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.

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9780300114379

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Reviews

A good introduction. . . . Lukacs captures the drama leading up to the German invasion. -- Charters Wynn The Historian

John Lukacs''s latest work, June 1941, showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticated historians of the WW2 era. Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great''s Imperial Partner -- Simon Sebag Montefiore John Lukacss June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War IIs watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. Henry Kissinger -- Henry Kissinger A bantam-sized book with a heavyweight punch. Once again, Lukacs has, with great concision and intellectual force, zeroed in on a brief period but momentous episode that literally changed the world. And once again, he has managed to bring alive the protagonists and bring clarity as well as drama to their fateful interaction.Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution -- Strobe Talbott ?A bantam-sized book with a heavyweight punch. Once again, Lukacs has, with great concision and intellectual force, zeroed in on a brief period but momentous episode that literally changed the world. And once again, he has managed to bring alive the protagonists and bring clarity as well as drama to their fateful interaction. Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution -- Strobe Talbott ?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 Los Angeles Times John Lukacs's June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War II's watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. ?Henry Kissinger -- Henry Kissinger YLukacs 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 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 [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 Atlantic Monthly A good introduction. . . . Lukacs captures the drama leading up to the German invasion. Charters Wynn, The Historian--Charters Wynn The Historian A terse and telling book which looks into a familiar turning point in history, and penetrates nearer the marrow than less able historians have done before. MRD Foot (Michael Foot) --Michael Foot John Lukacs excels at making historical fulcrum moments exciting, explicable and immediate. As with his superb Five Days InLondon, he shows howimportant Adolf Hitler'sone-man decisions were to theexperiences of millions in the twentiethcentury. When the Fuhrerunleashed Blitzkrieg onthe USSR on 21 June 1941, he said that Operation Barbarossa would make the world hold its breath; you will hold yours as Lukacs' narrative unrolls. Andrew Roberts --Andrew Roberts John Lukacs s June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War II s watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. Henry Kissinger --Henry Kissinger John Lukacs'slatest work, June 1941, showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticatedhistorians of the WW2 era. Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great's Imperial Partner --Simon Sebag Montefiore A bantam-sized book with a heavyweight punch.Once again, Lukacs has, with great concision and intellectual force, zeroed in on a brief period but momentous episode that literally changed the world.And once again, he has managed to bring alive the protagonists and bring clarity as well as drama to their fateful interaction. Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution --Strobe Talbott 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 Los Angeles Times John Lukacs s June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War II s watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. Henry Kissinger --Henry Kissinger John Lukacs'slatest work, June 1941, showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticatedhistorians of the WW2 era. Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great's Imperial Partner --Simon Sebag Montefiore A bantam-sized book with a heavyweight punch. Once again, Lukacs has, with great concision and intellectual force, zeroed in on a brief period but momentous episode that literally changed the world. And once again, he has managed to bring alive the protagonists and bring clarity as well as drama to their fateful interaction. --Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution --Strobe Talbott John Lukacs's June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War II's watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. --Henry Kissinger --Henry Kissinger John Lukacs's latest work, June 1941, showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticated historians of the WW2 era. --Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great's Imperial Partner --Simon Sebag Montefiore 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 Los Angeles Times John Lukacs's latest work, June 1941 , showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticated historians of the WW2 era. --Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great's Imperial Partner --Simon Sebag Montefiore John Lukacs''s latest work, June 1941 , showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticated historians of the WW2 era. --Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great''s Imperial Partner --Simon Sebag Montefiore John Lukacs''s latest work, June 1941, showcases the worldliness, strategic wisdom, and superb eye for the personal detail that has made him one of our most experienced, readable, and sophisticated historians of the WW2 era. --Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar and Potemkin: Catherine the Great''s Imperial Partner John Lukacs7;s June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War II7;s watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. 2;Henry Kissinger -- Henry Kissinger 0;A bantam-sized book with a heavyweight punch. Once again, Lukacs has, with great concision and intellectual force, zeroed in on a brief period but momentous episode that literally changed the world. And once again, he has managed to bring alive the protagonists and bring clarity as well as drama to their fateful interaction.1;2;Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution -- Strobe Talbott 0;Lukacs7; project is to restore the characters o0; of individual leaders to a central role in a historical narrative o0;. Urgently engrossing1;2;Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times -- Tim Rutten Los Angeles Times A bantam-sized book with a heavyweight punch. Once again, Lukacs has, with great concision and intellectual force, zeroed in on a brief period but momentous episode that literally changed the world. And once again, he has managed to bring alive the protagonists and bring clarity as well as drama to their fateful interaction. -- Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution 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 John Lukacs' s June 1941: Hitler and Stalin is one of the fullest and most authoritative portraits of the ambiguous relationship between the two powerful and wily adversaries during World War II' s watershed year. Drawing on newly available source material from the diaries, personal papers and post-war interviews of senior staff members close to each, it is a fascinating and masterfully researched book. -- Henry Kissinger A fascinating and masterfully researched book. -Henry Kissinger

Author Information

John Lukacs is one of America's most respected historians and the author of more than two dozen books on history, nine of which are published by Yale University Press.

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