A powerful, synthetic recounting of Germany’s ill-managed siege during World War II, which marked the Eastern campaign’s turning point. The sometimes barbarous spring-summer blitzkrieg had driven deep into the treeless Russian steppe, but the campaign foundered in the street fighting of a Volga-side city, reduced to rubble by German bombing. Nazi advantages were thereby neutralized and the Soviets grimly hung on until winter set in. Ruthless use of humanity characterized the defense, which catalyzed on the belief that it could not retreat into Asia. Encirclement (kessel) preceded the destruction of the 6th Army as well as the start of Germany’s long retreat. The book divides time between geopolitical decision making and the chilling lot of the common soldier, unhealthful and cheap.