The retelling of the true story of the staunch resistance of a small squad of Red Army troops against a series of German attacks on one building in the midst of the battle of Stalingrad.

The story itself is astonishing. The small band held off wave after wave of German assaults on the building - including tanks - while harbouring civilians in the basement.

Burgess's story draws on previous tales of the wider battle to create the chaotic scene of Stalingrad and ultimately the siege itself. Battle scenes are described in considerable detail as the German forces become increasingly desperate to retake the building. The carnage and senseless loss of life are forcefully brought to the reader as the body count rises with every page turn.

The desperation of the Russian struggle, and the "not one step back" doctrine under which the troops were fighting is evident in the characterisations of Pavlov and his men.

There is some romanticism and poetic licence - the Russian aim seems unerring while the efforts of the Wehrmacht troops are portrayed as hapless, and I would have liked more of the human story - what was it truly like for these men?

That said, those interested in the story of Stalingrad and in war fiction will enjoy. ( )