outskirts of Berlin to walk along the paths, trails, slopes, and dirt roads German and Soviettroops walked, ran, and were killed on while fighting each other.In short, the highly detailed and absorbing battlefield guide is the ideal companion for anyoneconsidering exploring the terrains on which the epic battles along Oder front were foughtbetween January and April 1945. Using his collection of in-depth research gathered as a well-versed historian in the battlefield guide, the author vividly describes the last weeks of thevarious battles on the Eastern Front which resulted in the Red Army advancing toward Berlindespite dogged, skillful German defenses.In addition, meticulous searches for, and discovery of, searing eyewitness accounts, add toMcCormack’s presentation of the ground fighting, all ultimately finding their way into a first-rate, gold-rich chapters of information, especially on how to reach the least visited areas.Furthermore, the guide is an essential book for understanding the staggering triumph of theSoviets and the final collapse of Hitler’s last land forces defending the city of two million.“Part 2, The Battle of Berlin” is the second ideal companion to grapple with “Hitler’sGotterdammerung” in April-May 1945. Here, David describes the apocalyptic struggle playedout among the ruins and mounds of rubble remaining in the once majestic city. His intimateknowledge of the neighborhoods and their streets ensures that the Wagnerian climax of theThird Reich is presented in a series of dramatic tableaux which captures the Third Reich’sconvulsive death throes.Readers of the superb literature of WWII that has been mushrooming for the past decade whodecide to go will enjoy visiting the fascinating sites David McCormack selected in Part 2 amongthe more than a thousand available. The guide is absolutely essential to fully grasp both the
importance of the Fuhrer’s downfall and the result of Stalin’s conquest today.
