Island of Fire: The Battle for the Barrikady Gun Factory in Stalingrad

While I welcomed the re-release of this sought after book by Stackpole at a reasonable price, the book doesn't meet the quality standards of Jason Mark's previous releases.I am judging the quality when compared to the following previously published "Stackpole" and "Leaping Horseman" titles:Besieged : The Epic Battle for CholmDeath of the Leaping Horseman : The 24th Panzer Division in StalingradInto Oblivion : Kharkov to StalingradIron Cross : Stalingrad - Kursk - BobruiskAngriff : The German Attack on Stalingrad in PhotosCroatian Legion : The 369th Reinforced (Croatian) Infantry Regiment on the Eastern Front 1941-1943An Artilleryman in StalingradAn Infantryman in StalingradGood Points:Book is large format and close in size to Stackpole's "Death of the Leaping Horseman"Text is legibleTables and appendixes are adequateNon-photo based maps are clear and usable.Book dust jacket while updated from the original release of the book is adequate.Bad Points:Book was published with paper that meets the "minimum" standards for Permanence of Paper. What this means is the pictures and aerial photographs are flat and lack the clarity of Stackpole's previously published "Death of the Leaping Horseman".Previous "Death of the Leaping Horseman" had a quality black matt used at the front and rear of the book while "Island of Fire" uses white paper.While I am glad I finally have a copy of this book if I had known that Stackpole was going to lessen the quality of the book I would have waited to buy a cheaper used copy.In summation I would have preferred that Stackpole release a smaller number of high quality books versus a large number of lesser quality books.

I bought this in Kindle format first. I thought it was poor, photos/pics were only half visible, and foot notes were all at the end of each chapter (unlike the book) which kinda made them redundant unless your memory is amazing.So, i bought the book after i got about halfway through the kindle version. I agree the paper quality is not as good as say, 'Into Oblivion' or 'Besieged' , i really didnt care as i think this is reflected in the price, and anyway i was only really concerned with what was on the pages.I find Jason Mark's writting style to be very readable and understandable. This book, for me was horrific, in terms of the brutality of the fighting in this area of Stalingrad. I doubt anyone who was not there will ever be able to truly understand the suffering, on both sides, the soldiers there endured.The maps/photos are excellent and bring it all to life. Easy 5 stars :)

Excellent book. Initially, I assumed that, as often found in the military literature about WW II, based on the sources of one side, it would be just a glorification of some against the background of others. Often in previously published books thanks to inaccessible sources of the Russian side, the plot, was based exclusively on German documents and memoirs of participants, turned into a monotonous and distorted picture, which some readers perceive as the truth, beyond any doubt. So often you can find stories about the battle, after which the Russians lost hundreds, and the Germans-supermen "some Feldwebel got a scratch”. "Barons Mjunhgauzen" never disappear. And then, as if forgetting, describe suddenly melted like snow german division, regiment or battalion. The difference in the assessment of the staffing of the German and Russian troops often was also not taken into account.With this book is not so."Island of fire" is a very balanced and striving for the truth research. Jason Mark's writing style is very easy to read and understand. Special emphasis is placed not so much on the disclosure of statistical data, but on the description of the horrific, in terms of the brutality of the fighting in the area of Stalingrad. The war is shown on both sides equally, which made it possible to make sure that the suffering of the soldiers on both sides is absolutely the same. For any war - it's not a fun walk, it's not a picture of a comic book and not a bravura Hollywood movie.The book design is wonderful, the maps / photos are great, and enliven everything. I am glad that the maps are placed in the text directly in the course of the description, which makes reading smoother and much more enjoyable. Of course, the book is worthy of 5 stars :)

Just what I needed. Simply put, an enormous wealth of information of the day to day action and those involved in this final clash. Very easy to read and understand, lots of nice fotos not always seen elsewhere as well as crisp, clear hand drawn maps. That can't be said of all military history books.Haven't read thru it front to back yet, I'll be using this book as a reference along with "An Infantryman in Stalingrad" by Adelbert Holl for his personal experiences, as well as "Angriff" by Jason Mark.Dollar for dollar a great value compared to what some publications offer costing forty something bucks.

Great book. Only annoying thing is the constant bombastic comments from almost every Russian combatant quoted in the book. I get it that the Russians were angry about losing so many men during the war but can they ever just discuss their actions without over-hyping every they did and overstating German casualties during every battle?

A great book now in KIndle format. The quality in kindle is great. I don't understand why a fellow reader says he received a printed version of very low quality. I have both versions and both are of the best quality one can find in a book. I had read almost all what have been published about this colossal battle and this book is stupendous! Stalingrad's Beevor, a very good one by the way; only describes the episode narrated in "Island of Fire" in a very superficial way. Mark's book spent more than 600 pages doing it! If you are an avid reader on this battle, this is a must.

Had read this already (borrowed) and so pleased to get my own copy with the reprint at a very good price. It is a stunning book. I was advisd to read it after taking the "Island of Fire" tour in Volgograd in February this year (stalingradtours) and was not disappointed. This is a book for those with a good grounding in the battle of Stalingrad, and it focuses specifically on the struggle for the middle of the three huge factories to the north of the city. It is a long book, but an easy read, well supported by maps (extremely well labelled) and photos. The level of research is incredible, with eye witness accounts from both sides.I have also read "Angriff" by this author which was superb, but more a photographic account of the German assault on the city with well researhced captions. This (Island of Fire) puts you right in this particular pocket of the battle with amazing detail.Can't recommend it highly enough - if you are interested in the Battle of Stalingrad then no question this should be in your library.

Greatest book ever written regardless genre, oh yes!!Only issue with reprint is it deserved high quality gloss paper like first edition.However book is mindblowing.Must say though do wish Jason had gone with say Helion as a publisher. Really don't think Stackpole have given it the quality it and his other books deserve. Jasons books always printed top quality gloss paper, with Stackpole bog standard paper. Not keen on book dimensions either. Abit to big and cumbersome. Still I can't mark the book down because of the publisher. The content remains the same. Superb.

Wow. Amazingly detailed, well written and a mine of knowledge. Perfect for anyone interested by the sad events of the period. Perfect for history studies, writing an essay on the topic and wargaming.

I had to buy this re- print, and yes, what a book !This is an essential purchase for anyone with a serious interest in Stalingrad- the content is quite chilling in places.As has been said, the paper quality is not great, but in my opinion you cannot expect top paper quality from asub £ 30 book !

Great book, prompt service