The German Way of War

April 8, 2008 / Add comment

The fall of the USSR and the opening of extensive Soviet archives has reawakened interest in Russia's role in World War II. Messenger looks at several books that examine the Eastern Front, one of which, Rodric Braithwaite's Moscow 1941, he considers a truly great work of history. By way of setting the scene, Messenger also engages in an extended discussion of the facts surrounding Hitler's foiled Russian blitz, and examines how Germany's flawed military mindset ensured defeat almost from the start. Although history buffs will be delighted with the piece, the article's uneven structure and dense writing make for a frustrating read.