Hitler Moves East 1941-1943 by Paul Carell (1991-08-02) Hardcover

It may not be a scholarly effort for it doesn't have Footnotes but Mr Carell wrote in an engaging and informative style. Working for the government at the time, he had access to many documents and knew many influential people that he interviewed after the war. He writes from a German perspective, bestowing much praise on the German soldier but there were times in the book that he would also praise the Russian soldier's ingenuity and bravery.The book begins with the opening weeks of Operation Barbarossa and ends with the demise of 6th Army at Stalingrad. In between these two points, the author covers all three Fronts and will include the fighting at Smolensk, Uman, Kiev, Vyazma, Bryansk, Rzhev, Tula, Moscow, the approach to Lake Ilmen and to Leningrad and the attempt to take it. The German pockets near Kolm, Demyansk and the Vlasov affair are covered. Even the invasion of Norway is included. The advance on Kharkov, Stalino, Rostov and the battle for the Crimea (especially Sevastopol) are also given priority. The difficult time in the Caucasus follows. The book closes with a major section on Operation Blue and the fight for Stalingrad and the failed relief attempt by Hoth to free Paulus. It further discusses the Russian change in tactics of falling back instead of standing and getting encircled which fooled Hitler into thinking the Russians were finished.There are chapters on the importance of taking the capital in 1941 and the debate to advance on Moscow first before Kiev as well as the Soviet superiority of the T34 and KV series tanks. The impact of Siberian reinforcements for the defense of Moscow is also mentioned. There is coverage on Stalin, Hitler, Manstein, Guderian, Model and many others but to a lesser degree. The author's "Scorched Earth" is a sequel that finishes the war.The tactical coverage is not as comprehensive as a David Glantz book in that not every battle is described but its sufficient to give the reader a good understanding of the ordeal and accomplishments made by the German Army and the determination of the Russian Army not to give up and to fight on despite prior losses. The battles mention specific combat units and their commanders and key personnel. The author goes on to describe background information, the battlefield conditions and any other special circumstance that will enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of the engagement. Carell also adds individual anecdotal experiences to add the personal touch to the war and weaves the tactical with the personal in a interesting way. This book draws you in like David L Robbins' "War of the Rats" than a dry tactical documentary.There are 36 simple but effective maps. I like them for they were small area maps that covered just the topic currently being discussed. The map showed the axis of advance, important towns or terrain features. In addition to the maps of the above battles, maps were also provided for Staraya Russa, Klin, Sukhinichi, Vitebsk and Volkhov. On the German side troop disposition down to division and on the Russian side down to Army level were presented. The maps really helped in following the narrative.There are battlefield photos that were interesting and added to the book. The book closes with a Bibliography and an Index.I've read four of the author's books and they're all good but this is his best. I would think most people interested in the war on the Eastern Front and don't mind the German bias would enjoy and learn from this book and is highly recommended.

A classic that is hard to find. I have most of Carell's books on the war, and they are great insight into the German side of the conflict. It is obvious that, had Hitler not invaded Russia, WWII would have favored victory in Europe for the Nazis, in those early years at least. Russia cost Germany losses in huge numbers, of manpower, equipment, and eventually, morale to continue. Failure during that first winter of '41-42 sacrificed too much to a power that had unlimited manpower and the ability to both manufacture and import tanks and trucks at a much faster pace than Germany. Carrels excellent books on the War in the East are hard to put down. Well done!

I bought this in a paperback in the 60s but lost it. Ordered this as a used hard back. Probably the best history on Operation Barbarossa I’ve studied.

This was the only East front book when i was growing up. Everything else was France 1940, Africa, Sicily, D-Day, Market Garden, and the Bulge. This book explained how Germany lost, and set the standard for stories from individuals as well as the big picture. Now that the Soviet side is out it is no longer "The Book". It is still a keeper i think.

I was a skeptical when I saw the Title, but saw New York Times’ recommendation and decided to try it out.Incredible but true - A true Soldier's diary of the Eastern Front. One can perhaps only feel sorry for the Soldiers who somehow came under the spell of a Madman with an unmentionable name and perished in the unforgiving Russian Winter. Excellent research done.

yes this book is the the book to read .I got this book to replace the paper back one I wore out reading,I will wear this one out too the real story or the germany on the easten front paul Carell writes other book that are just as good in fact other books ues paul book as referance .buy the book there worth reading and give a good point of view.

If you can only buy one book about the Eastern Front in WW2, this is the book to get. It captures the feeling of being there like no other book has. Yes, it is written from the German point of view, but there is little to find from the Soviet point of view for the English reader, because so little of it has been translated from Russian.

The book was as described by the seller. It is readable and will survive a little longer with care. Worth the price.

This book as well as Scorched Earth, which is the second volume of Paul Carell's description of the war in the east between Germany and Russia in WW II, are both written with the same structure in mind. The battles and campaigns are described both at the low unit personal level and at the army command level.