The harrowing; tragic story of a city and a people ravaged by one of the most brutal battles of World War II. In 1945; in the face of the advancing Red Army; two and a half million people were forced out of Germany’s most easterly province; East Prussia; and in particular its capital; Königsberg. Their flight was a direct result of Hitler’s ill-fated decision to invade the Soviet Union in 1941. Now that the Germans were in retreat; the horrors of Leningrad and Stalingrad were to be avenged by an army determined not only to invade Germany but to take over its eastern territories. The Russians launched Operation Bagration in June 1944 to coincide with the D-Day landings. As US and British forces pushed west; the Russians liberated Eastern Europe and made their first attacks on German soil in the autumn of 1944. Königsberg itself was badly damaged by two British air raids at the end of August 1944; and the main offensive against the city by the Red Army began in January 1945. The depleted and poorly armed German army could do little to hold it back; and by the end of January; East Prussia was cut off. The Russians exacted a terrible revenge on the civilian population; who were forced to flee across the freezing Baltic coast in an attempt to escape. On April 9; the city surrendered to the Russians after a four-day onslaught. Through firsthand accounts as well as archival material; The Fall of Hitler’s Fortress City tells the dramatic story of a place and its people that bore the brunt of Russia’s vengeance against the Nazi regime. Skyhorse Publishing; as well as our Arcade imprint; are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II; the Third Reich; Hitler and his henchmen; the JFK assassination; conspiracies; the American Civil War; the American Revolution; gladiators; Vikings; ancient Rome; medieval times; the old West; and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller; we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
#308007 in Books 2016-05-10Original language:English 9.00 x .70 x 6.00l; .90 #File Name: 1505105668336 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Cannot Find A Better Telling of History!!By E. C.As homeschoolers we love the ability to get super involved in a subject and let that topic fill our children's imaginations as they discuss and think about it for weeks at a time. "The Story of Civilization" Volume One was so well done; not only on the CD; but with the associated posters; textbooks; and activity books and teacher guide. The kids (ages 3-9) cheered to get in the car and became engrossed in the storytelling every time. They were so proud of their crafts and reciting their history lessons to their dad at dinner; it was wonderful for the whole family! As the kids would finish a disk; they would "lend" it to dad to listen to on his way to work. A trip to soccer; the Y; or a doctor's visit could all be made more enjoyable; educational; and fun with this wonderfully well done series. It was so amazing we got the "Story of the Bible" and "Story of Civilization Vol II." All three were great investments into our family's education and an answer to prayer!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Entertaining history lessons. Excellent for home-schoolers or anyone who values continual learning.By R.R. HillmanWe bought the audio version of "The Story of Civilization" to play in our car on trips for the children; ages 6 and 9. Very well done audio book; with action scenes; human interest highlights; and lots of sound effects to keep everyone interested. Everyone in the car listened and learned a lot (even the parents); and that dead time between places on our trip was kept vibrantly alive! Excellent history lessons; so we will be buying Volume II as soon as it is out in the spring. Highly recommended for educational; as well as recreational listening.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Finally a great history resource from a Catholic worldviewBy mmbWe have used Story of the World in our homeschooling...until now! Finally a great history resource from a Catholic worldview. It isn't a "textbook" but a highly enjoyable and well written adventure through history! Even the audio recording is superior; as it is a dramatized version that is highly engaging for the kids and flows beautifully. We are looking forward to volume 2.
