Overview

The gripping account of two momentous battles fought in the same location 129 years apart. For Russians the battle of Borodino resonates with the patriotic soul of Mother Russia. The epic confrontation in September 1812 took the French Grande Armee to the gates of Moscow and on to catastrophe during the subsequent winter. Another equally bitter battle was fought at Borodino in October 1941. This time Hitler's SS and Panzers came up against elite Soviet Siberian troops defending Stalin's Moscow. Remarkably, both battles took place in the same woods and gullies that follow the line of the Koloch River. BORODINO FIELD tells the story of the French Imperial soldier's 1812 experience of campaigning in Russia in their own words. It is juxtaposed with personal accounts, diaries and letters of SS and Panzer soldiers in 1941, drawing on previously untapped German and Russian sources. Acclaimed historian Robert Kershaw narrates the odyssey of simple soldiers, who had marched the same tracks and roads on the 1,000-kilometre route to Moscow, and reveals the fascinating parallels and contrasts between the two battles. AUTHOR: Robert Kershaw is a graduate of Reading University and joined the Parachute Regiment in 1973. After over thirty years in the army, serving in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War and Bosnia, he retired to become a full-time military history author as well as a consultant military analyst in 2006. Among his outstanding works of narrative non-fiction are Street in Arnhem and 24 Hours at Waterloo. 2 illustrations, 6 maps

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9780750995955

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Praise for Landing on the Edge of Eternity: Extraordinary and excruciating, Landing on the Edge of Eternity might be the hardcover version of Saving Private Ryan's torturous opening minutes. Hard to put down. Should be required reading for every civilian official and military officer who has a voice in ordering soldiers to go fight. Washington Times Kershaw gives a meticulously researched, gripping account of the Allies' near-defeat at Omaha Beach. Kershaw brings home the significance of the battle with suspense and uncertainty that has been glossed over in other recent accounts. Publishers Weekly (starred) A thrilling narrative of the longest day's most trying hours. Kershaw switches deftly between command and unit level on both sides, with glimpses of the destruction wrought on French civilians. A visceral account of apparent defeat, ultimate victory and how the United States Army sustained more than 2,400 casualties on a single beach in one day. Shelf Awareness A revisionist look that won't cheer America-firsters but that helps broaden our understanding of a crucial battle. Kirkus Reviews Kershaw shares stories of humanity, resilience, and dark humor; of comradeship and a gritty patriotism holding beleaguered men together in an extremely hazardous military engagement. A dramatic historical ride through an amphibious landing that looked as though it might never succeed. Midwest Book Review

Author Information

ROBERT KERSHAW is a graduate of Reading University and joined the Parachute Regiment in 1973. After more than thirty years in the army, serving in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War and Bosnia, he retired to become a full-time military historian as well as a consultant military analyst in 2006. His previous books include 24 Hours at Waterloo (2015, WH Allen), 24 Hours at the Somme (2016, WH Allen) and Landing on the Edge of Eternity (2018, Pegasus Books). 24 Hours at Balaclava is his first book for The History Press. www.robertjkershaw.com

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