical overreach of the Nazi forces. Perhaps his most poignant contribution is the discussion of the crisis that recent disclosures have provoked in the Russian understanding of the conflict. What was once viewed by the Soviets as the "Great Patriotic War" has become "a crucible of miserable and incomprehensible revelations." In spite of these confusions, Russia's War commences to find significance in a contest that repeatedly disquiets and humbles the historical imagination. --James Highfill
Review
Masterly ... a vivid account -- Robert Service Independent A dramatic and exciting tale ... His set-piece descriptions of such visions of Hell as Stalingrad, the 900-day siege of Leningrad and the crucial battle of Kursk are as fascinating as they are horrifying -- Alan Judd Sunday Times Overy is a first-class military historian ... He writes concisely and says what he means to say ... Now, we have an authoritative British account that understands both sides, without illusions -- Norman Stone Spectator Excellent ... Overy tackles this huge, complex and multifaceted story with the vital gifts of clarity and brevity -- Antony Beevor Literary Review
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By R. Albin
Format:Paperback
This fluently written book was written originally as a companion to a series of documentaries about the Eastern Front. It is intended as a general overview of the Soviet war effort. It is not a detailed, traditional military history and concentrates on almost exclusively on the Soviet side of the conflict. This orientation is appropriate because the great majority of the literature on the Eastern front is drawn from German sources and expresses, either explicitly or implicitly, a German point of view. A good deal of the analysis and description is drawn from documentation that became available after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and is drawn from the work of other scholars whose work Overy is careful to acknowledge.
Overy is as concerned with social and economic history as he is with political, diplomatic, and military history. The initial chapters are a nice precis of the evolution of the Soviet armed forces from their birth in the Civil War to the eve of WWII. Relevant social, political, and economic history is introduced. There is a good chapter on Soviet diplomatic manuvering before the war, a fine series of chapters covering the major phases of the war, and a good section on the aftermath of the war. The actions and character of Stalin are a strong current throughout the book, emphasizing his central role in Soviet history.
Overy is as concerned with social and economic history as he is with political, diplomatic, and military history. The initial chapters are a nice precis of the evolution of the Soviet armed forces from their birth in the Civil War to the eve of WWII. Relevant social, political, and economic history is introduced. There is a good chapter on Soviet diplomatic manuvering before the war, a fine series of chapters covering the major phases of the war, and a good section on the aftermath of the war. The actions and character of Stalin are a strong current throughout the book, emphasizing his central role in Soviet history.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Thomas Bond
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent and balanced overview of the Soviet-German war of 1941-1945. Overy uses the very best information available to give a person an excellent introduction to this titanic struggle.
The Eastern Front of WWII is a complicated and diverse subject, a victim of the Cold War, this largest struggle in human history is as hard to navigate as a minefield. Misinformation is not uncommon from historians pre-1991 from both East and West. Not until recently has many myths and legends been verified or dismissed, only after the fall of Communism in Europe could historian truly start to make ground breaking research on the Eastern Front of WWII.
What Overy does in ï¿Russiaï¿s Warï¿ is give us a great tour of the Eastern Front and the people and places that are center point to the event. This is not a complete history, actually this is only a good introduction to the war, but is great for both beginning interest in the war and for quick reference for seasoned WWII researchers. He shows us the great sacrifice the people of the USSR made to defeat Nazi Germany, he also gives us a glimpse at how futile it was when their own Government was not much better then the enemy. Highly recommend this book to anyone that has a desire to obtain an understanding of this ï¿War of Annihilationï¿.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is superb. It really tells the story of the German-Soviet part of World War II without being too long or too dry. It was interesting and easy to read. It is told from the Russian perspective, which is refreshing. I agree that the before and after parts of this book are invaluable in setting the stage and in putting the conflict into perspective. A must-read for anyone interested in WW2 history.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This is an awesome book describing how Russia won the Soviet war effort against the Nazis. This was required reading in one of my history courses in college. Read more
Published on April 10 2004 by christianwriter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing
Russia won the II World War. It engaged 80% of German military and inflicted 80% of casualties on the overall German force. It significantly expanded its territory. Read more
Published on April 1 2004 by Gene Zafrin
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Forgotten Front
The Soviet defeat of the Nazi war machine was a vital element in the outcome of World War II. In fact, the Eastern front might have been the factor in the destruction of Nazi... Read more
Published on Nov 6 2002 by Nick Sarantakes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye-Opening Account For Non-Russians
About a year ago I read an excellent book by Mr. Overy, entitled "Why The Allies Won." I was very impressed by that book so I decided to take a chance on this one as well. Read more
Published on Oct 21 2002 by Bruce Loveitt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Total-itarian warfare
The value of this study is that it puts RUSSIA'S WAR in a political and social setting. The military campaigns are all here starting with Barbarossa which commenced on June 21st,... Read more
Published on May 23 2002 by "michaeleve"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommendable Introduction to the USSR at War
Overy's work in this text version of a TV documentary series resides as a truly worthwhile introductory book on the USSR war effort against Germany and the mindset and... Read more
Published on Jun 15 2001 by Keith Endres
3.0 out of 5 stars
Highly uneven
One can't help but compare this book with David Glantz's and Jonathan House's "When Titans Clashed". Read more
Published on Feb 16 2001 by "sheremet"
2.0 out of 5 stars
Readable but superficial
Richard Overy is the author of the interesting and provocative work "Why the allies won". Which is an examination of the broader issues around the comparative strength of... Read more
Published on Jan 1 2001 by Tom Munro
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tense narrative coupled with incisive analysis.
The Russo-German struggle of 1941-45 is such a vast and complex affair, Overy's real achievement is his ability to make it comprehensible in so short a volume. Read more
Published on Dec 21 2000 by Budge Burgess
4.0 out of 5 stars
A concise account of the great patriotic war
Dr. Overys book is a well written analytical as well as narrative of what the Russians referrers to as the 'Great Patriotic War'. Read more
Published on Dec 8 2000 by Erling
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