Russia at War, 1941–1945: A History

Written by Alexander Werth and Nicolas Werth

Narrated by Derek Perkins

In 1941, Russian-born British journalist Alexander Werth observed the unfolding of the Soviet-German conflict with his own eyes. What followed was the widely acclaimed book, Russia at War, first printed in 1964. At once a history of facts, a collection of interviews, and a document of the human condition, Russia at War is a stunning, modern classic that chronicles the savagery and struggles on Russian soil during the most incredible military conflict in modern history.



As a behind-the-scenes eyewitness to the pivotal, shattering events as they occurred, Werth chronicles with vivid detail the hardships of everyday citizens, massive military operations, and the political movements toward diplomacy as the world tried to reckon with what they had created. Despite its sheer historical scope, Werth tells the story of a country at war in startlingly human terms, drawing from his daily interviews and conversations with generals, soldiers, peasants, and other working class civilians. The result is a unique and expansive work with immeasurable breadth and depth, built on lucid and engaging prose, that captures every aspect of a terrible moment in human history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Nov 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781666115307

Reviews for Russia at War, 1941–1945

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I read focussed on the eastern front. It has always seemed to be an adequate exploration of the largest armed conflict on this planet.

[neurodrew · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Russia at War 1941-1945
Alexander Werth
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
I read this book many years ago, but have been sampling and browsing over the past two nights. I cannot decide if I want to give it away; I originally selected it to make room for more Folio volumes, but as I review the book, I think I will keep it. Werth was a correspondent during the Second World War, and his book has personal recollections, as well as an exhaustive history of the war. There are many quotes from reminiscences and contemporary news reports, and interesting maps.

[richard7920 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An account of Russia's role in World War II written by a correspondent who actually lived in Russia during the war. Originally published in 1964, during the most frigid depths of the Cold War, at a time when much of the information about this particular aspect of the war was locked down in Soviet secrecy, the sweeping account tells the story from a balanced, but clearly Russian viewpoint. This book is to the Russian role in World War II what William L. Shirer's, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is to Germany's, and deserves serious if not equal praise.