White Eagle, Red Star: The Polish-Soviet War, 1919-20
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'Norman Davies's book is a permanent contribution to historical knowledge and international understanding.' A.J.P. Taylor
Book Description
'Norman Davies's book is a permanent contribution to historical knowledge and international understanding.' A. J. P. Taylor
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first found out about the Battle of Warsaw when reading JFC Fuller's brilliant "The Conduct of War: 1769-1961" over 15 years ago. Fuller referred to the battle as being one of the decisive battles of the Western World and how the Poles stopped the Red Army invading western Europe.
I had been intrigued ever since, and found out more when I read Norman Davies' book. He describes in detail how the war started from a series of border skirmishes and escalated into a full-scale conflagration, with the Poles invading the Ukraine, then the Russians invading Poland in return; before being routed on the Vistula.
Davies also discusses the aftermath of the war and how the Poles success in 1920 was ultimately to contribute to their disaster of 1939.
The unusual nature of the war - it was the last European war in which cavalry played a dominant role - is also well described.
For those interested in this forgotten but highly important piece of history, this book is definately recommended.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book, written in 1972, is the definitive history of the background and events of the Polish-Soviet Russian War of 1919-20. The book gives a good review of the build-up to hostilities, and in particular the thinking in the camps of the main protagonists Lenin and Marshal Pilsudski of Poland, that led first to the attack upon the Ukraine by Poland and then the subsequent invasion of Poland by the Soviet Armies. Lenin nurtured dreams of inciting a communist revolution in proletarian Germany whilst the newly re-formed Polish nation had dreams of a group of sympathetic independent non-Bolshevik states being re-created in the Borders region of Byelorussia and the Ukraine. Davies deals well with the incompetent and ignorant posturing of the Entente led by Lloyd George and President Millerand but is less convincing on the activities of Stalin and his cronies in the Southern Armies compared to more recent volumes on the same subject. (Zamoyski, 'Warsaw 1920', 2008). Whilst the research is excellent the book is somewhat academic in feel and this results in a lack of three dimensional characterisation and pace. This publication is for the serious student of Polish history who wants detail and for whom these shortcomings would not be an issue. The final chapter 'Repercussions' is now dated (Pimlico 2003 Edition) and still refers to a communist Poland. The publisher has also let down this renowned author by producing this edition on poor quality paper.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a fascinating account of a little known episode of European history which was to have wide unforeseen repercussions. The book is scholarly in that all facts a referenced and supported, but in my opinion it is also highly readable. Davies enlivens the narrative with eye witness accounts, which bring the brutalities and sometimes absurdities of the battlefield home to the reader. The wild and diverse characters of the participants are also brought vividly to life, such as the indomitable loner Pi³sudski, or the suave and inspired Soviet commander Tukhachevsky.
Although it is a highly balanced account it is difficult not to become very engaged with Poland's struggle to keep hold of her first chance of independence since the 1790's, and feel the tension from point when Poland was riding high after its annexation of Kiev, to the dark days when Warsaw was threatened, to the great counter stroke that threw the overstretched Soviet forces back over the border. These events were no less dramatic in that they were also the occasion of the last great cavalry battles ever fought, between Budyonny's First Red Cavalry and the Polish Ulans.
Another great strength of the book is as a myth buster. I had read that the "Miracle of the Vistula", when Soviet forces were thrown back from the gates of Warsaw, was the work of the French General Weygand. In reality he was frozen out by the Polish staff after having a bad reception from Pi³sudski, and was credited with "saving" Poland by the British and French premiers, who were trying to cover their own reputations after the surprise of Poland's victory.
The book ends on a more melancholy note reflecting that it was published in the 1970's, when Poland was still under the heel of their old foe, the Russians. It is shown how the war may have affected the Soviet regime, as well as reflecting that militarily, many of the wrong lessons were learned, which contributed to Poland's ignominious defeat in 1939. Perhaps this book is ripe for a new addition with an introduction that takes into account Poland's improved fortunes and the warming relations with Russia.
Although it is a highly balanced account it is difficult not to become very engaged with Poland's struggle to keep hold of her first chance of independence since the 1790's, and feel the tension from point when Poland was riding high after its annexation of Kiev, to the dark days when Warsaw was threatened, to the great counter stroke that threw the overstretched Soviet forces back over the border. These events were no less dramatic in that they were also the occasion of the last great cavalry battles ever fought, between Budyonny's First Red Cavalry and the Polish Ulans.
Another great strength of the book is as a myth buster. I had read that the "Miracle of the Vistula", when Soviet forces were thrown back from the gates of Warsaw, was the work of the French General Weygand. In reality he was frozen out by the Polish staff after having a bad reception from Pi³sudski, and was credited with "saving" Poland by the British and French premiers, who were trying to cover their own reputations after the surprise of Poland's victory.
The book ends on a more melancholy note reflecting that it was published in the 1970's, when Poland was still under the heel of their old foe, the Russians. It is shown how the war may have affected the Soviet regime, as well as reflecting that militarily, many of the wrong lessons were learned, which contributed to Poland's ignominious defeat in 1939. Perhaps this book is ripe for a new addition with an introduction that takes into account Poland's improved fortunes and the warming relations with Russia.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
English by birth, Polish by heritage
Read and understand why the Russians hate the Polish nation, you cannot get independence from Russia and survive. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Jan Scott
A work of art
Brilliant scholarship in two very difficult languages! A priceless insight into the early leaders of the Bolshevik movement. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2008 by Dublin 4
Lord D'Abernon wrote the following
"On the essential point, there can be little room for doubt; had the Soviet forces overcome Polish resistance... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2004
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