A new take on Eastern Front in WW2

The theme of this book is that Stalin was able to re-write WW2 because he was the victor, and because statistics from the Soviets were unchallenged.
The book argues that lots of what we know about the Eastern Front is false. The Author explains why that might be and supports the counter view with compelling statistics however a couple of details were annoyingly wrong: Model did not die on the Eastern Front, it was on the West, and Spandau jail is in Berlin, so it was not the jail where Hess spent WW2.
Understandably those mistakes made me question the authors other assertions.
My thoughts while listening to this is that any one of the revisionist points, such as the new way of looking at the battle of Kursk, could be an excellent book by itself.

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A must for WWII enthusiasts

It is well known that victors get to write history. John Mosier presents a completely alternative view on how Stalin and the USSR defeated Hitler's Germany. The book is very well researched and written in an engaging manner that had me enthralled to the very last page. The book introduces the reader to little known or even new facts about the war that puts the accepted view of what actually occurred in doubt. An absolute must for any WWII enthusiast.

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Fascinating revisionist look at the eastern front

Any additional comments?

IMO the book can be roughly summerised thus,

- Most accounts of the war are based on Soviet sources, which were systematically falsified and manipulated to serve Soviet propaganda.
- Soviet accounts of the war were the product of a society where criticism of the leadership and pointing out failings were capital crimes, and therefore must be treated with great skepticism.
- The USSR did NOT have limitless manpower or resources, and Stalin came within a inch of losing the war due to the astronomical rate at which he wasted lives and material.
- The notion of great Soviet victories at Moscow, Stalingrad, and Kursk is not supported by the loss figures for either men or equipment. All were draws.
- Hitler was not the military imbecile he is often painted.
- The USSR was saved from Stalin's incompetence by offensives from the western allies drawing away German forces: and because vast shipments of Anglo-American aid made up for Soviet deficiencies.


BTW: the reviewer claiming the book "paints Hitler as noble" is either lying or hasn't read it. Mosier never say anything of the kind.

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Interesting

Very interesting and though-provoking. I bought the hardback copy after listening to this audiobook just so I could refer to it occasionally and look at his sources.
After reading books by former GRU spy and Spetsnaz man Victor Suvorov, then this, it puts a new perspective on the war.

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Spin on Hitler

This man writes a history at odds with almost every other writer. He even boasts about it. Hitler it appears was a noble leader. Tell that to the Jews of europe. This man needs to be banned or at least put in the fantasy section.

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6 people found this helpful

Remarkably offensive.

The author certainly found it difficult to hide his disappointment that the Germany army were defeated.
Quite the remarkable achievement.
One of the many faults of all narrators is to adopt an ‘accent’ when quoting Russian or German or indeed any accent that aren’t English-narratives. It’s very insulting to many listeners.
Please stop doing it.
A thoroughly dislikable book.

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1 person found this helpful