Relics of the Reich is the story of what happened to the buildings the Nazis left behind. Hitler’s Reich may have been defeated in 1945 but many buildings; military installations and other sites remained. At the end of the War; some were obliterated by the victorious Allies but others survived.For almost fifty years; these were left crumbling and ignored with post-war and divided Germany unsure what to do with them; often fearful that they might become shrines for neo-Nazis. Since the early 1990s; Germans have come to terms with these iconic sites and their uncomfortable part. Some sites are even listed buildings.Relics of the Reich visits many of the buildings and structures built or adapted by the Nazis and looks at what has happened since 1945 to try to discover what it tells us about Germany’s attitude to Nazism now.It also acts as a commemoration of mankind’s deliverance from a dark decade and serves as renewal of our commitment to ensure history does not repeat itself.
#128149 in Books Osprey Publishing 2016-01-19 2016-01-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 12.62 x 43.05 x 9.97l; 4.72 #File Name: 147280774X272 pages9781472807748
Review
75 of 75 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Operational Level Maps; but with a few caveats for those looking for moreBy ReasonableGuyHere are the positives:The presentation (which is the first thing one sees) is quite handsome. The atlas comes in a cloth cover bookcase. The quality is excellent; especially given the modest price.The atlas provides an impressive assortment of operational level maps treating just about any campaign you can think of. In some cases; major operations are covered by multiple maps. The maps are clear; and the units clearly identified. In most cases; text explaining the operation is presented on one page; with a full page map on the facing page. Occasionally; the facing page will have two half page maps. Each map has a scale bar; but no specification of the precise scale in numeric terms. If you are looking for a companion atlas that will help you to visualize the flow of the war on the eastern front at the operational level this may be exactly what you're looking for. And again; it's not all that expensive given the quality of presentation and the number of maps included.That said; that you may avoid potential buyer's remorse; here's what you may be looking for in the atlas that you won't find:There are relatively few maps that could be characterized as "tactical". So in most cases; there's no "zooming in" on points of interest. Several maps depict major urban battles. The most detailed are two of the Warsaw Uprising. The Berlin maps are good too. Stalingrad gets three maps. One showing the entire city; the other two focusing respectively on the southern and northern ends of the city. There are also half page maps of Kharkov. Most typically; the units portrayed on most of the maps in the atlas are division level or higher. In only one instance can I recall a unit of less than battalion strength portrayed. Of course if one isn't overly interested in tactical depictions; then this isn't a problem.There is only one map dealing with industry/resources/logistics; and it fairly rudimentary. This is one area where the atlas could have done much better. I think railroads were deserving of more extensive coverage; perhaps showing whether they were single or double tracked; as well as German progress on converting their gauge. Nor is there an adequate treatment of the rivers as a means of logistical transport. It also hurts that there are no data tables to convey statistical information such as are often found in other atlases. It should have been possible to present more information on what was produced where. Weather would also seem like a topic warranting greater discussion in an atlas of the eastern front. The bottom line is that logistical issues play such an important role on the eastern front. For an atlas to be considered definitive; this was really an area that deserved a more extensive treatment.There are no photos in the atlas. This is a lesser criticism. I'm not disappointed by the lack of stock photos of tanks rolling cross-country. However; at times it's useful to see a photo of a location to visualize it; and of course aerials certainly have a place in any atlas.The bottom line is that this atlas is a very nice piece of work at a reasonable price. Whether or not it is for you may come down to the question of what you already have in your library; and what you want this atlas to add to it.35 of 37 people found the following review helpful. Terrific Bang For Your Buck!By Eric M. WaltersI ordered this from because the price was attractive and I imagined a useful compendium of maps; intended as a reference complementing my already substantial Eastern Front library. Was I ever surprised by the very high quality of this product. The book is large and comes in a sturdy slipcase. The maps are easy to read and with accompanying concise narratives--it was fun just to sit down in my favorite chair and peruse the whole thing from cover-to-cover. Whatever books I will be reading on World War II Russian Front battles; I will have this volume readily at hand. If you are an Eastern Front history buff; wargamer; or serious scholar/author; you won't want to be without this indispensable reference. Best of all; it's a bargain for what you get in terms of substantive information and physical production.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. An essential companion to books on the Eastern Front.By BlackBearIn attempting to increase my knowledge of World War II's Eastern Front; I obtained a slightly used volume of John Erickson's "The Road to Stalingrad." As I got into this highly rated book; I found it basically unreadable as it had no maps. I have a need to place friendly and enemy units; cities; and land features in relation with each other in reading about campaigns and battles. Kirchubel's "Atlas of the Eastern Front" met this need admirably. The book contains 122 maps covering overviews; campaigns; and battles in some cases (e.g.; Stalingrad) down to urban combat detail. Military units are clearly depicted; generally at the army; corps; and division level; and are depicted in color to quickly tell friend from foe. The atlas contains some narrative text to assist those readers unfamiliar with the Eastern Front . The book is well constructed; the maps lay flat; and it comes in a slipcase. It is a good compliment to those maps included in relevant history books. I recommend this atlas for anyone interested in the subject; and I am pleased that I bought mine.
