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To Besiege a City: Leningrad 1941–42
A ground-breaking and enthralling history of one of the greatest ever sieges. Masterfully brought to life by a leading expert using original Russian and German source material.
This new history of the first two years of this crucial battle for the heart and soul of Russia is the first in over a decade and also the first to look comprehensively at the wider military strategies of both sides.
At a huge cost, the Red Army and the civilian population of Leningrad ultimately endured a bitter 900-day siege, struggling against constant bombing, shelling, and starvation. Throughout the siege, Soviet forces tried to break the German lines and restore contact with the garrison. To Besiege A City charts the first of these offensives which began in January 1942 and was followed by repeated assaults. Acclaimed Eastern Front historian Prit Buttar details how although the Red Army suffered huge casualties in the swampy and forested terrain, the German infantry divisions were also steadily eroded. Indeed, by keeping control of parts of the shores of Lake Ladoga, the Soviet Union was able to sustain Leningrad through the winters of the siege via the 'road of life', constructed across the frozen lake. This epic history details the dramatic race to create the road across the ice and first-hand accounts from both Soviet and German soldiers bring the horrific series of battles and assaults vividly to life.
Ultimately the determination of the defenders to hold out during this first phase of the siege and the desperate attempts to break it became a hugely significant part of Russian wartime history. The echoes of the battle persist to this day helping to define both a country and its politics. There is no better time to fully understand this history and To Besiege A City is the most comprehensive account to date.
This new history of the first two years of this crucial battle for the heart and soul of Russia is the first in over a decade and also the first to look comprehensively at the wider military strategies of both sides.
At a huge cost, the Red Army and the civilian population of Leningrad ultimately endured a bitter 900-day siege, struggling against constant bombing, shelling, and starvation. Throughout the siege, Soviet forces tried to break the German lines and restore contact with the garrison. To Besiege A City charts the first of these offensives which began in January 1942 and was followed by repeated assaults. Acclaimed Eastern Front historian Prit Buttar details how although the Red Army suffered huge casualties in the swampy and forested terrain, the German infantry divisions were also steadily eroded. Indeed, by keeping control of parts of the shores of Lake Ladoga, the Soviet Union was able to sustain Leningrad through the winters of the siege via the 'road of life', constructed across the frozen lake. This epic history details the dramatic race to create the road across the ice and first-hand accounts from both Soviet and German soldiers bring the horrific series of battles and assaults vividly to life.
Ultimately the determination of the defenders to hold out during this first phase of the siege and the desperate attempts to break it became a hugely significant part of Russian wartime history. The echoes of the battle persist to this day helping to define both a country and its politics. There is no better time to fully understand this history and To Besiege A City is the most comprehensive account to date.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2023
42 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Prit Buttar
19 books116 followersPrit Buttar studied medicine at Oxford and London before joining the British Army as a doctor. After leaving the army, he has worked as a GP, first near Bristol and now in Abingdon. He is extensively involved in medical politics, both at local and national level, and served on the GPs’ Committee of the British Medical Association. He appears from time to time on local and national TV and radio, speaking on a variety of medical issues. He contributes regularly to the medical press. He is an established expert on the Eastern Front in 20th century military history.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 2, 2023
4.5
...
O nights of shriekings and of rumblings
And bombs that ever nearer fall,
And tiny scraps of rationed bread
That scarcely seem to weigh at all...
To have survived this blockade's fetters,
Death daily hovering above,
What strength we all have needed, neighbour,
What hate we've needed — and what love!
So much that sometimes moods of doubting
Have shaken even the strongest will:
«Can I endure it? Can I bear it?»
You'll bear it. You'll last out. You will.
...
From Conversation with a Neighbour by Olga Bergholz
Beginning from Peter the Great, founder of St. Petersburg, a city meant to become the 'window to the West', this book is a painstakingly researched and carefully detailed chronicle of the city’s past, later focusing on its siege by the Nazis.
This book not only recounts the events beginning from the German Operation Barbarossa against the Soviet Union up to the liberation of Leningrad, but also relates direct quotes and personal records of the individuals involved.
This book was the humanized version of the dry history books filled with facts and numbers.
...
O nights of shriekings and of rumblings
And bombs that ever nearer fall,
And tiny scraps of rationed bread
That scarcely seem to weigh at all...
To have survived this blockade's fetters,
Death daily hovering above,
What strength we all have needed, neighbour,
What hate we've needed — and what love!
So much that sometimes moods of doubting
Have shaken even the strongest will:
«Can I endure it? Can I bear it?»
You'll bear it. You'll last out. You will.
...
From Conversation with a Neighbour by Olga Bergholz
Beginning from Peter the Great, founder of St. Petersburg, a city meant to become the 'window to the West', this book is a painstakingly researched and carefully detailed chronicle of the city’s past, later focusing on its siege by the Nazis.
This book not only recounts the events beginning from the German Operation Barbarossa against the Soviet Union up to the liberation of Leningrad, but also relates direct quotes and personal records of the individuals involved.
This book was the humanized version of the dry history books filled with facts and numbers.
August 17, 2023
To Besiege a City is just another example of what author Prit Buttar does so well. He has written a history of the siege of Leningrad which will satisfy both military history buffs and people looking for a great story. Both sets of people will feel more enlightened by the end of the narrative and will have enjoyed the journey Buttar takes them on.
I almost feel like my praise sounds rather ho hum, but this kind of history is exceedingly difficult to keep interesting and informative. I love military history but understand how some people's eyes might glaze over reading about the movements of an army. Buttar knows this and intersperses the story with the actual words of people who were there and gives much needed perspective.
The other piece, which I thought was exceptional in To Besiege a City, is Buttar's analysis of the German and Red Army. There is very often a general view that the German Army was nearly unstoppable and Stalingrad was where hubris became their undoing. Buttar doesn't go for simplistic interpretations and takes a deep dive into the resources, strengths, weaknesses, and most importantly, the decisions which decided the fate of Leningrad. If you are a World War II buff, you need to read this.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Osprey Publishing.)
I almost feel like my praise sounds rather ho hum, but this kind of history is exceedingly difficult to keep interesting and informative. I love military history but understand how some people's eyes might glaze over reading about the movements of an army. Buttar knows this and intersperses the story with the actual words of people who were there and gives much needed perspective.
The other piece, which I thought was exceptional in To Besiege a City, is Buttar's analysis of the German and Red Army. There is very often a general view that the German Army was nearly unstoppable and Stalingrad was where hubris became their undoing. Buttar doesn't go for simplistic interpretations and takes a deep dive into the resources, strengths, weaknesses, and most importantly, the decisions which decided the fate of Leningrad. If you are a World War II buff, you need to read this.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Osprey Publishing.)
September 9, 2023
I was granted a copy of this book from Net Galley, but this hasn't influenced the rating of this book. The thoughts of this review are my own.
I have found Prit Buttar one of the few military authors I can read without getting lost and frustrated. The layout of his books help me concentrate on the subject and I learn more on bits of information only sprinkled in the usual history books I read. When I realised that a new one by this author was coming out, and that I could successfully get an early copy from Net Galley, I immediately asked for it.
His books take me longer than other history books that I read. This isn't due to the author, as he explains everything clear enough that I can follow, but because it's military history. It's not my favourite side of history. I wanted to read this before I started Antony Beevor's 'Stalingrad', or, Jonathan Dimbleby 'Barbarossa'. I felt that if I had a strong picture of the battles, I would enjoy those two more.
Unfortunately, this one was that I had more difficulty than I usually did with this author. I'm not sure if it's because I am in the middle of a chaotic part of the year, but I had to put the book down every now and then. Normally I read a bit every day, to make sure that the information (army groups, military equipment etc.) are fresh in my head, but days would go by before I would pick it up again. And this inevitably made it harder for me to get back into the book.
I understand that this is more a fault of mine, and not the author's. I am glad that I read this, and will be buying the physical copy when it does come out. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about military tactics, but doesn't want to be bogged down by the facts.
I have found Prit Buttar one of the few military authors I can read without getting lost and frustrated. The layout of his books help me concentrate on the subject and I learn more on bits of information only sprinkled in the usual history books I read. When I realised that a new one by this author was coming out, and that I could successfully get an early copy from Net Galley, I immediately asked for it.
His books take me longer than other history books that I read. This isn't due to the author, as he explains everything clear enough that I can follow, but because it's military history. It's not my favourite side of history. I wanted to read this before I started Antony Beevor's 'Stalingrad', or, Jonathan Dimbleby 'Barbarossa'. I felt that if I had a strong picture of the battles, I would enjoy those two more.
Unfortunately, this one was that I had more difficulty than I usually did with this author. I'm not sure if it's because I am in the middle of a chaotic part of the year, but I had to put the book down every now and then. Normally I read a bit every day, to make sure that the information (army groups, military equipment etc.) are fresh in my head, but days would go by before I would pick it up again. And this inevitably made it harder for me to get back into the book.
I understand that this is more a fault of mine, and not the author's. I am glad that I read this, and will be buying the physical copy when it does come out. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about military tactics, but doesn't want to be bogged down by the facts.
July 2, 2025
It's a very good book overall I would like to give it 4.5 stars. The author tells the story well and interesting to note that he starts with the founding of St Petersburg and a brief history until 1941. I never really knew that the Germans could have taken the city, or at least starved it to submission, if they hadn't pulled out the Panzer divisions for the assault on Moscow. He also does a great job of explaining the actions in 1942 as a series of bloody stalemates. Which it was. He also does a great job of explaining the terrain of Northern Russia and how it limited any offensive attack by either side, hence the stalemate. The Road of Life is covered in some detail, as is the terrible suffering of the population of Leningrad in the winter of 1941-42.
Good book. Recommended.
Good book. Recommended.
February 4, 2025
Another fantastic work by Prit Buttar on the Eastern Front. In “To Besiege A City”, Buttar shares about the creation of Leningrad, its unique history in Russian culture and the first 18 months of an eventual 3 year siege.
Buttar takes you to the swamps and bog land surrounding Leningrad, the icy roads across Lake Ladoga and behind the lines with Soviet partisans in Starry Russya and Oranienbaum.
Perhaps more clearly than some of his others works, Buttar gives the reader a clear understanding of the effects caused by Stalin’s purges of the 1930’s.
As in other reviews for Buttar, I cannot recommend his books enough for those with a fascination of the myth and mayhem of the Eastern Front. I plan to read the 2nd book of the Leningrad series later this year.
Buttar takes you to the swamps and bog land surrounding Leningrad, the icy roads across Lake Ladoga and behind the lines with Soviet partisans in Starry Russya and Oranienbaum.
Perhaps more clearly than some of his others works, Buttar gives the reader a clear understanding of the effects caused by Stalin’s purges of the 1930’s.
As in other reviews for Buttar, I cannot recommend his books enough for those with a fascination of the myth and mayhem of the Eastern Front. I plan to read the 2nd book of the Leningrad series later this year.
August 26, 2023
Prit Buttar's book on Leningrad is incredibly dense and thorough, meant for lovers of history, military history, and those specifically interested in WW2. It goes in-depth into the location of Leningrad/St. Petersburg for the first few chapters, talking about its history as a location created by Peter the Great as a window to the West.
Buttar has a number of books on WW2 on the Eastern Front, so he has a specific style. He starts off with looking at the location, going in-depth into the military history on both sides of the conflict leading up the battle, as well as the intricacies of both sides' strategies, equipment, leadership, and overall morale. He provides maps to help visualize the conflict, and I really appreciated how he brought in how the outlying countries were affected during this conflict, such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. There are numerous personnel on each side, but Buttar does a great job of introducing and reintroducing them throughout.
He provides a large number of primary sources: dispatches from both sides, letters of commanders, diaries from the soldiers, giving a holistic view of the conflict from the highest commanders to the ground troops. This is a great example of how to write enthralling military history, and if you are a WW2 enthusiast or an amateur military historian, Prit Buttar and his works are essential!
Buttar has a number of books on WW2 on the Eastern Front, so he has a specific style. He starts off with looking at the location, going in-depth into the military history on both sides of the conflict leading up the battle, as well as the intricacies of both sides' strategies, equipment, leadership, and overall morale. He provides maps to help visualize the conflict, and I really appreciated how he brought in how the outlying countries were affected during this conflict, such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. There are numerous personnel on each side, but Buttar does a great job of introducing and reintroducing them throughout.
He provides a large number of primary sources: dispatches from both sides, letters of commanders, diaries from the soldiers, giving a holistic view of the conflict from the highest commanders to the ground troops. This is a great example of how to write enthralling military history, and if you are a WW2 enthusiast or an amateur military historian, Prit Buttar and his works are essential!
December 17, 2024
Prit Buttar's account of Leningrad is one rich with accounts of the human cost of the conflict, an damning of the senseless inefficacies of Nazism and Stalinism. Buttar's book paints The Siege of Leningrad as a microcosm of the Eastern Front at large, the Russians filled with perseverance, unstoppable in the face of hardship, but beaten into complacency and adverse to risk by the suspicion following the Great Purges of the late 1930s. The Germans meanwhile fighting with better aircraft and equipment but hindered by their arrogance, and constantly demonizing themselves in the eyes of their subjects in pursuit of their senselessly evil war of extermination.
Prit Buttar capture's all of this effectively, however it occasionally gets bogged down in the minutia of battle tactic and military maneuvers, all descripted in a very dry and technical manner.
A mixed bag of a book. I had some interesting moments reading it, but I also don't feel the need to rush out and purchase Buttar's other books on the Eastern Front.
Prit Buttar capture's all of this effectively, however it occasionally gets bogged down in the minutia of battle tactic and military maneuvers, all descripted in a very dry and technical manner.
A mixed bag of a book. I had some interesting moments reading it, but I also don't feel the need to rush out and purchase Buttar's other books on the Eastern Front.
November 23, 2023
Great book
There's a lot of detail as always with Mr. Buttar's works.
Leningrad was a symbol of Soviet society and possessed all the heartbreaking brutality that developed from the clash of two totalitarian states.
Mr. Buttar once again demonstrates that the war on the Eastern Front was the largest conflict mankind has EVER seen and will see for a long time. Its a shame that the US, Britain and France dominate the popular outlook of the Second Great War. The scale of the conflict on the Eastern Front makes all Anglo-American activity on the continent seem insignificant.
P.S.
I wish Mr. Buttar would cover the wars in Asia. Specifically how Western influence impacted the Chinese Civil War. Along with how that influence impacted the French in Indochina and finally the Americans in Vietnam.
His penchant for detail would be entertaining and informative.
There's a lot of detail as always with Mr. Buttar's works.
Leningrad was a symbol of Soviet society and possessed all the heartbreaking brutality that developed from the clash of two totalitarian states.
Mr. Buttar once again demonstrates that the war on the Eastern Front was the largest conflict mankind has EVER seen and will see for a long time. Its a shame that the US, Britain and France dominate the popular outlook of the Second Great War. The scale of the conflict on the Eastern Front makes all Anglo-American activity on the continent seem insignificant.
P.S.
I wish Mr. Buttar would cover the wars in Asia. Specifically how Western influence impacted the Chinese Civil War. Along with how that influence impacted the French in Indochina and finally the Americans in Vietnam.
His penchant for detail would be entertaining and informative.
October 19, 2023
Excellent
This is yet another exceptional book by Mr.Buttar that has in my mind made him the premier writer of East front history in WW2. Hi s attention to detail and his interweaving of facts interspersed with personal records of the combatents from both sides as well as civilians caught between the horrors of the 2 worst dictatorships of the twentieth century makes for compelling reading.
This is yet another exceptional book by Mr.Buttar that has in my mind made him the premier writer of East front history in WW2. Hi s attention to detail and his interweaving of facts interspersed with personal records of the combatents from both sides as well as civilians caught between the horrors of the 2 worst dictatorships of the twentieth century makes for compelling reading.
June 25, 2023
A great historical look at the siege of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) during WW2. The hardships endured by the civilians and military during the siege was heartbreaking. This book was informative and the use of first hand accounts really added to the enjoyment of the story. A great read.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 25, 2023
outstanding description of the first two years of the siege
The author provides a good lead up to the beginning of the siege and details both sides during the first two years. No real hero’s both sides made many errors and committed atrocities. He provides a lot of detail and the book is very interesting. I highly recommend this book.
The author provides a good lead up to the beginning of the siege and details both sides during the first two years. No real hero’s both sides made many errors and committed atrocities. He provides a lot of detail and the book is very interesting. I highly recommend this book.
January 11, 2024
Review for the British Journal for Military History to be posted soon: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K0Wv...
July 1, 2024
Echos of the genocide in Gaza…
July 25, 2024
I liked it, but it won't be memorable for me.
November 19, 2024
Who knew that so much fighting went on in 1942 near Leningrad! Great history.
September 25, 2025
Great historic book about the "butchers bill" paid by Wehrmacht and Red Army while trying to maintain control of a starving city.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews