Humanity · War · Dreams

Author: Valentin Volkov, Zhao Yunping, Sun Yue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Russian General Valentin Volkov describes his youth in the Soviet era and his experiences in the Great Patriotic War in this book, set against this backdrop. From mobilization to attending officer training and finally heading to the front, the author witnessed many significant events of the war. The book provides a detailed account of the brutal Stalingrad campaign, participating in the major counteroffensive, crossing the Dnieper River, sweeping across Eastern Europe's German forces, and ultimately capturing Berlin and occupying the Reichstag in a series of epic actions. The author presents historical scenes with "trench realism," bringing the subject closer to its true nature. He himself was one of the young commanders who frequently appeared in Soviet documentaries, greeting victory flags from the German front at Moscow Central Airport and holding them during the Red Square parade. Due to his high-ranking position after the war, he had access to a large amount of internal materials, and the book also reveals many previously undisclosed declassified documents and historical facts. The author offers his own insights into key international figures of World War II, especially his interpretations of Allied operations, the "Normandy Landing," and the military significance of the Soviet-German front, which are uniquely expressed with the perspective of an Eastern soldier.