World War II: Behind Closed Doors - Stalin, the Nazis and the West
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Manufacturer: BBC Books Written By: Laurence Rees
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Binding: Hardcover EAN: 9780563493358 ISBN: 0563493356 Label: BBC Books Manufacturer: BBC Books Number Of Pages: 448 Publication Date: 2008-10-16 Publisher: BBC Books Studio: BBC Books
Customer Rating: Summary: Details about the 2nd WW that have never been told in full before Comment: A surprisingly readable book, including previously unseen photographs. The reason for me reading this book and the most interesting details for me are those concerning the little known alliance between Stalin and Hitler prior to and at the beginning of the war and the relationship between the 3 elderly men who decided on the grossly unfair divisions following the war at the summit at Yalta .
I was surprised when reading some of the early chapters that the scandalous invasion of Poland from the Soviet side was more or less allowed to happen and despite the heartfelt pleas from the Polish ambassador the mass killing and deportation of civilians was permitted to go on freely. 'We have no quarrel with the Soviets' the British Government said whilst murder was blatantly being perpetrated. Behind the scenes though,a tit for tat conspiracy was being carried out between Hitler and Stalin which left the unfortunate Poles compromised completely. Despite the huge Polish loss of life and their heroic fight for freedom they were betrayed by what they thought were their allies. I found the 4000 brave Polish men killed at Montecasino particularly moving, when you realise they were sacrificed and unappreciated for their efforts.
A complex political situation continued right through until the end of the war when it seems that Stalin had to be compensated for losing 27 million troops (27 million compared with only 400 000 each for UK and US) Not that the mad and vindictive Stalin cared for his people, he happily murdered or transported millions for a whim. Additionally Russia was by the end of the war occupying much of Eastern Europe, too bad for those millions and millions of tragic people who had to suffer another 50 years of dictatorial communist rule! Churchill and Roosavelt do not come out of this that well though their positions were completely untenable, they more or less had no option but to agree with the psycopathic Stalin who had helped them out.
Watching the BBC production alongside reading the book adds to the interest and in particular I was pretty horrified at Churchill and Roosevelt quaffing champagne in the relative peace of Canada whilst Europe was almost completely flattened. Also seeing how duped Roosevelt was to take advice from what turned out to be a Soviet spy. Politicians!!!
I was however quite impressed by President De Gaulle who refused to recognise the puppet government of Poland at the end of the war and even the ever devious Stalin respected De Gaulles
suspicions. Stalin noted the French leaders insight, but told the interpreter at the meeting that he would be sent to Siberia for knowing too much!
There is lots to interest in this new book with some fantastic details, first hand witness reports and new information that makes this book a really good historical read. Well worth the price at Amazon in particular.
