In late September 1941 the war in the east was approaching a climax. Since the beginning of the German invasion on 22 June 1941, Soviet forces had suffered the staggering loss of over 2 million troops. Operation Typhoon began and in the first week of the offensive, the three German panzer armies surrounded virtually the bulk of the Soviet forces barring the way to Moscow. This title details the dramatic battle that took place right up to the suburbs of Moscow itself, and the defeat which altered Hitler's strategic management of World War II (1939-1945).
Robert Forczyk has a PhD in International Relations and National Security from the University of Maryland and a strong background in European and Asian military history.
An excellent account . Forszyk provides an analysis of the campaign, not merely recounting events but actually evaluating the actions of commanders. But he never slips into the wildly speculative 'could have, should have, would have' style of other historians such as Stahel. Every evaluation is specific and evidenced. Finally, good maps that actually match the text, seemingly impossible in most military history texts .
I liked the book. A concise account of the last campaign of 1941 in Russia. Dispels some of the myths about the battle and gives concrete explanations for its outcome.
A good overview of a massive battle that does a strong job making a complicated situation comprehensible. The only drawback is that it stops in the first stages of the Soviet winter offensive.