Panzers: Push for Victory: Battle of Kursk

Panzers #1

by Tom Zola

Experience the first entry in Germany's most successful alternate history series about a different World War 2!Panzers - Push for Victory by Tom Zola is thrilling, violent, and full of German cultural and military references.

November 1942. Adolf Hitler, the "Führer" of the German Reich, unexpectedly dies in a plane crash in Hungary. The German High Command takes over the regime, disempowers the Nazi Party, and reorganizes its military forces. Germany has to swiftly overcome recent setbacks in North Africa and on the Eastern Front. Furthermore, an allied invasion already casts its long shadow. The German generals understand that it is not about the ultimate victory anymore but merely about achieving a stalemate to save the Reich on the negotiating table. First, they have to stabilize Germany's positions on the Eastern Front. Therefore, the High Command gathers its panzer forces and throws them into a daring all or nothing gamble for the city Kursk.

Tom Zola, a former sergeant in the German Army, is a military fiction writer, famous for his intense battle descriptions and realistic action scenes. In 2014 the first book of his PANZERS series was released in the German language, setting up an alternate history scenario. A different German Reich tries to turn around the fortunes of war at the pinnacle of the Second World War. Zola doesn't beat around the bush; his stories involve brutal fighting, inhuman ideologies, and a military machine that overruns Europe and the whole world without mercy. He has developed a breathtaking yet shocking alternate timeline that has finally been translated into English.

"Battle of Kursk" is the first entry in the German military fiction series Push for VictoryBook 1: Push for Victory - Battle of KurskBook 2: Push for Victory - Global ConflictBook 3: Push for Victory - D-Day - They are coming!Book 4: Push for Victory - The Battle of NormandyBook 5: Push for Victory - Himmler's Greatest HourBook 6: Push for Victory - Rocket WarBook 7: Push for Victory - Defensive Battle at VitebskBook 8: Push for Victory - The BombBook 9: Push for Victory - Heavy WaterScroll up, Click on “Buy Now”, and Get Your Copy Now!

Genres: Alternate History

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2014

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hitler dies. Things change.

This is the first volume of one of the most popular and best selling series in Germany. In this well thought out alternate history, Hitler is killed in a plane crash in November 1942. The conspirators who had been plotting to replace Hitler are forced to move before they are ready but they get rid of most radical Nazis, close the camps, arrest many, merge and scatter the Waffen SS into the army and try to develop a stable military situation in order to achieve a negotiated peace. The new Reichs Chancellor, Field Marshal von Witzleben, decides that despite the obvious problems with the plan, Operation Citadel must proceed because of the dire situation on the Eastern front. This book recounts the resulting Battle of Kursk with an alternate history twist. The combat scenes are particularly well written. The translation from German is a little rough, serviceable but not brilliant.

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very in depth story on how German and Russian armies fought.

[Michael Elia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this alternate history from the author's standpoint as a former soldier in the country that this is about. I really enjoy military science fiction and am something of a WWII buff as well, and this was a little different, but nicely done. Zola's research was obviously intense and I like the idea of not over-dwelling on the event that resulted in the split in time from our own history. There is just enough technical data and description and it is obvious that a soldier wrote this as nearly all of the story is related to or during combat. The different - and human- responses of various characters to the described scenes feels very real. Some of those struck a chord in me, and I like that. I understand from the Acknowledgement and Authors Notes how difficult the translation from German to English was and I think that they did a great balance job on every level, from technical descriptions to military terms. Nicely done. I am looking forward to getting more books in the series as they become available in English.

[Sean Smart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had heard many good things about this book but I was quite disappointed with it and thought it was very dull and amateurish. Quite hard to follow because it was so dull. I ended up skipping pages and donating it to my local charity shop.

Perhaps it’s the translation. I wouldn’t recommend

[Carlos Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not high literature, but entertaining.

[Vince Adornato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with a very different point of view.

Fast paced, accurate depiction of life on the Russian Front. It's an interesting view from the eyes of the German soldier, not glorified, but as it must have seemed to them.

[Francisco De Borja · Rating 4 out of 5]

mmm... ¿Qué puedo decir sobre "Panzers: lucha por la victoria 1: La Batalla del Kursk"? a ver... Lo bueno: el autor es un exsargento del "Heer" el ejercito de tierra del moderno "Bundeswehr" (Cuerpo de Defensa Alemán) lo cual junto con una cuidadosa investigación histórica, imprime un gran realismo a la descripción de esta Re imaginada Batalla del Kursk, tanto en lo que se refiere al campo de operaciones y el movimiento de tropas, como la descripción del equipamiento y los vehículos involucrados en tan importante batalla de la segunda Guerra Mundial, la cual marco un "momento de quiebre" tanto en nuestra historia como en la de esa línea de tiempo alternativa donde Hitler muere en un accidente aéreo, propiciando un cambio en el gobierno del "Reich Alemán" tanto en las estructuras civiles como militares, por lo tanto también en las decisiones estratégicas del esfuerzo de guerra. Entre los cambios que rápidamente se muestran en las primeras paginas de la novela es la eliminación del partido NAZI, el encarcelamiento de todos sus lideres, la eliminación de ese ejercito paralelo a la "Wehrmacht" que eran las SS (particularmente las WAFFEN SS) y desde luego si bien no se mencionan abiertamente los campos de concentración, se sobre entiende el cierre de los mismos. En algún momento nos enteramos por medio de los personajes que están esperando el inicio de la Operación Ciudadela (nombre clave dado por el Alto Mando Alemán a esta ofensiva tanto en nuestro universo como en este) que el desastre de Stalingrado nunca ocurrió, pues el nuevo liderazgo permitió la retirada del 6° Ejercito al mando del General Paulus, permitiendo salvar a este cuerpo, evitando por consiguiente la "Bolsa de Stalingrado" y por ende un frente oriental mas estable donde sin embargo el "saliente del Kursk" también existía... siendo este el tema central de la presente novela: La Batalla del Kursk.
Decía pues, que el autor describe con lujo de detalles tal batalla y el sentir de los soldados (alemanes y rusos): la vida de la infantería, el actuar de la tripulación de los tanques, la forma de pensar de algunos de los oficiales (en ambos bandos), etc. Muy interesante de leer.
Ahora, lo malo:
No le doy las cinco estrellas por que pese a todo lo anterior, pese a la solida investigación y preparación para escribir y describir la que fue la mas importante -y grande- batalla de tanques de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el autor no logra imprimirle suficiente ritmo a la narrativa. El "storytelling" suele tornarse lento en varios momentos, incluso para alguien como su servidor que disfruta de los aspectos técnicos e históricos.
Con todo sin embargo, pienso darme el tiempo de seguir esta colección la cual lleva publicados algo así como siete libros en alemán, y dos traducidos al ingles.
Recomendable para los fans de Historia Alternativa (Alternate History) y de novelas de corte histórico enfocadas en la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

[Viva · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an alternate history book that didn't have much alternate history. Well, I mean it is alternate history but I felt that more should have been made of that. Also the other thing I didn't like was the jumping around. When the POV is changed back and forth I don't get a handle on the book and don't feel settled in. I get it that some books do this so you can see the setting from different perspectives but this book didn't do a good job. I never felt comfortable with any of the POVs, whereas some other war books I read, the author did do a good job so I felt vested in all the perspectives I read. The writing also didn't draw me along, I had to make myself read the words. When I realized that, I knew I lost interest and dnf'd it.

[David S. Lato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressed

I love alternative history and WW2 has always been fascinating to me being such an incredibly world-wide event; virtually no where was unaffected by the wars horrible events. What if Hitler would have been taken out early in the war? Would the USSR have agreed to an end? How about the rest of the Allied Powers? This book is very good, and doesn't shield you from the bad things that can happen in battle. I will be reading the series.

[Roy Hawksley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alternate history...from an alternate point of view

Well written alternate WWII novel from the German view point. As a WWII buff and veteran of US military service (USN Hospital Corpsman with 2nd Mar Div and USS Sacramento duty) I appreciate the depth of personal military experience Herr Zola incorporates in his story telling. Looking forward to reading where this storyline will lead.

[creig speed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good 1st volume

The author doesn't get bogged down in too many details. It would be nice for a little more technical details of weapon systems. Well developed characters and plenty of combat to keep it interesting. Revisionist history has always been very interesting to me. How the fates of men and nations are decided by the most inconsequential events at the time they are barely recognized.

[Steven Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Found it a bit hard going overall, enjoyed the actual story line and most of the charecters but it seemed to jump about a bit too much for my personal tastes. The battle scene and the lead up to them were very good but it was the Switzerland bits that really threw me off, I found that they distracted from the main part of the story. I understand the relevance of it but did not enjoy it.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great translation

This was a great book,it made you feel like you were right in the battle,great characters, believable story line. Was a wonderfully edited & translated making it wonderful to follow, look forward to next in series.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but a bit too in depth, and hard to get involved in the story.

The premis of the Fuerer dying in a plane crash and Germany changing to a more stable leadership was good. It was just a bit too slow going and far too many Russian towns and army groups etc to follow.

[lisa m walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these alternative history books.

I really enjoyed it. What if Hitler died? What if Citadel has been launched earlier than the first week of July? I can't wait for next book.

[NOEL MC CARTHY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this

love this book roll on the next one the action is fantastic and really entertaining.The only thing wrong is I reached the end.

[Brian Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading.

I enjoyed reading this. I hope to read the next one soon and hope it's as good as this one. Keep up the great work.

[Philippe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Battle for survival

Kursk was a maelstrom on steel in July 1943. The author does a good job in describing the elements of combat. Short but intense novel.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The germans have won the battle of Kursk, and with some difficulty are holding out against Russian counterattacks. News of the proposed allied invasion of Italy is leaked.

[Krissh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what l had expected

Finished reading the book but wouldn’t recommend it simple plot had characters who l could not relate to not my type of book.