Scan barcode
wannabekingpin's review
4.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: A brutal war in winter, ruthless, violent invader, and people whose only choice is to fight back or die. It’s an absolutely horrifying tale of meatgrinder that is war, destroying lives, minds, nature. With hope most Eastern flank had, for help from the West, dying last, and only resentment keeping you fighting, on your feet.
My Opinion: Finns are badass people, and so it doesn’t surprise me one bit they held on so well, fighting back. They knew how to use their own terrain, and no matter how ill prepared they might have been – knew how to fight in winter too. War is a nightmare though, so reading this is a bit taxing. Still, well written, so if you’re interested in the topic, it’s a worthy book to pick up.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: A brutal war in winter, ruthless, violent invader, and people whose only choice is to fight back or die. It’s an absolutely horrifying tale of meatgrinder that is war, destroying lives, minds, nature. With hope most Eastern flank had, for help from the West, dying last, and only resentment keeping you fighting, on your feet.
My Opinion: Finns are badass people, and so it doesn’t surprise me one bit they held on so well, fighting back. They knew how to use their own terrain, and no matter how ill prepared they might have been – knew how to fight in winter too. War is a nightmare though, so reading this is a bit taxing. Still, well written, so if you’re interested in the topic, it’s a worthy book to pick up.
gagnedouze's review
4.0
The Russo-Finnish War was fought between Finland and the Soviets just 3 months after the outbreak of World War 2. Like Roger Moorhouse's First to Fight account in which he writes about Germany's initial invasion of Poland, William R Trotter's book, Frozen Hell, also discusses another overlooked conflict. The Soviets were superior in military strength, especially tanks and aircraft but suffered huge losses. Finland defended their country doggedly and lasted just over 100 days, even garnering respect from opposing soldiers.
Such was the arrogance of the Soviet defence leaders, they believed Finland would fall quickly and at the hands of just a Military District. Forested, rural terrain suited the Finns much better. With no roads, tanks were considered useless in some parts and the Finns mobilised with skis. Dressed all in white, they camouflaged with the snowy background and moved through the forests with near invisibility. The Russians were picked off easily in their standard dark green uniform.
Trotter wrote some terrifying scenes in this book perfectly, especially this passage during the Battle of Tolvajärvi - "The eerie silence, the near absolute blackness of the night, the strain of not knowing from one minute to the next when they might encounter a Russian patrol or an ambush".
I don't know why, but one obvious omission from Frozen Hell would be the famous sniper, Simo Häyhä. I am baffled as to why he was not mentioned once in this?! He claimed the lives of over 500 enemy soldiers during the Winter War.
Trotter packs in a lot of content in just under 300 pages and it also has some fantastic photographs. He describes the battles well, the words flow and he paints the people and environments effectively.
Such was the arrogance of the Soviet defence leaders, they believed Finland would fall quickly and at the hands of just a Military District. Forested, rural terrain suited the Finns much better. With no roads, tanks were considered useless in some parts and the Finns mobilised with skis. Dressed all in white, they camouflaged with the snowy background and moved through the forests with near invisibility. The Russians were picked off easily in their standard dark green uniform.
Trotter wrote some terrifying scenes in this book perfectly, especially this passage during the Battle of Tolvajärvi - "The eerie silence, the near absolute blackness of the night, the strain of not knowing from one minute to the next when they might encounter a Russian patrol or an ambush".
I don't know why, but one obvious omission from Frozen Hell would be the famous sniper, Simo Häyhä. I am baffled as to why he was not mentioned once in this?! He claimed the lives of over 500 enemy soldiers during the Winter War.
Trotter packs in a lot of content in just under 300 pages and it also has some fantastic photographs. He describes the battles well, the words flow and he paints the people and environments effectively.
cawhite's review
4.0
I wasn't aware of this war, i.e. attempted take over of Finland by the USSR. Very interesting to compare with what's going on in Ukraine right now. The Russian attitude seems not to have changed.
sleepyboi2988's review
5.0
Absolutely excellent book on the Russo-Finnish War. Immensely readable yet with great detail, the author does a great job of intertwining the reality on the ground, command, and diplomatic fronts.
thomcat's review
4.0
Covers the reasons behind and the actions in the Winter War, a mismatched conflict between Finland (population 4 million) and Soviet Russia (population 150 million), raging 80 years ago today. If you don't know your history, this book will show you the strength of Finnish resistance, and Sisu.
First published in 1991, the history of this 105 day war gains much from released Soviet documents. The analysis of the starting phases, the continuation and the final peace treaty are excellent. Some of the battle descriptions bog down a little in details of troops. I supplemented the functional maps with wikipedia research and a hex map from a wargame I own on the subject. Contains excellent explanations of the reasons and personalities of the combatants - especially Baron Mannerheim.
This one hasn't been on my reading list, but I've been eyeing it over the years, and now was a perfect time to dive in. I'm glad I did! The author has also published a few American Civil War books, and while that isn't my favorite genre, I will definitely consider them. I'd also like to read about Finnish sniper Simo Häyhä, nicknamed Белая смерть or "White Death". This book rates a solid 4 stars out of 5.
First published in 1991, the history of this 105 day war gains much from released Soviet documents. The analysis of the starting phases, the continuation and the final peace treaty are excellent. Some of the battle descriptions bog down a little in details of troops. I supplemented the functional maps with wikipedia research and a hex map from a wargame I own on the subject. Contains excellent explanations of the reasons and personalities of the combatants - especially Baron Mannerheim.
This one hasn't been on my reading list, but I've been eyeing it over the years, and now was a perfect time to dive in. I'm glad I did! The author has also published a few American Civil War books, and while that isn't my favorite genre, I will definitely consider them. I'd also like to read about Finnish sniper Simo Häyhä, nicknamed Белая смерть or "White Death". This book rates a solid 4 stars out of 5.
jameshendrickson's review
4.0
There were some laugh out loud funny parts of this book. The Russians continue to be bullies and act the same way 80 years ago as they do today. They invaded Ukraine under the same faulty rhetoric and the same propaganda. They were unprepared then as they are now.
In the end Ukraine will make a conciliatory peace and lose land just like the Finns did while the belligerent Russians get to claim victory for a war they started and actually will lose but for the shear numbers of people they can send to be slaughtered. The west will offer help and encouragement but will largely be inactive. At least we don’t have a bellicose Germany waiting in the wings like we did in 1939.
In many ways history continues to repeat itself.
In the end Ukraine will make a conciliatory peace and lose land just like the Finns did while the belligerent Russians get to claim victory for a war they started and actually will lose but for the shear numbers of people they can send to be slaughtered. The west will offer help and encouragement but will largely be inactive. At least we don’t have a bellicose Germany waiting in the wings like we did in 1939.
In many ways history continues to repeat itself.
iwb's review
4.0
Much neglected, if not entirely unknown, in American's World War Two frame of reference, is the war as it played out in the Nordic regions; in this case the so-called Russo-Finnish Winter War. This book is an exceptionally interesting account of the Soviet invasion of Finland, presumably to acquire, at the least, Finnish land as a buffer against a possible Nazi advance via Norway. Particularly noteworthy are the acheivements of the Finnish infantry's elite ski snipers, who put a serious damper on Russian morale, as well as exacted heavy tolls on Soviet personnel and equipment.
Like any good red-blooded American, you'll be rooting for the Finns all the way through, even though you know that, inevitably, the Finns, while superior soldiers to the incompetant invading Russian forces, must capitulate in the face of overwhelming enemy numbers and resources. It's a real page turner, especially if you detest the Soviet Union.
Well researched and written in a narrative style that, while not the most elegent, doesn't distract the reader from learning about this important episode of WWII military history. A must have for students and fans of WWII.
Like any good red-blooded American, you'll be rooting for the Finns all the way through, even though you know that, inevitably, the Finns, while superior soldiers to the incompetant invading Russian forces, must capitulate in the face of overwhelming enemy numbers and resources. It's a real page turner, especially if you detest the Soviet Union.
Well researched and written in a narrative style that, while not the most elegent, doesn't distract the reader from learning about this important episode of WWII military history. A must have for students and fans of WWII.
runningreader's review
4.0
I knew nothing about this chapter in early WWII history. An informative and comprehensive read of the background leading up to the winter war and the details of the war. Now I'm fascinated by Finland.
More...