Customer Reviews

War On Eastern Front (Greenhill Military Paperbacks)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having read this book when it was first released in hardback I am happy to see it has been re-released in paperback. This is one of the best books I have read to date that covers warfare on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. The chapters cover a broad spectrum of subjects, all of which involved the German soldier in Russia. From the different style of warfare and fighting to the horrific and barbaric conditions encountered by German soldiers. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the highest scoring Sturmgeschutz commander and the German Army's greatest tank ace. If you are looking for just one book to describe the fighting I could not think of any better. The story flows along faultlessly even though each chapter covers a different aspect of the war and fighting. From war in the trenches to a bicycle mounted anti-tank unit fighting against the oncoming Russian hordes. This is great and enjoyable history and I am sure that you will find something in this book you did not know before. Recommend to all students of military history.

What to say? This is by no means an academic book and has no 'scientific' pretentions. It is an informative work aimed to transmit to the casual reader a feeling of what war on the Eastern front looked and 'felt' like - and in this it's probably successful.

The book is divided in chapters, each concerning a specific subject (like partisans, the German High Command's invasion plans, the characteristics of Russian terrain and Russian weather, etc.). It is not an organic work, and I have an impression that many of the chapters are drawn from specilistic sources (for example the chapter on partisan warfare is indebted to Hesse E., "Der sowjetrussische Partisanenkrieg 1941 bis 1944"). The one chapter of interest for the reader already having some understanding of WWII is n.17, concerning German Assault Artillery (generally known to the American public as SPGuns).

The book has a penchant to emphasize the German feats of valour; and this, depending on the reviewer's perspective, may be interpreted as an attempt to liven up the narration, as a well-deserved recognition to Teutonic discipline and heroism, or as a pro-National Socialist stance. I don't really care what, but this book could be the right choice for a history teacher willing to introduce his pupils to a pro-German inclination without making it too obvious that he's doing so.

All in all, I would recommend this book only to beginner students of WWII and the Eastern front. Otherwise you may wish to look for Kershaw R., "War Without Garlands", or, in a more general perspective, for Overy's (or even Erickson's) general histories of the conflict in the East.

For me, history comes alive when you can begin to comprehend the circumstances, situations and emotions individuals endured during historic events. Lucas' book achieves this. The book has about 15 chapters that touch on diverse yet very fascinating aspects of the war in Russia. His writing skills paint a picture of the mud, dust, cold, snow, brillance, horror and bravery. If you have read many books on the Eastern Front, I still recommend this because you will learn even more. The stories are very unique. Read it!

This is a good book on the topic because it covers many of the issues the average solder had to face. The author does not bog us down with a lot of detail on tactics or hundreds of different division names from multiple armies. This book reminds me of "Eyes Deep in Hell" which covers the foot solder in WW 1. The author does keep the story moving and before you know it you have completed the book. This book is not the overall history of the front, just a very well written overview. If you are looking to start studying the eastern front or just want a good book on the topic, I would recommend this book.

Lucas has produced a well researched and readable book.What he sets out too do is to describe the environment (eg the influences of the pripet marshes and weather) of the fighting in Russia together with some short eyewitness experiences. The book is at its best when it relates personnel experiences as some of the environment stuff can be tedious. With a bit more of the personnel experiences it would have acheived 5 stars. Well worth the read

The book consists of separate chapters, each in the form of an article that addresses phases of the Russo-German war. The book describes the intensity of that conflict in an excellent manner. The section dealing with climate leaves no doubt with respect to the severity of the difficulties faced by the Germans in Russia.

Overall, an excellent summary of what it was like to live and fight on the Eastern Front.

I read a lot on the the war on the Eastern Front, and this is a very objective book, that covers both the German and Soviet perspectives. The chapters are fairly short, which means you can not get bogged down on to much detail. Also I was amazed by all the new information I learned, especially about the partisan warfare, and how the climate of the Soviet Union affected both the German and Soviet armies. This is an extremely easy read, which the reader will find informative and very entertaining.

Sergio, you are obviously a pawn of the liberal, self-eviscerating academic illuminati that run a majority of the world's history depts. As a reader of a number of James Lucas books, I find that they actually have presented a quite objective view in regards to the typical establishment slander and tripe judgements of history that they have passed down for the last fifty years. After sifting through such garbage as Alan Clark's 'Barbarossa,' Soviet volumes of the "The Patriotic War"(Patriotic with a gun to the back of your head.) and other establishment dogma, a book that may take a perspective outside the mainstream is quite welcome. Sergio, you want to interpret history through blinders and your review only affirms that history will always be distorted and twisted by those who have the ability to command it. Would your wish for an objective view of the Eastern Front if it included information on a worthwhile Italian unit. Wait a minute-there weren't any. Sorry.

My favorite part of this book was the chapters detailing the use of self-propelled artillery in many of the battles. You don't find this mentioned in many books but it was very deadly on the Russian attacks. Many of the accounts give you the feeling of what it must have been like to be in the battle.

I don't know what book Sergio was reading for his review below but he must have had his own agenda when he read it because I didn't notice any of the drivel that he's ranting about. Read it again Sergio, you missed the part between the front and back cover, lol.

Sergio, you are obviously a pawn of the liberal, self-eviscerating academic illuminati that run a majority of the world's history depts. As a reader of a number of James Lucas books, I find that they actually have presented a quite objective view in regards to the typical establishment slander and tripe judgements of history that they have passed down for the last fifty years. After sifting through such garbage as Alan Clark's 'Barbarossa,' Soviet volumes of the "The Patriotic War"(Patriotic with a gun to the back of your head.) and other establishment dogma, a book that may take a perspective outside the mainstream is quite welcome. Sergio, you want to interpret history through blinders and your review only affirms that history will always be distorted and twisted by those who have the ability to command it. Would your wish for an objective view of the Eastern Front if it included information on a worthwhile Italian unit. Wait a minute-there weren't any. Sorry.