contents,
The basics, from the publisher: colour illustrations throughout, including battle scene artworks, maps, 3D diagrams and photographs; 248 x 184 mm format, at 96 pages, authored by Robert Forczyk, illustrated by Steve NOON.
I'll state at the outset that I have not read parts one and two of this trilogy, which may put me at a disadvantage in reviewing this title, the third and final part. Having read a few books on [the battle of] Stalingrad, I'd have to say this has little to differentiate itself from several other titles on the subject. There is mention of Paulus being a leader withdrawn and unavailable to his men, and lacking the imagination to save the situation, whether by organising a breakout or disobeying Hitler's orders.
The book itself is logically broken down as per the contents page of:
Origins of the campaign
Chronology
Opposing commanders Soviet Axis
Opposing forces Soviet Axis Orders of battle, 19 November 1942
Opposing plans Soviet Axis
The campaign [from] Operations Uranus, 19-23 November 1942 [to] Operation Ring and the end of 6.Armee, 1 January -2 February 1943.
Analysis
The Battlefield today
Further reading
Index
The book is apolitical, balanced, and well written, even it if comes with an erratum notice inside the cover, which refers to a printing error, rather than a factual error in the text... like Stalingrad was fought in 1941, or similar.
The maps, tables, and images include a good explanation, and support the text, ie there is no image that does not relate to the subject,
In summary, a succinct analysis of a battle that has its fair share of books written about it, spread out over three parts, that does little to lift recommend itself.
Some images, if you please:
ok, i am not sure how i have managed to get some images landscape and others portrait, but it is annoying me, so sorry for that.
a map, one of a few in the book.
some evocative artwork
and an explanation of that...
A classic image of Stalingrad, Soviets.
A classic image of Stalingrad, Germans (in happier days).
A scene straight out of Stalingrad,
and the explanation...