June 1941: Hitler and Stalin
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Overview
This brilliant new work by the author of the best-selling Five Days in London, May 1940 is an unparalleled drama of two great leaders confronting each other in June 1941. It describes Hitler and Stalin’s strange, calculating, and miscalculating relationship before the German invasion of Soviet Russia, with its gigantic (and unintended) consequences. John Lukacs questions many long-held beliefs; he suggests, for example, that among other things Hitler’s first purpose involved England: if Stalin’s Communist Russia were to be defeated, Hitler’s Third Reich would be well-nigh invincible, and the British and American peoples would be forced to rethink the war against Hitler. The book offers penetrating insights and a new portrait of Hitler and Stalin, moved by their long-lasting inclinations. Yet among other things, Lukacs presents evidence that Hitler (rather than his generals) had moments of dark foreboding before the invasion. Stalin could not, because he wished not, believe that Hitler would choose the risk of a two-front war by attacking him; he was stunned and shocked and came close to a breakdown. But he recovered, grew into a statesman, and eventually became a prime victor of the Second World War. Such are the ironies of history; John Lukacs paints them with a shining narrative skill.Synopsis
This brilliant new work by the author of the best-selling Five Days in London, May 1940 is an unparalleled drama of two great leaders confronting each other in June 1941. It describes Hitler and Stalin’s strange, calculating, and miscalculating relationship before the German invasion of Soviet Russia, with its gigantic (and unintended) consequences. John Lukacs questions many long-held beliefs; he suggests, for example, that among other things Hitler’s first purpose involved England: if Stalin’s Communist Russia were to be defeated, Hitler’s Third Reich would be well-nigh invincible, and the British and American peoples would be forced to rethink the war against Hitler.
The book offers penetrating insights and a new portrait of Hitler and Stalin, moved by their long-lasting inclinations. Yet among other things, Lukacs presents evidence that Hitler (rather than his generals) had moments of dark foreboding before the invasion. Stalin could not, because he wished not, believe that Hitler would choose the risk of a two-front war by attacking him; he was stunned and shocked and came close to a breakdown. But he recovered, grew into a statesman, and eventually became a prime victor of the Second World War. Such are the ironies of history; John Lukacs paints them with a shining narrative skill.
Library Journal
Lukacs, a prolific writer whose best seller, Five Days in London, May 1940, received additional attention after Rudy Giuliani famously turned to it for inspiration after 9/11, has attempted to debunk several myths and perceptions concerning Hitler and Stalin on the eve of Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. Among the inaccuracies that Lukacs points to is that Hitler's generals had dark forebodings about invading Russia; Lukacs's evidence suggests that it was Hitler himself who was deeply apprehensive. Lukacs also rejects the notion that Hitler invaded the Soviet Union out of hatred for Stalin, finding that Hitler respected Stalin and invaded so that the resulting enlarged Third Reich would be a force to defeat England, led by Churchill, whom Hitler indeed loathed. The writing is somewhat quirky. Lukacs uses the first chapter to impart elementary history with some rather tortured sentence structures, which may now be part of the author's mystique. His short volume is an interesting read that imparts little new to our knowledge of World War II. It is, however, a thought-provoking missive that deserves a look. Recommended for public libraries.-Harry Willems, Southeast Kansas Lib. Syst., Iola Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Library Journal
Lukacs, a prolific writer whose best seller, Five Days in London, May 1940, received additional attention after Rudy Giuliani famously turned to it for inspiration after 9/11, has attempted to debunk several myths and perceptions concerning Hitler and Stalin on the eve of Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. Among the inaccuracies that Lukacs points to is that Hitler's generals had dark forebodings about invading Russia; Lukacs's evidence suggests that it was Hitler himself who was deeply apprehensive. Lukacs also rejects the notion that Hitler invaded the Soviet Union out of hatred for Stalin, finding that Hitler respected Stalin and invaded so that the resulting enlarged Third Reich would be a force to defeat England, led by Churchill, whom Hitler indeed loathed. The writing is somewhat quirky. Lukacs uses the first chapter to impart elementary history with some rather tortured sentence structures, which may now be part of the author's mystique. His short volume is an interesting read that imparts little new to our knowledge of World War II. It is, however, a thought-provoking missive that deserves a look. Recommended for public libraries.-Harry Willems, Southeast Kansas Lib. Syst., Iola Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Atlantic Monthly
"[Lukacs] watches as two specific people make very specific decisions that will shape the rest of the twentieth century."—Benjamin Healy and Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly— Benjamin Healy and Benjamin Schwarz
Los Angeles Times
“Lukacs’ project is to restore the characters … of individual leaders to a central role in a historical narrative …. Urgently engrossing”—Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times— Tim Rutten
The Historian
"A good introduction. . . . Lukacs captures the drama leading up to the German invasion."—Charters Wynn, The Historian
— Charters Wynn