Russia Beseiged

World War II #6

by Nicholas Bethell

Book 6 of the Time-Life World War II series. Captioned photographs and text describe the invasion of Russia by the Germans.

Genres: History, War, Russia, Nonfiction, Military History, World War II, Military Fiction

208 pages, Library Binding

First published December 1, 1977

About the author

Nicholas William Bethell, 4th Baron Bethell (19 July 1938 – 8 September 2007) was a British politician. He was a historian of Central and Eastern Europe. He was also a translator and human rights activist. He sat in the House of Lords as a Conservative from 1967 to 1999. He served as an appointed member of the European Assembly from 1975 to 1979, and as an elected Member of the European Parliament from 1979 to 1994, and from 1999 to 2003.

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a two-time traveler to the lands of the former Soviet Union, I can attest to the lingering memory of what the Soviets call “The Great Patriotic War.” Most elderly men walked around with medals on their outer garments and there are war armaments and memorials in many places to commemorate the titanic struggle that took place in Eastern Europe between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. It is truly the case that compared to what took place in Eastern Europe, all other fronts were sideshows.
The amount of death and destruction that took place in the Soviet Union is still staggering to contemplate. The best estimates of the total deaths is 24 million, more than one-quarter of all the people killed and the economic destruction was horrific. Both sides carried out a scorched-Earth policy, so the land in the Soviet Union that was fought over was razed twice within a few years.
This book is primarily a photo documentary of the war between Germany and the Soviet Union in the years where there was doubt as to the victor. The initial welcoming of the invaders is covered, for many Ukrainians thought that the Germans had to be better than the Stalinists. That quickly changed as the death squads did their work and the war became about defending “Mother Russia” rather than the battle between political ideologies.
It is an excellent primer on the war, showing the citizens that formed the Red Army for what they were. Enormously patriotic people that willingly risked death in order to defeat a brutal and hated invader.

[spike marlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these WWII books by Time-Life. Very easy to read. Full of facts and anecdotes from both sides. And with pictures rarely seen in other publications, these books are well worth the read. This book deals with Germany’s Operation Barbarossa that started on June 22, 1941 and deals with the early German successes, the attack and siege of Leningrad, and attack on Smolensk, Hitlers Diversion to Kiev, and the final German attack and failure against Moscow. It reveals Hitler’s interference, and his stubbornness. Stalin is discussed. His purges, his response to the invasion, his attempt to rally the Russian population and the offensive by Russia that repelled the Germans in front of Moscow largely due to the German’s extended supply line, and of course the ponder of winter and the German Armies unpreparedness. Looking forward to reading the next volume.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. I read this as a companion to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast series "Ghosts of the Ostfront."

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this account the most compelling of the Time-Life series covering World War 2. It is simply jaw dropping to consider Hitler's recklessness in invading a country too big to ever be occupied let alone ethnically cleansed. Nevertheless there were plenty of moments in which victory for Germany was attainable, but Hitler's ego repeatedly nixed the better judgment of his commanders, a disastrous combination. This volume concludes in the winter of 1941, when the German assault was halted just 20 miles short of Moscow, by the dual obstacles of the Russian army and the Russian winter. That quiet patch of frozen tundra was all that stood in between Hitler and the destruction of the Soviet Union.

[D-day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Time-Life series of WW2 books, this volume tells of the German invasion of the USSR -(Operation Barbarossa).

Chapters
1- German/Soviet relations prior to June 1941
2- Operation Barbarossa, the Soviets are pushed back until Hitler makes the decision to divert forces heading to Moscow to Leningrad and Kiev
3- The Siege of Leningrad
4- Soviet Relations with the "Little Allies" aka Britain and the U.S
5- Germans resume their drive on Moscow after surrounding Leningrad and capturing Kiev, but are stopped short by stiffening Soviet resistance and the onset of Winter

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Time/Life series of books on WW2 don't usually contain anything earth-shattering in the way of scholarship - but they do have some pretty incredible pictures of the war in large format. This particular volume (on the first year of Operation: Barbarossa) is the same.

[Robert Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this Life Time series in the early 1980's on WWII, a volume came to the house every 2 or 3 months so I could take my reading. It was very informative and enjoyable read, I still use it for reference.

[Jerome Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of Operation Barbarossa and the failed drive for Moscow.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting. Quick read, as there are several pictures. Part of the World War II series. I want to read all of em and then kinda be done with WW2 for a while.

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series so far.