A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940 - Hardcover

Trotter, William R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 094557522X ISBN 13: 9780945575221

Publisher: Algonquin Books, 1991

Synopsis

Provides historical information on the march into Finland in November of 1940 to proclaim Finnish independence

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Masterfully recreates all the heroism, tragedy and drama of a campaign whose lessons deserve far more attention. --General James R. Galvin, former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

"Mr. Trotter tells brilliantly a piece of history that needed telling." --The Washington Times

"Trotter's account is the best one yet of this unique war." --The Virginian-Pilot

This is a book of battles--savagely fought, often with great heroism on both sides, under brutal, subarctic conditions. Guerrillas on skis, heroic single-handed attacks on tanks, unfathomable endurance, and the charismatic leadership of one of this century's true military geniuses--these were the elements of Finland's short-lived victory.

For all the epic resistance of the Finns, the outcome was foreordained. Belatedly the Russians realized that an expected easy triumph over a vastly outnumbered foe had become a slaughterhouse. Incompetent commanders were replaced, more and better troops were moved into position, and orders were given to overwhelm and crush the Finns by the sheer weight of massed numbers. But even though they lost on the battlefield, the Finns's pointed resistance kept the Iron Curtain from drawing closed around their land and allowed Finland to remain free, even as other countries fell one by one.

Trotter's love for the Finns, his clear, evocative prose, and his deep knowledge of his subject combine to resurrect a fight that will never again be forgotten.

About the Author:

William R. Trotter has worked as a regional music critic, a book reviewer, and a freelance historian and feature writer. He is the award-winning author of more than ten books, including Priest of Music, which was selected as one of the "ten best 'arts' books of the year" by National Public Radio.

About this edition

• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 094557522X
• ISBN 13: 9780945575221
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 283