Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Meat Grinder:
Nazis and Soviets trying to one up each other in the game of “needless slaughter.”
Quick synopsis:
A look at the battles for the Rzhev Salient right outside Stalingrad in World War II.
Fact for Non-History People:
Russians trained dogs to be suicide bombers. I am not okay with this. No one should be okay with this.
Fact for History Nerds:
The Nazis intended to starve the Soviet Union. No, not figuratively, literally. They were going to starve a whole country to extermination.
My Take on Meat Grinder:
Listen, it’s a tough read whenever it’s the Nazis vs. the Soviet Union. Both of these powers were the masters of unimaginable cruelty. History holds the Nazis up as the apex of evil (rightly), but then you will read about a Soviet tactic or two and feel horribly conflicted. But don’t worry, Prit Buttar is here to help!
What makes Meat Grinder readable is Buttar’s ability (and willingness) to never lose sight of the everyday soldier. Sure, Stalin and Hitler should rot in hell for eternity. However, the battles were fought by men who were put in impossible positions in a battle for their very survival. Buttar tells the story of the battles outside Stalingrad from their point of view while never losing sight of the overall war. Yes, you will read about despicable acts by both sides, but Buttar finds the humanity in a sea of desolation. You won’t be happy the Soviet Union won, but you will be happy the Nazis lost.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Osprey Publishing.)
Verdict:
An absolute must read for World War II nerds. Buy it here!
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