Kiev 1941

Hitler's Battle for Supremacy in the East

By: David Stahel

Narrated by: Matthew Waterson

In just four weeks in the summer of 1941 the German Wehrmacht wrought unprecedented destruction on four Soviet armies, conquering central Ukraine and killing or capturing three quarters of a million men. This was the Battle of Kiev - one of the largest and most decisive battles of World War II and, for Hitler and Stalin, a battle of crucial importance. For the first time, David Stahel charts the battle's dramatic course and aftermath, uncovering the irreplaceable losses suffered by Germany's "panzer groups" despite their battlefield gains, and the implications of these losses for the German war effort. He illuminates the inner workings of the German army, as well as the experiences of ordinary soldiers, showing that with the Russian winter looming and Soviet resistance still unbroken, victory came at huge cost and confirmed the turning point in Germany's war in the East.

©2012 David Stahel (P)2019 Tantor

Surprisingly Engaging and Facinating

Actually really enjoyed this work as it brought me into the world of 1941. I would recommend this without pause to an interested person.

Quite well done!!!!

Great narrator and story. Definitely will read more of David Stahel’s books, whether audio or hard copy.

Great detail

Long listen with a lot of good detail, some explanations seem to be one sided but otherwise worth the time spent listening.

A timely reminder of the dangers of unrealistic optimism

An astute and evidence-based assessment of the events around the Battle of Kiev, a human-rights tragedy of astounding proportions. TV documentaries may breathlessly praise the daring and power of Hitler’s decision to risk a battle at Kiev. But as David Stahel points out, this decision was entirely divorced from any sustainable strategy. Stalin’s stubborn and inhumane insistence on directing tactics was in fact the real “genius” of the Nazi victory.
Although it’s not the focus of the book, Stahel does shine a light on the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazi rank and file, as well as by their officers, and how the fascist philosophy blinded its adherents to the realities of the challenges they were facing. I would have liked to learn more about the experiences of the civilian population. The people of Ukraine are mentioned only as victims of Nazi crimes, rather than real people with culture and agency.
Two stars for the reader. I’ll avoid any books read by this guy. Stultifying intonation, toe-curlingly bad mispronunciations of German words. He diminished my enjoyment of an otherwise good book.

Bravo

And excellent depiction of the battle of the Kiev. And the foibles of the German high command.