Voices from Stalingrad: First-hand Accounts from World War II’s Cruellest Battle

Voices from

by Jonathan Bastable

_'Imagine what is was like, after being subjected to the relentless roaring of dozens of aeroplane engines, and constant explosions, to be suddenly surrounded by a deathly silence! We were cut off from the outside world. Were we staring an agonising death in the face?' _

No previous work about Stalingrad places such emphasis on the experience of ordinary fighters and civilians. This volume of human history and military strategy includes fresh translations from original sources describing this pivotal event of World War II as told by the German and Soviet soldiers who fought the battle, Russian civilians who watched the enemy at the gates as well as Western diplomat and newspaper correspondent onlookers.

Offering a record of one of the pivotal events of World War II, as told through the personal accounts of the German and Soviet soldiers who fought in it, this book features photographs from the Battle of Stalingrad, from both sides of the front.

This is a fascinating record of the pivotal event of World War II, told through the personal accounts of the German and Soviet soldiers who fought it, the Russian civilians who watched the destruction of their city, and Western onlookers such as diplomats and newspaper correspondents. Many of these voices are gleaned from newly-discovered archive material, and from rare sources and reminiscences in Germany and Russia, including KGB sources.

Many of these accounts have never been published, or are totally unknown in the English-speaking world. All foreign voices are quoted in fresh and engaging new translations from the original sources. There are rare photographs of the battle, from both sides of the front.

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

319 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

In 1982, just after I turned 20, I went to live in Leningrad for a year. I was cold and hungry most of the time, and most of my Russian friends were miserable or scared or both. The winter was dark and long, and the regime was oppressive. It was by far the happiest year of my life.

That year, and subsequent years spent at Moscow University as a postgrad, provided much of the core material for Devil's Acre. But I wasn' t then a writer, not yet. After returning to Britain I got a job as a feature writer on The Sunday Times Magazine, and in 1991 I was sent back to Moscow as the newspaper's Russian Affairs correspondent. I covered the slapstick Yeltsin years, and was present at the shelling of the Russian parliament building in 1993 – the moment when Russia's last best hope of a democratic future went up in smoke.

I have written many works of non-fiction, including a history of the Battle of Stalingrad based on eyewitness accounts. I am now, among other things, a travel writer, and I often go back to Russia on assignment for Conde Nast Traveller and other magazines. Devil's Acre is my first novel, and my proudest achievement.

Reviews

[No one of consequence One · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first hand accounts of a major historical battle.

[Themistocles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the book starts off with a rather serious and surprising mistake (that Hitler had been democratically elected), it's getting better and better from there.

With a bias towards the russian side, unlike most would expect, and with lots of explanative text, Bastable takes the reader by the hand and leads them through the history of the battle for Stalingrad. This is history from the sources rather than a 'mere' collection of letters and diary copy, though the sources are, of course, hardly strictly historical material.

A very good book and collection of snippets, worth reading if you're interested in Stalingrad.

[Victor Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on stories based on letters German soldiers had sent from Stalingrad. They were for some reason read on Swissvradio but for some reason they never read any Russian material although my father admitted that Stalingrad had been for them when Swiss radio announced it a ray of hope in the gloom that pervaded Europe then (well, those few countries that did not collaborate or fight with the nazis, although Swiss banks were bankrolling Barbarossa). Barnstable’s book reads well and I often get back to it. It offers a very clear view of the mindset of all, lots of testimonies by Soviet and German people, and many hints as to why that battle turned to be so significant. It does not go in depth about the major change in military thinking that made Stalingrad so important, but it shows how much maskirovka, for instance, had already been mastered then, to be used with even greater mastery in Bagration. A remarkable book.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the whole of the Stalingrad campaign, including a brief prelude to provide wider war context. Heavily seeded with contemporary quotes and accounts from both the German and Russian side which allows a greater focus on the personal experience rather than the tactical often covered. These are interspersed with context setting from the author.

Given the scope of the book, and its relatively shortness (this edition 309 pages), it necessarily covers the battle at a relatively high level. The author alludes to a number of them myths that surround the battle, but doesn’t go into detail on these. The reader is left with a sense of wanting to know more about many of the aspects covered.

A useful opener to the personal side of the battle, that will leave the reader looking for further reading.

[Aidan Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrowing tale from the German and Russian perspective of the battle of Stalingrad. This book tells the story from Operation Barbarossa, to the surrender of Field Marshal Paulus and the aftermath of the battle. Excerpts from letters and other writings from the men and women that were present at the battle make up the meat of the book, telling the deeper story of the situation. I thought this was a great book, it was a tough read at some points, due to the heaviness of the subject matter, but it is an important highlight into the horror of war and the impact that it had on so many people. If you’re interested in WW2 I would definitely put this on your reading list.

[Geicodave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of the Battle of Stalingrad from the common soldier's view. Based on materials from Soviet archives and letters seized from the Germans, the book provides frightening and disturbing accounts of the savage fighting that took the lives of untold numbers of men. Of particular note, practically all of the Germans whose letters are quoted did not survive the battle or captivity and their letters were never read by their intended recipients.

[Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

First hand accounts of the Battle of Stalingrad from rank-and-file German and Russian soldiers. Interwoven with these diary entries are accounts of how the battle was unfolding from the perspectives of Hitler and Stalin.

What you get from the book is the reducing scale of the German war effort. It goes from conquering countries, to advancing 50 km in a day through Russia itself, to fighting over Pavlov's House. More Germans died attempting to take Pavlov's House than died taking Paris.

[Philip Kuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book overall. The title does it justice. It's about what it says it is about, voices of Stalingrad from German and Soviet soldiers. The book is arranged chronologically, which is a must for me. I feel strongly that with Stalingrad, it's very important to know the day the event took place and what stage of the battle it was. Before the cauldron and after it are two totally different things. Recommended for WWII buffs.

PHIL Kuhn

[James Minnigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book on Stalingrad. A good book I think if your looking for an entry way into reading about the battle. But pretty standard information on the battle if you have looked into this battle from other sources. Would have liked for the book to feature more first hand accounts and less general information on the battle itself.

[Tony O Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating book and I particularly liked the linking of the geographical stages of that war to the particular circumstances of the observers.
I liked the easy to follow maps and the excellent pictorial images.

[Dave Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

Reading the letters written by the soldiers from both countries casts a whole new light on the suffering endured unbelievably, by everyone bound up in the battle for Stalingrad. Makes for very emotional reading.

[paul russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Pretty good unbiased I thought different from other books about Stalingrad that I have read would suit someone who is interested in ww11 .Not just from a reader who reads so called autobiography

[David S. Lato · Rating 5 out of 5]

How anyone survived

Excellent read. Words cannot relate to the nightmares Stalingrad must have been, for both sides. The poor Soldiers who were there because of a mad man and his beliefs.

[Leonard Mokos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primarily quilted from first hand accounts from both sides, this was so vivid I am now in therapy. Even my cat frightens me.
Superb!

[Leah McRoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. A bit slow in parts but it usually picked up, and the amount I learned about the battle and the history behind it was well worth the time it took me to read it.

[Ian Willey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly standard Stalingrad fair

[Kaitlyn Rosenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved hearing from both sides of the battle, very eye opening and gut wrenching. The things they don't teach you in school.

[Tim Cui · Rating 5 out of 5]

The typical story of Stalingrad but as told through first hand accounts. Highly enjoyable read and good writing that connects the events and accounts together into one narrative

[David Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the Battle of Stalingrad. Many first-hand accounts.

[Conrad Bukoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally diary entries from front line units on both sides, covering everything. Insanely unique.

[John Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the personal accounts of the combatants from either side takes away the uniforms and the flags they fought under. All you get is the horror of war. Uncensored.