June 1941: Hitler and Stalin

Description

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. Contents Limitations Acknowledgments Chapter One. A Historical Perspective Part I. Hitler and Stalin Chapter Two. Hitler Chapter Three. Stalin Part II. The Twenty-Second of June Chapter Four. Berlin Chapter Five. Moscow Chapter Six. London Chapter Seven. Washington–and Across the World Part III. Unintended Consequences Chapter Eight. The Immediate Crisis Chapter Nine. Unintended Consequences Appendix. The Mystery of Hitler’s ‘‘Letter’’ and the Courier Plane Documents, Books, and Articles Consulted Index