3.5 stars

Not the most smooth, easy-reading translation ever, but Laursen, Mark, and Steinmuller give readers of English the opportunity to see key moments in from a German soldier’s point of view. Wuster’s memories lack the ideology and bombast generally associated with World War 2 Germany, depicting instead the everyday wins, losses, personal skirmishes, and struggles to survive.

Photographs throughout and the appendices that provide eye witness accounts from other German soldiers in the same location add to the body of data that has been assembled, and an index is always a welcomed tool. I can see this volume in public and school libraries, serving as a valuable research aid to give a personal and varied look at a pivotal moment in history.

Thank you to Dr. Wigand Wuster, Jason D. Mark, Torben Laursen, Harald Steinmuller, Stackpole Books, and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The more I read about the Second World War the more questions I have. This book is not a political look at the German war effort but rather a regular soldiers and others attempts to survive in an impossible situation that is beyond words. First , the photos are excellent and match the text in progression and idea. To read about these men and their certain deaths made me very sad. It is told from a regular soldiers perspective. Someone who is living in unimaginable conditions and noise, as well as starvation and violence.. This book took me there it is so well written, Anyone who thinks war is grand should read this. It should also be required reading for all leaders IMO.

A very interesting read on the life of a German artillery officer at Stalingrad during WW2. The story told from his first hand account is a vivid description of the hardships faced during the siege of Stalingrad. A great read for the historical enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.