The Mannerheim Line 1920-39: Finnish Fortifications of the Winter War

A fascinating study of some of the most famous fortifications of the 20th century and of how their military and political implications shaped the face of northern Europe.

In the wake of the bloody civil war that followed Finland's independence from Russia in 1917, the border between the two countries was established across the Karelian Isthmus, an area long fought over by Russia, Finland and Sweden in their attempts to dominate the northern tip of Europe.

As the Winter War broke out in Novemb...