The book is called "Island of Fire: The Battle for the Barrikady Gun Factory in Stalingrad". More than 3 years was required to research and write this book. It initially started as a history of the 'final' German attack in Stalingrad on 11 November 1942 (the infamous offensive that involved 7 pioneer battalions and is mistakenly called 'Operation Hubertus'). It is now a quasi unit history that covers both the German 305. Infanterie-Division and Soviet 138th Rifle Division and their grim struggle in the Barrikady Gun Factory from October 1942 until the final days in February 1943. The book explores various topics (such as the pioneers, Soviet blocking detachments, the Sturminfanteriegeschütz 33B, etc.) but bases all events around the desperate struggle for 'Lyudnikov's Island', also known as the 'Island of Fire', a small Soviet bridgehead east of the Barrikady. In particular, the savage fighting for well-known building like the Kommissarhaus (Commissar's House) and the Apotheke (Chemist's Shop) is covered in minute detail. The book has 656 pages, over 250 photos, 110 maps and aerial photos, plus 8 appendices. It is available in hardcover and softcover, and there will also be a signed/numbered hardcover edition. If you want to know more, check out my website: http://www.leapinghorseman.com/index_iof2.html The book is not yet available for purchase but you can register your interest by following the links. Release date will be 4th December 2006. In an effort to get the book to customers before Christmas, I will be offering a pre-Christmas special: Air Mail for the price of Surface Mail. This offer will be valid from 4 December (day of the book's release) until 15 December. Prices will be as follows:
Signed/numbered hardcover: AUD $110 (approx. USD $85.00)
Hardcover: AUD $100 (approx. USD $78.00)
Softcover: AUD $80.00 (approx. USD $62.00)
Russ
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