Stalingrad Reborn

[DicedT]

Had a chance to correspond with David Glantz and Anthony Beevor, two of the top Eastern Front historians. http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2013/03/12/802/

Michael

[Gusington]

Beevor's book on Stalingrad is one of my all time favorites. Good writeup there too, I had no idea you wrote for Forbes.

[Jarhead0331]

...I had no idea you wrote for Forbes.

He's just trying to build a resume so he can make it to writing for grogheads.

[LongBlade]

...I had no idea you wrote for Forbes.

He's just trying to build a resume so he can make it to writing for grogheads.

Heh. Fat chance. Just ask DeathTouchWilly!

[bob48]

Beevor's book on Stalingrad is one of my all time favorites. Good writeup there too, I had no idea you wrote for Forbes.

It is indeed an excellent book Gus, without doubt the best book on the subject. Not long ago I read his book on the Spanish Civil War, and that is equally as good. Highly recommended.

[LongBlade]

Nice write up, Michael.

I really like the reference to Brigadoon. Well done.

Too bad they cut you short. I thought you were just getting warmed up to dig into some cool Stanlingrad history and discussion with Glantz and Beevor when it ended! I wish they'd given you 20,000 more words. That was good stuff.

[Gusington]

Yeah for me another couple 1000 words at least would have been great. And as JH mentions above...today Forbes, tomorrow...Grogheads. Don't worry we won't hold your writing for Forbes against you :)

[Longdan]

I like it when the add doesn't impair my enjoyment.  Always good to read History in modern publications.
My daughter's friend (about 21 yrs old) asked the other day.  "World War One?  Wasn't that the one
with Napoleon and the Kaiser?"  Well I guess she got 50% which is good enough for high school these days.

[DicedT]

I could have put in more detail, but I'm always torn between keeping it light enough for the casual reader (who barely knows that we were allied with Russia in WWII), and deep enough for the historically knowledgeable. Depending on the reaction this gets, I may write more like this. In the meantime, if you folks want to get a conversation going on Stalingrad and military history, start a comment thread on Forbes. I'll try to respond. Maybe we'll spark some curiosity among casual readers.

As for writing for Grogheads, I am not worthy of Master Longblade and Sensei Jarhead. And that guy whose first name is Bayonet.

Michael

[GDS_Starfury]

Glantz's books are excellent sources of information but his writing style is soooooo dry.  I also think hes a closet soveitophile.

[LongBlade]

As for writing for Grogheads, I am not worthy of Master Longblade and Sensei Jarhead. And that guy whose first name is Bayonet.

Michael

Ha!

Like we could afford you :)

[Gusington]

'Napoleon and the Kaiser'...God help us.

[Al]

Glantz's books are excellent sources of information but his writing style is soooooo dry.  I also think hes a closet soveitophile.

I know that Glantz's books are THE source for the eastern front but, like you, I just have a hard time plowing through the text.  (I met him once many years ago while he was still at Ft. Leavenworth).

I end up going with eastern front books with less detail and maybe not the same hyper-accuracy but are more readable.

BTW, nice article DiceT.

[GDS_Starfury]

his Leningrad book had me seriously considering a warm bath and an razor blade.

[DicedT]

Years ago, I offered to help Glantz write his books in a more accessible style. He told he thought he was doing better at lightening them up (his Kursk book with Jonathan House was lighter than most).

Michael