Notes of a Russian Sniper

'As a sniper, I've killed more than a few Nazis. I have a passion for observing enemy behaviour. You watch a Nazi officer come out of a bunker, acting all high and mighty, ordering his soldiers every which way, and putting on an air of authority. His henchmen would follow his will, his wishes, and his caprices, to the letter. The officier hasn't got the slightest idea that he only has seconds to live.'
VASSILI ZAITSEV

When Vassili Zaitsev arrived in Stalingrad in October 1942 the average life expectency of a Red Army soldier was only twentyfour hours. This figure improved gradually during the battle, partly due to the success of a determined group of snipers, the greatest of whom was Zaitsev. He was also one of the lucky ones - he fought at Stalingrad and lived to tell his tale.

Zaitsev provides an outstanding account of the true savagery of the fighting - the terrifying brutality and desperation of the soldiers on both sides and the horrific scale of the dead and wounded. Notes of a Russian Sniper is considered the best account from a soldier who fought in the battle and is a classic of war literature.

VASSILI ZAITSEV was born in 1915. Having spent his early life as a hunter in the Urals, he enlisted in the Russian Navy in 1937. After he volunteerd to serve at Stalingrad, Zaitsev's mastery as a sniper became legendary and he was decorated several times for his skill, including receiving the coveted Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union. He died in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1991.