I first read "The 900 Days" more than 20 years ago and finally own my own copy. It is one of the most powerful nonfiction books you will ever read. 25 years after his own visit to Leningrad at the end of the siege in 1944, American journalist Harrison Salisbury set out to tell the definitive story of one of World War II's most consequential battles.
The millions of Germans and Central Europeans who invaded the USSR in June 1941 were divided into three major groups. Army Group Nord was tasked with capturing Leningrad and at first it appeared they would succeed. Indeed, I am forced to the conclusion that holding Leningrad after it was besieged was wasteful of lives. But what choice did the Soviets have? Salisbury notes that the Germans had been ordered to keep attacking Leningrad even if it surrendered.
The level of suffering and starvation in Leningrad in the winter and spring of 1942 is comparable to what was happening in Auschwitz at roughly the same time. The people of Leningrad starved because they were Russians, the prisoners in Auschwitz were gassed because they were mostly Jews; and the Nazis believed neither group had any place in Europe. Such suffering is the ultimate argument against the existence of God just as the fact the Nazis were finally defeated is the ultimate argument for His existence.
If you have any interest in World War II or the history of Russia generally, please read "The 900 Days." It and the siege of Leningrad are a monument to the human spirit for all time.
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About the author
Horrific story of WWII Leningrad siege
I read this book before going to Russia, on a river cruise, Moscow to St. Petersburg. My experience there:A word about safety. Irina warned us about pickpockets at the Kremlin. Moscow, SPB and some Baltic cities have pedestrian tunnels at some intersections. You have to use these tunnels to cross the street. On the last day in SPB, I asked a guide, Marina,, on how to get to a sign on Nevski Prospekt from the WWII **** blockade of Leningrad(Mentioned in “900 Days: The Siege Of Leningrad” by Harrison Salisbury). This sign--”Citizens: In case of artillery shelling, this side of the street is more dangerous.” I have attached a picture of this sign. Marina said to take a bus 3 stops and walk a ways. The bus that I got on went 1 stop and turned left. I walked the rest of about 12 blocks, took a picture of the sign and walked back, In the second of 2 tunnels, a man stopped in front of me. I attempted to go around him, and a 2nd man blocked my way. In the meantime a 3rd man came behind me and started to take my fanny pack/pick my pockets. I grabbed my pockets and fanny pack, They gave up and went away. There were a lot of people on the steps out of the tunnel and they didn’t want witnesses. I was very fortunate not be hurt.
Top reviews from other countries
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- Juliane ColsmanReviewed in Germany on October 16, 2013
Excellent, sweeping account of the Siege of Leningrad
