Customer Reviews

The Blood-Soaked Soil

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This book covers the SS from conception through to the end of WW2. Much of the commentary is of an extremely general nature, and few areas are addressed specifically.

Every page contains a black and white photograph pertaining to the chapter, and all pictures are non offensive.

All in all the book would not priovide anything new for those who have read other SS material, but on an introductory level the book is superb.

As you might expect with Williamson this slim volume comprises a brief history of the Waffen SS 'im Einsatz' basing its minimalist battle accounts around the exploits of the individual Ritterkreuzträger....this is essentially how Krätschmer has ordered his massive Knights Cross holders book. I rate it a useful primer for those getting into the subject and not a bad read at all.

This book was given to me by my father; I wish he hadn't. It's a poorly crafted book, with maps that do not relate to the text, and a text that jumps without any clear logic or apparent continuity. It is solely focused on order of battle issues but seems to find it hard going breathing life into the subject matter. It's a pity since the subject is intrinsically rivetting but it is lost in a disparate, wooden and dull listing of numbers and events. I concluded that Mr Williamson's interest in his topic was not matched by any talent in the vein possessed by the likes of Cornelius Ryan. Catchy title though.