Just finished reading Berlin: The Downfall 1945 by Antony Beevor. [View All]

[Matilda]

It's a big book, nearly 500 pages, and I thought it might be a bit
dry, but it was fascinating.

It's extraordinarily well researched, and although I know nothing of
battles and tactics, I was able to understand (mostly) Beevor's
descriptions of the manoeuvres of the Soviet and German armies,
especially with the aid of the pages of excellent maps provided.

I also wouldn't have expected to feel pity for the German people,
but I did - the descriptions of what happened to the people of
East Prussia at the hands of the Red Army was quite shocking. Yes,
it was payback time for the Soviets, but even so - they're all
people in the end.

I highly recommend this book to all students of history, and to
anyone who'd like to learn in detail just what happened during the
months of January through May 1945.