Synopses & Reviews
The battlefields of the USSR witnessed the most devastating confrontations of World War II. In every one of those battles, Communist dictator Josef Stalin exercised his influence, meddling with (and executing) his generals, hurling unprepared armies into pure chaos, and meeting with his Western allies to divide the world up into zones of influence that would soon be embroiled in a new war. World War II scholar Hoyt describes the war from Stalin's vantage point and shows how his decisions, especially his early refusal to go to war with Germany even after they attacked, led to the historic battles for Leningrad, Stalingrad, and Moscow. Hoyt also explains how Stalin's bloody purges before the war left a military bereft of leadership, yet opened the doors for Zhukov, Chuikov, Rokossovsky, and other crucial commanders to spearhead a Soviet victory. Stalin's War also examines Stalin's use of propaganda to vilify the German army and blame Soviet war crimes and human rights violations on the Nazis.
Synopsis
In June 1941, Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Its armed forces had been weakened by Communist dictator Josef Stalin's brutal purging. Despite advance warning of the attack, Stalin refused to believe reports, or to authorize measures that would have slowed the Nazi onslaught and prevented the initial Soviet disaster. Stalin rebounded quickly, though, and involved himself with every phase of the war effort, including its smallest details.
Here is the "Great Patriotic War, " from the personal vantage point of Stalin himself, as well as his commanders: Chuikov, Rokossovsky, and Zhukov. Hoyt's thoroughly researched tome is the first ever to chronicle the Soviet-German war as seen through Stalin's eyes.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 283-284) and index.
Synopsis
Hoyt's new book on World War II examines the war from the viewpoint of the Soviet leader, Josef Stalin. Hoyt takes into account how the dictator weakened his own armed forces with purges before the war, yet how after Germany's attack he became immersed in the fight against the Nazis.
Table of Contents
An unholy alliance -- The coming storm -- The German attack -- The first days of war -- Blitzkrieg -- Moscow -- The first fall guys -- The German advance -- Moscow counterattack -- Bitter spring -- Stalingrad -- Spring 1943 -- The battle of Kursk -- From Kursk to Teheran -- Russia enters Eastern Europe -- Rumania -- Bulgarian adventure -- Spheres of influence -- Central Europe -- On to Berlin -- Twin juggernauts -- The race for Berlin -- The high cost of the Seelow Heights -- The bear's embrace -- Chinks in the alliance -- The iron curtain -- Stalin's death and the death of Stalinism.