The Road to Stalingrad (Stalin's war with Germany, Vol. 1)

A new paperback version of the first volume in John Erickson's monumental, critically acclaimed history of the Soviet-German war.In fascinating detail, The Road to Stalingrad takes us from the inept command structures and strategic delusions of the pre-invasion Soviet Union through Russia's humiliation as her armies fell back on all fronts, until the tide turned at last in Stalingrad. The assessment of the generals and political leaders, as well as of the wranglings within both the Allied and Axis commands, is completely unsparing. The climactic battle, so vividly described here, leaves the Red Army poised for the long fight towards Berlin.
This is not to be missed by any military buff or student of World War II.