Fortress Dark and Stern: The Soviet Home Front during World War II

[TheMarcksPlan]

https://www.amazon.com/Fortress-Dark-St ... B092W6P9LJ

Just finished reading this. I was very excited for this book given Goldman and Filtzer's editorship of the excellent Hunger and War on the SU's food situation during the Great Patriotic War and resultant health problems.

The book did not disappoint. It effortlessly interweaves statistical/analytical treatments of the home front problems facing the SU (evacuation, mobilization, public health, internal security) with first-person narratives of the human toll.

My WW2 perspective has always been that the SU won WW2 through its citizens' heroism - not an original take but challenged/revised somewhat recently. I came away from reading this book all the more convinced on every level, haunted by some of the stories, and in awe of the national effort. Can't recommend it enough.

[Tom from Cornwall]

Just finished reading this. I was very excited for this book given Goldman and Filtzer's editorship of the excellent Hunger and War on the SU's food situation during the Great Patriotic War and resultant health problems.

Thanks for the review. I've just ordered "Hunger and War" and have "Fortress Dark and Stern" on my list next. And now for some more book shelves.

Regards

Tom

[Tom from Cornwall]

I was very excited for this book given Goldman and Filtzer's editorship of the excellent Hunger and War on the SU's food situation during the Great Patriotic War and resultant health problems.

Working through Hunger and War at the moment and I agree that it is an excellent study. A grim read and one which goes far to highlight the extraordinary impact of the war on the Soviet population.

Certainly intend to pick up Fortress Dark and Stern next. Thanks for recommendations which I heartily second.

Regards

Tom

[TheMarcksPlan]

Just to follow up on this rec, Youtube records a great talk with the authors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWryaJx6qjQ