Synopses & Reviews
On November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union's Red Army invaded the young nation-state of Finland, in the full expectation of routing the small, ill-equipped Finnish army and annexing the former Russian territory by the end of the year. But Finland held out for 105 bitterly cold, fiercely combative days, until March 15, 1940, when a peace agreement ended the short, savage Winter War. At the stirring center of the story lie the resourcefulness and resolve of the Finnish people, who against all military odds--in want of ammunition, food, sleep, and troops--fought a blundering, ineptly commanded Red Army to a standstill. On March 15, they ceded to the Soviet 11 percent of their territory and 30 percent of their economic assets, but none of their national pride. The Russians meanwhile had markedly damaged their international standing and effectively ruined their military reputation-to such an extent, as this probing chapter in World War II history demonstrates, that Germany, with proud-blooded Finland as an ally, dared to launch its 1940 invasion of Russia. At the same time, though, the fiasco of the Winter War forced Stalin to acknowledge the shortcomings of the Red Army and to reform it: Germany would fall at Stalingrad in 1941. With authority, this skillfully narrated military history unfolds its story of the four-month Soviet-Finnish war and explores its consequences from London to Moscow, from Helsinki to Paris, to Washington, DC.
Synopsis
One of the most valiant stories of World War II--the heroic Finnish stance against the Red Army.
When Russian invaded Finland in November 1939, the international community reacted with a combination of shock and outrage. But while the rest of the world dithered, Finland was left alone to face the full might of the Soviet Army.
The results of the conflict seemed a foregone conclusion. The Soviet Army was reputed to be the best in the world, and the Finns were outnumbered almost four to one. To everyone's surprise, however, they pushed back against the Russians and became an international cause celebre, For 105 days, it looked as if they just might achieve the impossible and keep the huge Soviet Army at bay.
In his new interpretation of this little-understood war, Robert Edward's describes one of the most doomed but valiant defenses since Thermopylae. Despite eventual defeat, the geopolitical consequences were far reaching, as Nazi Germany watched the Soviet embarrassment from the sidelines.
Synopsis
At the stirring center of the story lie the resourcefulness and resolve of the Finnish people, who against all military odds in want of ammunition, food, sleep, and troops fought a blundering, ineptly commanded Red Army to a standstill. On March 15, they ceded to the Soviet 11 percent of their territory and 30 percent of their economic assets, but none of their national pride The Russians meanwhile had markedly damaged their international standing and effectively ruined their military reputation-to such an extent, as this probing chapter in World War II history demonstrates, that Germany, with proud-blooded Finland as an ally, dared to launch its 1940 invasion of Russia. At the same time, though, the fiasco of the Winter War forced Stalin to acknowledge the shortcomings of the Red Army and to reform it: Germany would fall at Stalingrad in 1941 With authority, this skillfully narrated military history unfolds its story of the four-month Soviet-Finnish war and explores its consequences from London to Moscow, from Helsinki to Paris, to Washington, DC. "
Synopsis
When Russia invaded Finland in November 1939, the international community reacted with shock and outrage, and yet did not come to their aid. The results of the invasion seemed to be a forgone conclusion, as the Soviet army was reputed to be one of the best in the world, with nearly complete air supremacy, and the Finns were outnumbered four to one. But the Finns did not collapse under Soviet pressure, and their doomed but valiant defense is only dwarfed by the events at Thermopylae. Edwards also addresses the geopolitical consequences of the Russian embarrassment'"most notably, the change in German opinion of the capabilities of the Red Army, which would lead to Operation Barbarossa two years later.
Synopsis
"Edwards recounts events, both shameful and heroic, with insight, conviction and considerable wit."--
About the Author
Robert Edwards spent twenty years as a Wall Street analyst and trader before turning to writing. He is a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph.