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

( 4 )

Overview

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 ...

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

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Overview

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.

William R. Trotter was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and educated at Davidson College, where he earned a B.A. in European History. He has worked as a regional music critic, a book reviewer, and a freelance historian and feature writer.

Trotter has published twelve books as well as many articles--in The Independent (North Carolina), Spectator Magazine, the American Record Magazine, Film Culture, Military History Monthly, and dozens of other magazines. Since 1987, he has been a senior writer for PC Gamer Magazine.

In 1995, Trotter won the Finlandia Foundation's Arts and Letters Prize for A Frozen Hell, and the book is required reading for the 2nd Marine Division. In addition, his biography of Mitropoulos, Priest of Music: The Life and Times of Dimitri Mitropoulos, was selected as one of the "ten best 'arts' books of the year" by National Public Radio, and one of his novellas has been nominated for a Bram Stoker Award.

William Trotter lives with his wife and their youngest son in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Editorial Reviews

The Virginian-Pilot
Trotter's account is the best one yet of this unique war.
The Washington Times
Mr. Trotter tells brilliantly a piece of history that needed telling.
Library Journal
This history is a well-balanced blend of narrative and analysis. Trotter's overt sympathy for the justice of Finland's cause does not blind him to the justified fear of Nazi Germany that led Russia to demand a buffer zone in front of Leningrad. Similarly, Trotter's admiration for the Finnish army's fighting power does not prevent him from presenting its limitations as well as achievements. Finland's soldiers suffered from fatigue and panic. Their officers were not always competent. Even their victories were incomplete; Russians tied down Finnish troops needed elsewhere. Yet Finland's gallant fight proved decisive in maintaining its independence. In 1940 and again in 1944, Russia chose negotiations over conquest. A Frozen Hell successfully updates Allen Chew's The White Death ( LJ 4/1/72) and belongs in all collections on World War II and modern Scandinavia.-- Dennis E. Showalter, Colorado Coll., Colorado Springs
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781565122499
  • Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
  • Publication date: 1/28/2000
  • Pages: 285
  • Sales rank: 643,584
  • Product dimensions: 6.00 (w) x 9.00 (h) x 0.94 (d)

Meet the Author

William R. Trotter was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and educated at Davidson College, where he earned a B.A. in European History. He has worked as a regional music critic, a book reviewer, and a freelance historian and feature writer. Trotter has published twelve books as well as many articles--in The Independent (North Carolina), Spectator Magazine, the American Record Magazine, Film Culture, Military History Monthly, and dozens of other magazines. Since 1987, he has been a senior writer for PC Gamer Magazine. In 1995, Trotter won the Finlandia Foundation's Arts and Letters Prize for A Frozen Hell, and the book is required reading for the 2nd Marine Division. In addition, his biography of Mitropoulos, Priest of Music: The Life and Times of Dimitri Mitropoulos, was selected as one of the "ten best 'arts' books of the year" by National Public Radio, and one of his novellas has been nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. William Trotter lives with his wife and their youngest son in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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Table of Contents

Illustrations
Maps
Acknowledgments
Author's Note

PART I. Onslaught and Riposte
1. The Reasons Why
2. The Baron
3. Order of Battle
4. First Blows
5. "The People's Republic of Finland"
6. The Mannerheim Line
7. The Karelian Isthmus: Round One
8. "A Stupid Butting of Heads"

PART II. Uncommon Valor: Battles in the Fourth Corps Zone
9. Tolvajarvi: The First Victory
10. The Kollaa Front: They Shall Not Pass!
11. The Mottis of General Hagglund

PART III. The White Death
12. The Winter Soldiers
13. Suomussalmi: A Military Classic
14. Mr. Mydans Visits the Kemi River

PART IV. The January Lull
15. The Air War
16. The Outside World Responds
17. The Russians Get Serious

PART V. The Storm
18. Tidal Wave
19. Breakthrough!
20. Dance of the Diplomats: Round One
21. Fighting for Time
22. Dance of the Diplomats: Round Two
23. Time Runs Out
24. Aftershocks

Chronology
Notes on the Sources
Index
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 4 )
Rating Distribution

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(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews
  • Anonymous

    Posted February 9, 2009

    Russo-Finnish war

    This book explains much about a sideshow war that took place between the invasion of Poland and the invasion of France. It is interesting to consider the what ifs. What if Britain and France had aided the Finns against the Russians how would that have affected the later cooperation of the Allies? What if Finland had attacked St. Petersburg to aid the Germans. Would Russia have surrendered to the Germans? It is an interesting book with thought provoking information.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted July 29, 2001

    An incredible telling of a forgotten war

    An incredible story of Finnish 'Sisu' (guts) against overwhelming odds. I found this book particularly compelling. A must read for any student of WW2 history!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 25, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    World War II was a global war so don't forget Finland's story

    Who wouldn't want to help small Finland against the big bully Russia in 1939? Many people wanted to help but for one reason or another (politics, geography, isolationism...) not much help was received and much of it too late.
    This story tells of how small outnumbered Finland, although they were not able to keep all their land, they were, unlike most nations in conflict in World War II, able to maintain their freedom.
    This story is a good example of what odds you can overcome when your freedom is at stake. You don't always win but, the fight is often heroic and inspiring and this story certainly is. Score one for the good guys!
    Two Thumbs up.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 11, 2013

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

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