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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.
Anonymous
Posted February 9, 2009
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 NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 29, 2001
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.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.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.
Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
For all the epic resistance of the Finns, the outcome was foreordained. Belatedly the Russians realized that an expected easy triumph over a ...