David Robbin's novel, "War of the Rats."

**4V50 Gary** · July 24, 2000, 01:20 AM

It's about once in four years that I'll read a fiction and a relative passed the book onto me. I skimmed through the first chapter and was hooked.

Robbin's "War of the Rats" (Rattenkrieg) is based on the famous sniper duel between Vasily Zaitsev and Konig (or Thorvald as he is known) in Battle of Stalingrad. Robbins did quite a bit of historical research prior to writing and his knowledge of sniping and of the battle itself is evident. While we all know who won that duel, Robbins carefully weaves his story around the two opponents and builds a credible account of the battle.

There were some inaccuracies (like shooting a sniper through his scope ala Hathcock when the other fellow wasn't even looking at him), for the most part, one can learn from it. I won't give away any more of the story, but highly recommend it for light reading when you're especially tired of reading about ballistics and bullet casting.

My paperback copy was published by Bantam books.

TMoney · July 24, 2000, 02:48 AM

Just picked it up this evening, and I've finished the 2nd chapter. It looks like a good read.

Johnny Got His Gun.1 · July 24, 2000, 12:38 PM

Read it a few weeks ago and loved it!

I thought the narrative on troop movements and the misery of day-to-day life in "Fortress Stalingrad" was engaging because of the history behind it and the attention to detail that Robbins provided. A good example of why you should never pursue an army in a city.

The training methods of Zaitsev, i.e. the basement, were interesting given the conditions under which he had to train snipers. Thorvald was the epitome of German arrogrance, Aryan superiority.

Quick read, too.

William R. Wilburn · July 24, 2000, 12:57 PM

Finished the book a couple of days ago.

I am irritated when an author can't do simple research on something as simple as the effect of down/up angles on aiming and and point of impact. He had the snipers "adding an eigth" to the distance to compensate for shooting at downward angles.

Why can't authors study basic riflemanship before writing a book so centered around rifles?

Also, I thought more could have been made about the extreme hunger and cold faced by the Stalingrad defenders. The defense of Stalingrad was indeed "the hinge of fate" for WW2 in ETO.

William

tlhelmer · July 24, 2000, 01:55 PM

I loved it too. Recommended it to a friend.

PTGDVC · July 24, 2000, 08:44 PM

Good read bump!

------------------
BOYCOTT SLICK & WESSON

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."
Confucius

Nukem · July 24, 2000, 08:59 PM

I read it last week. All in all it was pretty good.

July 24, 2000, 01:20 AM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	It's about once in four years that I'll read a fiction and a relative passed the book onto me. I skimmed through the first chapter and was hooked. Robbin's "War of the Rats" (Rattenkrieg) is based on the famous sniper duel between Vasily Zaitsev and Konig (or Thorvald as he is known) in Battle of Stalingrad. Robbins did quite a bit of historical research prior to writing and his knowledge of sniping and of the battle itself is evident. While we all know who won that duel, Robbins carefully weaves his story around the two opponents and builds a credible account of the battle. There were some inaccuracies (like shooting a sniper through his scope ala Hathcock when the other fellow wasn't even looking at him), for the most part, one can learn from it. I won't give away any more of the story, but highly recommend it for light reading when you're especially tired of reading about ballistics and bullet casting. My paperback copy was published by Bantam books.

July 24, 2000, 02:48 AM	#2
TMoney Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 1999 Location: Dallas Posts: 617	Just picked it up this evening, and I've finished the 2nd chapter. It looks like a good read.

July 24, 2000, 12:38 PM	#3
Johnny Got His Gun.1 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Patterson, GA Posts: 264	Read it a few weeks ago and loved it! I thought the narrative on troop movements and the misery of day-to-day life in "Fortress Stalingrad" was engaging because of the history behind it and the attention to detail that Robbins provided. A good example of why you should never pursue an army in a city. The training methods of Zaitsev, i.e. the basement, were interesting given the conditions under which he had to train snipers. Thorvald was the epitome of German arrogrance, Aryan superiority. Quick read, too.

July 24, 2000, 12:57 PM	#4
William R. Wilburn Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2000 Posts: 192	Finished the book a couple of days ago. I am irritated when an author can't do simple research on something as simple as the effect of down/up angles on aiming and and point of impact. He had the snipers "adding an eigth" to the distance to compensate for shooting at downward angles. Why can't authors study basic riflemanship before writing a book so centered around rifles? Also, I thought more could have been made about the extreme hunger and cold faced by the Stalingrad defenders. The defense of Stalingrad was indeed "the hinge of fate" for WW2 in ETO. William

July 24, 2000, 01:55 PM	#5
tlhelmer Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 628	I loved it too. Recommended it to a friend.

July 24, 2000, 08:44 PM	#6
PTGDVC Member Join Date: February 17, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 95	Good read bump! ------------------ BOYCOTT SLICK & WESSON "To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it." Confucius

July 24, 2000, 08:59 PM	#7
Nukem Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 709	I read it last week. All in all it was pretty good.