Feldgrau.net

Place holder for discussions specifically related to forum member Jason Mark and his various published works.

Jason's list of published books include the following titles that are very widely regarded as some of the best works ever written on the topic of Stalingrad.

Death of the Leaping Horseman

Island of Fire: The Battle for the Barrikady Gun Factory in Stalingrad

Not only a great author, but a great guy too!

-Mansal

He's a really good guy, and easy to work with, too!

The level of detail in his books continues to amaze me. By the time you're done, there is a feeling of intimacy with the guys in the trenches, on both sides. He has done an amazing job at allowing us to identify with the individual holding the rifle, rather than just the masses of Feldgrau and brown moving about the field.

I agree with all those comments. A great guy and a great researcher.

Jason is one of four researchers/authors (ie: Mark Yerger, Hugh Page Taylor & Marc Rikmenspoel) whereby as soon as I hear/read they are bringing out a new book I'll put in a pre-order to buy it as soon as possible. You'll always get more than whatever you pay for.

Anything new coming out Jason ??

Regards,
Peter
Melbourne, Australia

Perhaps the author´s name should be spelled right? I.e. Mark, not Marks.

Corrected.

I enjoyed "Horsemen" very much, having got one of the first HB editions. I never undertood why more detailed Army divisional histories aren't done with all the war diaries available.

Mark

I can only echo the above. Jason's a "top bloke" as we Brits say, really helpful, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Wehrmacht. Island of Fire is for me the greatest single book about the Eastern Front, just (but only just) ahead of Hell's Gate and War Without Garlands.

I have to admit I don't yet own a copy of either of Jason's books but I have consistently heard nothing but outstanding reviews and comments regarding both. I don't think I've seen a single negative review anywhere.

I also tend to agree with Mark in that it'd be great if more unit histories of the size and scope of Jason's work on the 24th were published on other Heer units. I'm still plugging away on my history of the 5th Mountain Division but it will be sometime before it's ready for publication.

Only repeating what all have said. I have a couple of Jason's books and they are great. Well researched and well written.

Has anyone heard from Jason recently? He has been active on the forums for a while and he's not updated his website in ages

I know he did a trip to Russia to Volgograd (Stalingrad) but that was last Fall. Maybe he is working on his new book?

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the nice comments, both professional and personal. Apologies for the long silence... there's quite a bit happening at the moment. There's a few new book projects on the boil, two of which will appear this year. One is a translation of a Russian book, and the other is a photo volume about Stalingrad. I'm particularly excited about the latter, which I have been working on for well over a year. I've been gathering Stalingrad photos from many sources, but mostly from private collections. Never before has the Stalingrad battle been seen like this. Just imagine RZM's "God, Honor, Fatherland"... but about Stalingrad!

I'm also researching another book, which I expect to complete early 2009. I don't want to say much more except to say that it will follow (in great detail) one battalion, from its formation and blooding on the Ostfront to its destruction at Stalingrad. I've got loads of amazing material and photos for it.

Richard, I've been very slack updating my website but will do so in the next week. Unfortunately, being a one-man band means I have to prioritise.

For all of you in the US, I just want to let you know that I've got a table at this year's "Show of Shows" in Louisville, KY (21-24 February 2008). My table will be listed under "Tim Curley", so if you're there, look me up!

It's true, I was in Volgograd last August as part of a tour based on my books. We had a great time. We even got inside the infamous Grain Elevator for a Soviet-defender's perspective. Let me tell you, all 15 of us were grinning like idiots!

OK, I won't bore you any longer. Just want to thank you all for the support, and for buying my books.

All the best,
Jason

Thanks for the update, J, I am sure I am not the only one looking forward to anything new from you. This photo book certainly sounds exciting !

Hi, I met Jason at NARA week before last for the first time while he was conducting a recon for his latest projects. I can recommend him as a good guy in the research world. It was great to speak with someone who is knowledgeable and successful but not arrogant about it. I wish him a lot more success in the future since that also means some good reading for the rest of us!