This is an outstanding exploration of the condition of the Soviet Army at the outbreak of Operation Barbarossa.  David Glantz is one of the premier historians of the Soviets in WW II and this book just adds to his considerable body of work on the Red Army.He explains in details the outcome of the Purges of the 30's and their effect on Red Army training and readiness.  He also goes into almost excruciating detail on the pitiful state and level of Soviet equipment.  He details how Soviet industry proved itself incapable of supplying the material needs of the army prior to and during the first months of the German invasion and why many units went into battle without even having rifles.This is an excellent if sometimes slow read.  I would recommend it to anyone who hopes to understand how the Germans got as far as they did in 1941.