Book about Fall of Berlin or occupation?

[Kelly H.]

Watching Der Untergang (The Downfall) this weekend really peaked my interest into the final days of Berlin. Do any forum members have any recommendation on books written from the German or Russian perspective regarding Russian occupation and the fall of Berlin? As much as I’ve concentrated on battles throughout the war I know little about the fall of Berlin or post-war Berlin occupation.

thanks,

[paddywhack]

the last battle corneleus(???) ryan done from all sides of the battle ie german and russian soldiers and german civilians living in the city!and then the berlin bunker by james p odonnell though this is fairly similer(?) to downfall! still good though!

[Waffen-Mike]

Hello Kelly H


Welcome to the forum! As for your question regarding books and the fall of Berlin, I would suggest "Inside Hitler's Bunker" by Joachim Fest. Although it is not a count by count analysis of the battle of Berlin it is, in part, what the movie "Downfall" was derived from (as well as from the memory of Gertraud Junge, one of Hitler's secretaries). The book is a fast read and is generally very informative.

Best Regards
Mike

[JaimeH]

"The Fall of Berlin - 1945" by Anthony Beevor is good.

[behblc]

Berlin.

Anthony Beevor's "Berlin". I have this but as yet have not managed to make time to read it. ( Must try to ).

Berlin "Then and Now" by Tony Le Tissier ( After The Battle) is excellent although its coverage is not entirely on the final battle for Berlin like all ATB products its a quality work. (It also has coverage of post war Berlin)

He also had a book "The Battle for Berlin" ( Jonathon Cape Ltd. 1988 ISBN 0 224 02528) which is good .

I am presently reading Jocahim Fest's " Inside Hitler's Bunker" ( MacMillan).
An older but very readbable book on the subject of Berlin / Hitler's last days is "The Bunker" by James P.O'Donell.

[Kelly H.]

Thanks all! I've read the reviews of the Beevor book at amazon and it looks to be what I'm looking for. I'm going to research the other titles as well, (Feist, Cornelius). Thanks again.

[Chris P.]

Books

Hi Kelly

Two books I would certainly recommend:
1) The Bunker -History of the Reich Chancellery Group, (399 pages, ISBN:0395257190) by Chris O'Donnel. (If you liked Der Untergang - This is your book!)
2) Berlin 1945: Die Zeit Vom 16. April bis 2. Mai, (677 pages (Revised ed.), German Lang.) ISBN:3-00-002119-1 / 3000021191) by Wolfgang Venghaus. (Tons of Eyewitness accounts. My favorite!)

The other books mentioned above, are definately also worth reading.

Christian

[BrianK]

Fall of Berlin - new suggestions?

Any new books or picks for the "Fall of
Berlin"?

[hucks216]

Any new books or picks for the "Fall of
Berlin"?

Bloody Streets: The Soviet Assault On Berlin, April 1945
and covering the lead-up to the battle, also The Oder Front 1945 both by Stephan Hamilton.

[Greg Domian]

I would suggest "With our backs to Berlin" by Tony Le Tissier. This book tells 10 first hand accounts from officers and men of the German army and the SS as they fought thru the streets and surrounding neighborhoods of Berlin in the final days of the Reich. Real good book. 208 pages with maps and photos.

Greg