Russia's War - by Richard Overy (Paperback)

About the Book

Overy gained exclusive access to previously unavailable information from the former KGB, GRU, and presidential archives to assemble this definitive book that fully covers the Russian efforts to defeat the Axis powers in World War II. 70 photos. 9 maps.

Book Synopsis

"A penetrating and compassionate book on the most gigantic military struggle in world history."--The New York Times Book Review

"An extraordinary tale... Overy's engrossing book provides extensive details of teh slaughter, brutality, bitterness and destruction on the massive front from the White Sea to the flank of Asia."--Chicago Tribune

The Russian war effort to defeat invading Axis powers, an effort that assembled the largest military force in recorded history and that cost the lives of more than 25 million Soviet soldiers and civilians, was the decisive factor for securing an Allied victory. Now with access to the wealth of film archives and interview material from Russia used to produce the ten-hour television documentary Russia's War, Richard Overy tackles the many persuasive questions surrounding this conflict. Was Stalin a military genius? Was the defense of Mother Russia a product of something greater than numbers of tanks and planes--of something deep within the Russian soul?

Review Quotes

"Penetrating and compassionate..." - The New York Times

"Masterly ... a vivid account"-- Robert Service, Independent (London)

"A dramatic and exciting tale ... His set-piece descriptions of such visions of Hell as Stalingrad, the 900-day siege of Leningrad and the crucial battle of Kursk are as fascinating as they are horrifying" ― Sunday Times (London)

"Overy is a first-class military historian ... He writes concisely and says what he means to say ... Now, we have an authoritative British account that understands both sides, without illusions." -- Norman Stone, Spectator (London)

"Excellent ... Overy tackles this huge, complex and multifaceted story with the vital gifts of clarity and brevity" -- Antony Beevor, Literary Review (London)

About the Author

Richard Overy is Professor of History at the University of Exeter and one of Britain's most distinguished historians and an internationally renowned scholar of World War II. He is the recipient of the Hessell-Tiltman Prize, the Wolfson History Prize, the Samuel Eliot Morison Prize and is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Royal Historical Society. His many works include Blood and Ruins, The Bombing War, Dictators and The Morbid Age.