what i found and what i found surprising was that instead of becoming more aggressive, more ideologically motivated and more likely to lash out at civilians these divisions maim -- became much more conciliatory. for example the 123rd infantry division ordered the medics and doctors within the division were to help soviet civilians who had illnesses. most noteworthy they started supplying food to people in the pocket. this goes directly against what they did in '41,? russians are supposed to starve so germans can live. now this division has taken upon itself to feed people in the pocket. now, clearly it does not do this for humanitarian reasons. it does it because it understands that people who are fed respect going to be as rebellious. aren't going to be as rebel cross. and they won't have disease that

can spread to the german forces. so it's this idea of necessity. the only way we're going to win this war is if we have a pacified population behind the lines who isn't trying to link up with the red army or with partisan units to cut our throats during the night. so during this period from '42-'43, early '43 i think we see this concerted attempt by at least elements of the german army in the east to work with the soviet population. so this, i think breaks somewhat from this ideological conception of the war. i think if we look at this from that ideological perspective the idea would be as things get tougher, the the germans would become more prone to wage the war that hitler wanted. and instead what we see is that they break away from that right? they see the best way they can win the war is if they are able to mobilize the soviet civilian

population. so this was one of the very interesting things that i came up with during my the course of my research and writing the book. >> for more information on booktv's recent visit to wheeling, west virginia, and the many other cities visited by our local content vehicles, go to c-span.org/localcontent. >> here's a look at some upcoming book fairs and festivals happening around the country: >>

let us know about book fairs and festivals in your area and we'll add them to our list. e-mail us at booktv@c-span.org. >> well saturday, january 24th, is being called national read-a-thon day by a group. jynne martin is with riverhead books. ms. martin, what is national read-a-thon day? >> guest: so national read-a-thon day is a day in january, in fact, it's coming up january 24th where all across america we're inviting readers to commit to spend the afternoon reading any book that they like, and you can do it at home or in any of the many venues participating across the country which include libraries and bookstores and schools. >> host: and why are you promoting this? >> guest: well, that's a wonderful large and complicated question. but essentially, our hope is to find different ways in the coming years to really foster a culture of reading in america and remind people of what the

experience is like to sit and really dedicate a nice, long swath of time to reading. i think we hear feedback all the time that people read books less now because they feel they don't have time, or they do it in little snippets here and there. but there's a real pleasure that comes from really getting lost in the world of a book that's different than if you're, you know, checking your phone every few minutes or on the go between different venues. and we wanted people to remember what that experience was like and get a little lost again in the world of books. >> host: and so you are actually setting a time frame for this four hours, 12 noon to 4 p.m. on saturday afternoon. >> guest: that's exactly right. we agreed four hours was, um, longer than any of us normally spend reading a book but not so onerous that it would be impossible for people with kids or jobs or other things going on that there would be no way they could actually sit and do it. so four was the agreed-upon time that seemed a reasonable amount

to ask everyone to try to set aside and do. >> host: jynne martin, are there groups that are participating in this? >> guest: yeah. we have a lot of different groups, everything from book clubs to local libraries and schools. and on the read-a-thon web site, there's actually a list state by state of different venues by city that are participating. so you could go there to see if a place near you is already participating, and then you could go just join from noon to four. >> host: if somebody wants to do this at home, how can they stay in contact with the larger group? is there a -- besides the web site, is there a hashtag? >> guest: yes, absolutely. we're using the hashtag timetoread reminding people about why we make time to read, the importance of making time to read. so you can surgery time to read on -- search time to read on any of your platform, you'll already see a bunch of people talking about what it is they plan to be reading that saturday, and you can share yourself using that, what you'll be reading why you're excited photos of you

reading maybe with your cat snuggled up on your lap and participate in the larger virtual community that way. >> host: now, there is a money aspect to this as well. what is that? >> guest: there is. we, sort of similar to how people do walk a thans or run a marathon for charity, we're inviting people, it's optional but if you wanted to consider raising money for the national book foundation. the national book foundation is most famous for the national book awards that they give out every fall in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. but they also do incredible work around the country bringing everything from, you know literacy training, tutoring, home libraries, authors to speak to kids in needy communities around america communities that aren't necessarily getting diverse, rich programming in book and the national book foundation is filling that gap. so the money raised will go to help support their ongoing efforts for that program. >> host: so how do you contribute?

how does one contribute? >> guest: great question. you can find on the read-a-thon web site the link to first giving. first giving is a platform for donations that many people are probably already familiar with. it's again, similar to what's used for marathons. and you can donate any amount or set up your own fundraising page and raise funds that way. and it's under the event called national read-a-thon day, so it's easy to find on there. >> host: is there a target for how much money you want to raise? >> guest: you know, this is our first year, so we're just leaving it completely open to see what's happening. i'm thrilled there's already $15,000 raise inside the early days so i'm really pleased to see the diversity of people donating. even smaller amounts, 5, 10, $20 are going to make a big difference in overall getting us to a really nice number to give to the national book foundation. >> host: all right. who are some of the corporate sponsors behind national read-a-thon day?

>> guest: we have a great group that came together. good reads is onboard and has been talking about the read-a-thon in their newsletter and on their web site and they're going to be having a reading party in san francisco, actually, which is where their headquarters is. and then mashable which is one of the leading tech web sites and has this incredible monthly book club called the mash reads club. they are also participating and have been talking about it on their social media, and they're having a book party on realize a than day in their headquarters here in new york. so from coast to coast some nice sponsors coming on to help support it. >> host: and don't forget your own boss -- >> guest: i know right. [laughter] >> host: random house. >> guest: thank you, peter. i would be in trouble for that one. and, yes, penguin/random house, the publishing company. we've been supporting the effort as well. we have a number of our authors onboard to be reading themselves who are making these lovely videos which just started releasing yesterday, and it's writers like ken follett talking

about why books are important in their lives and why they make time to read. and they're really fun. they're also on the web site and can be found on the social media channels, again, searching for that timetoread hashtag. >> making time to read is important because -- >> if you don't make time to read, your brain will rot. >> a book can educate, it can entertain, it can enlighten. >> there's nothing like a book to make you see the world in a new way. >> if i could sum up the impact books have had on my life, i would say they saved my life. >> i have never been without a book. >> a book unlike almost everything else in our lives today, don't require a password. >> i read when i should be looking at it's. [laughter] >> it's always hard to find time to read -- >> i developed my love for reading as a boy. >> by the age of 10, i was

already reading all kinds of crazy stuff. >> don quixote ivanhoe. >> and trash too -- >> harriet the spy. how appropriate. >> a faraway look comes into a child's eyes his or her mouth drops open and you know that the child is lost in the story. >> to me, that's the ideal childhood. >> i like to pick up a book at my local neighborhood bookstore, because i like a random encounter. ..