I have brought out a new book on Stalingrad: Michael K Jones, Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed (Pen and Sword Military, 2007; ISBN: 9781844155439). David M Glantz wrote the Foreword. For the last five years I have led battlefield tours to Stalingrad, and worked extensively with Red Army veterans of the fighting. The book contains a lot of powerful new veteran testimony, and also draws upon the recently released combat records for the 62nd Army - the Soviet defenders of the city. I believe a very different version of this famous battle emerges as a result. With my best wishes to everyone on the Forum, Mike.
Mike, Welcome to the Forum. Please tell us more of your trips to Stalingrad. As you have had so much contact with Red Army Veterans care to comment on the Ivan's War thread? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/books-movies/10447-ivans-war-catherine-merridale.html Book you mention sounds good. Can I have a signed copy? Please.:m6:
I have brought out a new book on Stalingrad: Michael K Jones, Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed (Pen and Sword Military, 2007; ISBN: 9781844155439). David M Glantz wrote the Foreword. I concentrate on the Soviet 62nd Army - the defenders of Stalingrad - and look at the vital issues of morale, motivation and leadership during the 'defensive phase' of the city fighting, from 17 July - 19 November 1942. I do believe a very different view of this famous battle emerges as a result. With best wishes to everyone on the Forum, Mike.
Just read this review of your book, Mike. http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/3304083/Stalingrad/Product.html This is a defining book that opens up a whole new way of considering that awful conflict in the East: From the individual Russian soldiers point of view, first hand, on the ground, from the source and without communist rhetoric or dubious translation. It is sure to become a classic. Professor Richard Homes was once the master of telling the story of the ordinary soldier at war, the baton has clearly now been passed to Michael K Jones. Jones takes this type of narrative prose to an all new level having been able to obtain accounts from veterans whilst actually touring the battlefield with them and having access to both their private papers and actual contemporary combat records. The book sets the scene for the overall conflict then comprehensively takes us through the battle detailing all the key events. The details of the 14 September and 14 October when the Red Army all but collapsed are chilling. The narrative is compulsive; Jones clearly knows the terrain like the back of his hand so that you get a real sense of being there. The pictures from the battlefield as it is today are somehow unnerving as they draw the whole story into reality. The book is not over long and wont be half read and left on a shelf. Just how Jones managed to get access to so many veterans to tell their stories is a mystery to me. How do you get an ageing ex Deputy Commander of the Warsaw Pact or a revered War Poet to meet you and travel with you? This book sets the standard and is a comprehensive work, I hope Jones will be able to bring his unique approach to the other major areas of the War in the East, hopefully this book will be the first in a series. Any chance of Kharkov, Sevastopol or Leningrad? Looks like that's yet another one on my "to buy" list.
Many thanks for your interest! The tours were organised by UK companies Midas and Holts Battlefield Tours, and an associated Russian one, and we also worked with the Moscow Council of War Veterans.When I got to know the Stalingrad veterans well enough I invited them to join us. A particular highlight was being joined in Volgograd by Colonel-General Anatoly Mereshko. Mereshko was a Red Army staff officer during the battle, reporting directly to Stalingrad's commander Vasily Chuikov. He subsequently rose to become Deputy Commander of the Warsaw Pact. His astonishing testimony forms the narrative spine of my book - and most of it is entirely new! Yes, I know Catherine Merridale's book well. It is undoubtedly very good, but it paints a larely negative picture of the Red Army. As a result, we understand the fear its soldiers felt but struggle to comprehend their astonishing courage. And that courage is the key to understanding how they held out at Stalingrad. I am doing a book signing at the War and Peace Military Fair on 21 July. Best wishes, Mike.
Welcome Mike, sounds interesting. Always good to see the Red Army being given the credit for their fighting ability that they deserve and seem to so rarely get in the West. Have fun, (and hope you enjoy Beltring). Cheers, Adam.
I can say recently another book of J. Mark was published Island of Fire As I supplied him with copies of the Soviet archival documents I think the book is worth to read. Jason seems to analyse those data day-by-day... the book is tremendous. My English is not so good to make possible for me to read it all...:goodnight: Regards, Alex
Thanks! - I really agree. There was a brief window of opportunity to write this book. Many Red Army veterans of Stalingrad are now passing away - and their remarkable stories are going with them. I wanted to pay tribute to their astonishing courage.
The UK launch of my book is at Borders Islington on Wednesday 11 July at 7.00pm. I am also doing signings of my Stalingrad book at the War and Peace Show, Beltring, on Saturday 21 July and at the GB-Russia Society on Wednesday 25th. Best wishes, Mike.
Hello Mike. Where will the signing take place? Beltring is a big, confusing place after a lot of gin and I would like to wander up and say hello. Might even buy a copy, you never know! H
Just a quick update - Casemate are bringing out the USA edition of my book on Stalingrad this month. Best wishes, Mike.
Just a quick update - Casemate are bringing out the USA edition of my book on Stalingrad this month. Sorry I missed your email about Beltring, Captain Sensible - I was away battlefield tour guiding and then went straight to the event: what a quagmire! There may well be a Russian edition of Stalingrad - will keep you posted. Best wishes, Mike.
Just bumping this old thread from 2007. As it's 70 years ago this year since the battle , I thought I ought to read up abit more about it. I didnt buy this bok in the end, other things to spend money on. Has anyone got it & what did they think of it ?
Thought I'd save money & get it from the library. Had a quick flick through & looks an excellent book, lots of wartime photos I've never seen before & some good ones of the area in more recent times. Some excellent maps including a copy of a comtempory(?) one showing the 37th Guards positions in the workers settlement in the Tractor factory the morning of 14 October 1942. I think i'm going to enjoy this book, if that's the right word. Shame I never read it back in 2007.
Mike Jones, Excellent book. You describe the depravity of mankind, the horror of absolute war with great skill. A thankful Canadian.
