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

by William R. Trotter

Overview

"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

In 1939, tiny Finland waged war-the kind of war that spawns legends-against the mighty Soviet Union, and yet their epic struggle has been largely ignored. 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 are the elements of both the Finnish victory and a gripping tale of war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565122499
Publisher:	Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Publication date:	01/01/2000
Pages:	285
Sales rank:	683,699
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.95(h) x 0.85(d)

About 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.

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

What People are Saying About This

James R. Galvin

General James R. Galvin, former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

Masterfully recreates all the heroism, tragedy and drama of a campaign whose lessons deserve far more attention.

Editorial Reviews

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 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

Library Journal