The pictures in this book, dealing with the most terrible war in history of mankind, have cleary been chosen with an expert eye.
Seen from a narrow, technical point of view Paul Carell's collection is downright magnificent. Every single photo connects, makes you part of the scene. A function strongly emphasized by Carell's accompanying expert comments.
However, Paul Carell's way of selecting should not be overlooked here. Even stronger, it is subject of severe criticism:
1 His book was primairily issued for German buyers, and provides a strong accent on the comradeship between the German soldiers fighting in Russia from 1941-'45.
2 My copy from 'Unternehmen Barbarossa im Bild' dates from 1967, a period when ancient 'OstfrontkA mpfer' (= Eastern front fighters) came to reflect on their memorable war-past.
3 Consequently this collection mainly shows the German war effort in a pretty enjoyable way, greatly underrating the criminal conduct by the same German soldiers towards the Russian civil population. As well as the severe persecution of Jews in the German-occupied part of the Soviet Union.
4 Don't believe the story that atrocities, genocide and war crimes towards these defenseless Russians were an exclusive affair for Hitler-fanatics. History has proven abundantly that lots of common Wehrmacht (= regular army) soldiers were involved, too. They are the grandfathers of every common German you can meet nowadays.
5 Carell strongly emphasizes on front life for the common soldier, Russian or German. Senior commanders are pictured through their eyes. In a true German style these high-ranking officers come out like icons, enjoying sincere admiration for their military skills. Right up to Hitler himself. Criticism on their conduct of the war is ommitted - though the gravest and most irresponsable military mistakes were made on their level.
6 In fairness to Carell, one finally should consider that German photo-sources on this 1941-'45 war are much richer than the Russian ones.
My final conclusion: the excellent quality of Carell's photos tends to color this war favorably. In particular to the Germans, who behaved worst.
Thus 'Unternehmen Barbarossa im Bild' basicly provides a strongy false historical view. For this I grant one star, for this war was too terrible, criminal, murderous and devastating to justify Paul Carell's way of showing.
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Operation Barbarossa in Photographs: The War in Russia As Photographed by the Soldiers (Schiffer Military History) Books In Print, Audio Books.