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World War Two: Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West Paperback – 6 Aug 2009

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Laurence Rees (Author)
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Laurence Rees (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 33 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: BBC Books (6 Aug. 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 184607794X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846077944
  • Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 2.8 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 153,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

"'There are many surprises here... The relationship between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill makes an ugly story, and Rees tells is extraordinarily well'" (Max Hastings The Sunday Times)

Review

"a thoughtful and thought-provoking introduction to many of the shadier deals of the Second World War...The real virtue of this book lies in its ability to blend the experience of ordinary people into the narrative of public events...memorable in the extreme" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant, a sign of new trend in WWII historiography
By M. Gasior on 12 Feb. 2009
Format: Hardcover
I totally disagree with William Podmore's review. The author clearly states that the storyline is based as close as it's possible on archival material and from my knowledge of the subject it's so far one of the most reliable accounts of Soviet-Nazi and Soviet-Western Allies relations I have ever read.
I agree Rees has discovered nothing particularly new in terms of general historical knowledge, all those events were well documented before, but the real value of the book and the TV series is that first time a professional historian, a Westerner, decided to examine closely the relation between two 20th century monsters - Nazis and Soviets. This is quite a common knowledge in the countries who happened to be on the wrong side of Iron Curtain, but for everage Brit or Yank it will be a revelation, a historical earthquake and, finally, quite a painful truth about their countries responsibilities for Cold War.
Author doesn't skip briefly over Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany; Rees clearly states the scale of Soviet casualties and importance of Eastern Front in Nazi defeat. The overwhelming impression the reader reach is that without Soviets victory would be impossible. And that's true. But in the same time the Soviet achievements are superbly counterbalanced by terrible crimes commited by NKVD (the Katyn Massacre re-enactment is a real shocker, the evidence provided by Rees is also overwhelming), by Russian support for German war effort before Barbarossa without which Germany wouldn't be able to carry on in Europe and North Africa in the same time. Not many people know Stalin offered Ribbentrop the assistance of Red Army in a case of invasion of Germany by other powers (we can only assume he meant France and Britain).Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsAn enthralling read.
By sgeoff on 12 Feb. 2009
Format: Hardcover
This book holds the interest from first page to last. Pro-Stalin readers may not like the way Rees exposes the lies and crimes of the Soviet dictator, but anyone who wants to get behind the scenes of the war-time discussions will find this a fascinating and reliable account, with detailed attention to the cynical bargain struck by Hitler and Stalin to carve up Poland, and then later to the way in which Roosevelt and Churchill did everyhting possible to avoid annoying their new Russian ally - thereby almost inviting him to do what he liked with eastern Europe. Rees makes it clear that Russia was essential to the struggle with Nazi Germany, and suffered far, far greater casualties than the western allies, but it is still tragic to see Roosevelt and Churchill turning a blind eye to events like the Katyn massacre of some 7000 Polish officers on Stalin's orders. The Russian fabrications relating to this, and their attempts to pin the crime on Garmany at the Nuremberg trials,are told in full. This is carefully reseached and gives much that a reader of general world war 2 literature will not have met. It covers the whole period of the war, is very readable, and very highly recommended.
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4.0 out of 5 starsDetails about the 2nd WW that have never been told in full before
By Sally Wilton VINE VOICE on 14 Nov. 2008
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
A surprisingly readable book, including previously unseen photographs. The reason for me reading this book and the most interesting details for me are those concerning the little known alliance between Stalin and Hitler prior to and at the beginning of the war and the relationship between the 3 elderly men who decided on the grossly unfair divisions following the war at the summit at Yalta .

I was surprised when reading some of the early chapters that the scandalous invasion of Poland from the Soviet side was more or less allowed to happen and despite the heartfelt pleas from the Polish ambassador the mass killing and deportation of civilians was permitted to go on freely. 'We have no quarrel with the Soviets' the British Government said whilst murder was blatantly being perpetrated. Behind the scenes though,a tit for tat conspiracy was being carried out between Hitler and Stalin which left the unfortunate Poles compromised completely. Despite the huge Polish loss of life and their heroic fight for freedom they were betrayed by what they thought were their allies. I found the 4000 brave Polish men killed at Montecasino particularly moving, when you realise they were sacrificed and unappreciated for their efforts.

A complex political situation continued right through until the end of the war when it seems that Stalin had to be compensated for losing 27 million troops (27 million compared with only 400 000 each for UK and US) Not that the mad and vindictive Stalin cared for his people, he happily murdered or transported millions for a whim. Additionally Russia was by the end of the war occupying much of Eastern Europe, too bad for those millions and millions of tragic people who had to suffer another 50 years of dictatorial communist rule!Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsWell Told History
By J. E. Parry VINE VOICE on 20 Jan. 2010
Format: Paperback
This book helps to add a more rounded picture to our knowledge of the relationship between the Allies during WW2. Thanks to archive material released following the fall of the USSR we are now able to discover the truth behind the accepted wisdom.

We are shown that Churchill and Roosevelt went out of there way to build a personal relationship with Stalin. This was often done at the expense of the other leader. Agreements were made that weakened the position of each Western leader as they set out to get the best from the discussions.

We also find that neither Churchill or Roosevelt understood that Stalin was a dictator and therefore not subject to public opinion or pressure from other members of the politburo. In fact they chose to believe that the Soviet leader was able o change position on subjects and alter his policy to suit his own ends.

Two of the biggest shocks were that both Churchill and Roosevelt were happy to sell the Polish nation down the river and unilaterally agree to giving Stalin the Eastern half of Poland that he'd taken in 1939. In addition we see that the "special relationship", that we all grew up believing in, never actually existed.

Roosevelt was happy to belittle Churchill and to make decisions without his involvement. Equally Churchill had less influence over Roosevelt than we had previously thought. There was no doubt which country was the senior and the ultimate powerbroker here.

This is a highly recommended read and is fast paced - on occasion a little to fast as you seem to move through long periods of time in a few pages.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant

Fantastic book. Definitely a eye opener with some very good insights as to what really went on.

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Fascinating recollection of behind closed doors politics 'that is largely untaught' during WW2, truly eye opening revelations about the leaders of the allied powers.

Published 17 months ago by joe
5.0 out of 5 starsSelling out the Poles at the end of World War Two

So why did Britain go to war over Poland in 1939 and then sell her out to Stalin, handing her over 'from one tyrant to another' (as the author puts it) in 1945? Read more

Published 21 months ago by Neasa MacErlean
5.0 out of 5 starsDubious means to questionable ends

This is a fascinating examination of the relations between Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt. I had always assumed that after the defeat of Hitler it was too much hassle for the... Read more

Published 23 months ago by Antenna
5.0 out of 5 starsStalin is some boy

Good book on the deals between the allies and the USSR, it also explores the relationships between the big 3.

Published on 13 Oct. 2014 by Josh Lynch
2.0 out of 5 starsyou might want to read it, after all

In a way, it is a typical BBC - related book: very decent research, shallow analysis, pedestrian language. Read more

Published on 12 Jun. 2014 by advokat
5.0 out of 5 starsAn eye opener

An absolutely brilliant book and a must read for anyone interested in the Second World war and the relationships between Churchill,Roosevelt and Stalin
I have ordered the DVD... Read more

Published on 6 Jun. 2014 by anglesey lad
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One must wonder why historians still have no access to the full records of the Nazi era. But yes, for those who are not aware of it, the Nazi archives are as well protected as the... Read more

Published on 12 Nov. 2013 by Serge Berthier

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