Finland Books

A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940

William Trotter

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Best Book on Winter War in english 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

My mother was evacuated from Karelia at the age of 15 years and my father fought in the Winter War. My Finnish parents emigrated to South Africa and I was born here. Therefore my dominant language is english and my sons speak no Finnish. This is a wonderful book to pass on this story to my english speaking children. It is easy to understand and interesting to read. It reads like an entertaining novel. I also hope that it can bring this story and the case for the return of Karelia to the wider world.

Waiting for a New Account of the War 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

A good read but badly needs a post-Cold War update. This book is about a conflict between Russia and Finland, but the only Russian source listed in the "Notes on the Sources" (there is no bibliography) is the English translation of the memoirs of Khruschev, who didn't even participate in the Winter War. Other than a few short, atmospheric accounts by Russian soldiers taken from earlier English or Finnish books, no other Russian source is cited, leaving us almost wholly dependent on Finnish historians and the memoirs of Finnish commanders. This is not a scholarly approach.
Maybe there just weren't any other Russian sources available; or maybe they were only available in Russian (which the author does not know, although he is rightly proud of having mastered Finnish). All that may have been a tolerable excuse in 1991 (when this book came out), but the Russian state archives are now open to all, and certainly much more material has been translated into English in the past 16 years. At the very least, Trotter could speak to some Russians. He found Finnish veterans to interview, and I bet some of their Russian counterparts can also still be found among the WWII veterans who totter around public parks in Russia every May 9.
But to find, you have to look, and what's disappointing is that I have no sense the author feels any need to seek out more significant sources from the other side.

Editorial Review:

In 1939, tiny Finland waged war--the kind of war that spawns legends--against the mighty Soviet Union, and yet their epic struggle has been largely ignored. Guerrillas on skis, heroic single-handed attacks on tanks, unfathomable endurance, and the charismatic leadership of one of this century's true military geniuses--these are the elements of both the Finnish victory and a gripping tale of war.

To the Finland Station (New York Review Books Classics)

Edmund Wilson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

At once an excellent and dismal overview of socialism 4 out of 5 stars.
18 of 20 people found this review helpful.

The American critical writer Edmund Wilson attempted in this book to give an overview of the historical development of socialism, or rather the many socialisms, until the 1930s. However, the result is a very mixed bag: sometimes Wilson reaches great heights, but sometimes it is bare nonsense too.

The best description I can give of the nature of the work is that it is very much a literary overview of socialism rather than a political-historical one. Wilson concentrates in all mini-biographies of early socialists as well as the pieces on Lenin, Marx & Engels on the particulars of their life. Larded with many details and amusing anecdotes revealing the personality of the main socialist leaders, this book is very much at its best when describing the human interactions between various socialists and the world around them, and in portraying how their ideas were formed by their life experiences.

The big downside to this book is, however, Wilson's complete lack of understanding of any theory whatever. He clearly has neither knowledge of nor interest in any of the real tenets of socialism, Marxist, Lassallean or otherwise, and has not taken any trouble to look it up either. The result is that the passages which mean to give quick overviews of the Marxist or Leninist positions on certain issues are almost invariably simplistic, confused and wrong. The worst example of this (as a prior reviewer also mentioned) is the chapter on the dialectic, which immediately reveals to the reader that Wilson didn't have the slightest idea what dialectics is, and the childish simplicity of his view on it makes one think he probably got his information from a dictionary or something equally useless.

For these reasons, it is hard to say whether the overall result is positive or negative. If you are looking for a good insight on the development of the theoretical aspects of socialism or the political issues of those times, absolutely do not rely on this book. If you are however interested in the personalities and life histories of the main socialists until WWII, then Wilson's book will be a high-quality, pleasant and sympathetic guide. If there were a 3.5 star rating, I would give it that; but I will err on the side of a positive review here since I suppose most people reading popular literature about socialism are not going to be interested in the the technical details of the theory, unless they are socialists themselves - in which case they should read Marx & Engels directly anyway.

One final word of warning: the introduction by Louis Menand is terrible, and is best skipped altogether.

Editorial Review:

To the Finald Station is one of the greatest works by 20th-century America’s heralded man of letters. This magisterial study of the revolutionary dream reaches from the French Revolution through the Paris Commune to Russia in 1917, and features brilliant portraits of such figures as Jules Michelet, the great historian of the French people; the utopians Robert Owen and Charles Fourier; the anarchist Mikhail Bakunin; and of course Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Trotsky. Combining his polymathic talents as critic, journalist, historian, and novelist, Edmund Wilson offers an incisive and enduring tribute to the resilience, depth, and passion of the modern culture of protest.

Finland at War 1939 - 45 (Elite)

Philip Jowett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent Addition to Elite Series 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 18 people found this review helpful.

Finland at War 1939-45, # 141 in Osprey's Elite series, is an excellent introduction to the role of the Finnish Army in the Second World War. Authors Philip Jowett and Brent Snodgrass demonstrate a firm grip of this subject and provide a wealth of useful and hard-to-find information on the Finns. This volume belongs on the bookshelves of anyone seriously interested in the Eastern Front.

The opening section spends about 12 pages outlining the chronology of the three wars that Finland fought in the period 1939-45; the 1939-40 Winter War and 1941-44 Continuation War against the Soviet Union and the 1944-45 Lapland War against the Germans. However the chronology section actually has a fair amount of detail and provides a good introduction to the subject. The heart of the volume lies in the 25-page section which discusses the organization of the Finnish army, covering all the major branches as well as paramilitary formations such as the Civil Guard and Foreign Volunteers. A brief section discusses tactics, including the use of "motti" encirclement attacks and snipers. A final section discusses weapons, including small arms, machineguns, anti-tank weapons and artillery (unfortunately, mortars were omitted). Overall, there is a wealth of information in this thin volume and it is one of the better of Osprey's Elite titles.

Eight pages of color plates by artist Raffaele Ruggeri depict the Finnish military and para-military forces from 1939-45. The photographs in the volume are also very good and most have not been printed in English-language books before. Perhaps the only area that gets a bit skimped on is in the areas of training and higher staff functions at corps-level, but this is understandable given the size restraints. Overall, a superb volume.

Editorial Review:

Finland's fight to defend her independence earned this tiny nation of just 3 million people a distinct place in history. Invaded by Stalin before World War II, Finland held out for months and inflicted huge losses on the invaders, but she was eventually crushed by the weight of Soviet numbers. When Germany invaded the USSR in 1941 the Finns fought alongside the Wehrmacht on the northern Russian Front, with great skill and courage in an attempt to regain their lost territories. When the German armies were forced to retreat in 1944, Finland managed to conclude a separate peace with the USSR – uniquely, without being forced to accept renewed Russian occupation. This book details the organisation, uniforms and equipment of this remarkable force.

Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf

Richard D. Lewis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Why is Finland number one in Global Competitiveness? Why is Finland number one in mobile phones? Why is Finland regularly voted as the least corrupt country in the world? How did Finland become the world leader in managing water resources? Why are Finns regarded as the ideal "peacekeepers"? Why are Finns the world's biggest consumers of coffee and alcohol? Why are Finns the most silent people in Europe? Why is the future Finnish?

Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf is the story of an accomplished nation and her extraordinary people. Pursuing a "Lone Wolf" policy, Finland raised itself from a struggling, war-battered state in 1945 to one of the most developed countries in the world. Finland, blending the individualism of the West with cultural characteristics of the East, has retained its reputation as a stand-alone nation. These remarkable Finns speak a language unique in its origins and have kept their cultural identity intact despite the influences of powerful neighbors, Sweden and Russia. As business partners Finns are unsurpassed in leadership qualities yet inspire the successful team building that created the largest company in Europe. The exponential rise of Nokia from tire and timbers to leading the world's telecommunication industry is indicative of the Finns and their characteristic business style. Uniquely qualified to write about Finland, best-selling author Richard Lewis traces the fascinating Finnish origins, as well as her history and geography. He compares communication styles among the Finns and other cultures, including Asians, Americans and Europeans, and he explores the most dominant cultural values that define the Finns. His extensive experience with Finnish business allows him keen insight on leadership style, negotiation strategies and the uniquely Finnish suomi kuva (Finland image). And Lewis shines when describing the Finnish humor, complete with hilarious jokes and stories.

Alvar Aalto, 1898-1976: Paradise for the Man in the Street (Taschen Basic Architecture)

Louna Lahti

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

"Basic" 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

When they call this book "basic," they mean it. There is nothing deep or philosophical contained within these pages. Instead, this is an overview of the main works that Aalto produced during his career. Projects range from his Savoy vases to entire buildings. This is a good starting point for anyone who is interested in learning more about Aalto's work and nice to have as a basic reference. For the price, this little book can't be beat!

Editorial Review:

"The form is a mystery that eludes every definition."—Alvar Aalto

Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was not only influenced by the landscape of his native country, but by the political struggle over Finland’s place within European culture. After early neoclassical buildings, Alvar Aalto turned to ideas based on Functionalism, subsequently moving toward more organic structures, with brick and wood replacing plaster and steel. In addition to designing buildings, furniture, lamps, and glass objects with his wife Aino, he painted and was an avid traveler. A firm believer that buildings have a crucial role in shaping society, Aalto once said, "The duty of the architect is to give life a more sensitive structure."

The Winter War: The Soviet Attack on Finland 1939-1940

Eloise Engle, Lauri Paananen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not worse than Trotter's book, just with different emphasis 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

A few reviews have unfavorably compared this book with Trotter's Frozen Hell but they have missed the point. Trotter's book is an exhaustive look at the military aspects of the Winter War. If you are only looking for such a treatise, then buy Frozen Hell. But if you are looking for the humanitarian aspects of that conflict, then Winter War may be better for your needs. For instance, Winter War contains a photo of one of the many Finnish children who were tagged and shipped to Sweden for safekeeping, as well as a description of that tragic episode. Trotter not only omitted a photo on that subject, he does not mention it at all in the narrative.

Quick reading, good overview 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a book that covers one of the less covered topics, the Soviet attack on Finland. The author presents the events and overall battles and engagements in a fluid and flowing manner. The book is a good read and provides insight as to the tenacity of the Finnish soldiers in defending their home country against a more modern and better equipped Soviet Army.

What finally caused the surrender of Finland was the complete overwhelming superiority of men, material, and equipment that the Soviets had and the Finnish could not sustain against in prolonged combat. The author describes how the poorly led and supplied Soviet troops were being surrounded and eliminated by the Finns in the winter combat. Also describes is how the Finns immediately used the captured equipment and ammunition to fill their non-existing inventories.

This book provides an excellent overall strategic view. Specific battles and the personal first hand view of the fighting is not described in this book. This book is worthwhile reading.

It should also be remembered that Finland was the only minor Axis ally not occupied by the Soviets after World War 2. The bravery of their soldiers and their tenacity may have been a significant factor in their independence.

Editorial Review:

This is a paperback edition of Engle and Paananen's authoritative account of the Winter War.

Marimekko: Fabrics, Fashion, Architecture (Bard Graduate Centre for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design & Culture)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Founded in 1951 by visionary textile designer Armi Ratia and her husband, Viljo, the Marimekko Corporation in Finland not only sparked a revolution in pattern making but also pioneered a new definition of fashion that embraced the entire home environment. This book, a comprehensive study of Marimekko designs, presents more than 100 examples of the exuberant Marimekko fashions and home furnishings that gave the company a definitive presence on the world design stage. The book considers the history of the company from its foundation up to today and examines Marimekko's impact on design in Finland and around the world. The company's most important designers, including Maija Isola and Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi, their contributions, and their stylistic development are also discussed. In addition, the book examines Marimekko home and office interiors and how they reflected the lifestyle envisioned in Armi Ratia's broad, radical definition of fashion. This book is the catalogue for an exhibition at the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture in November 2003.

The Winter War: Russia's Invasion of Finland, 1939-40

Robert Edwards

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

On November 30, 1939, the Soviet Union's Red Army invaded the young nation-state of Finland, in the full expectation of routing the small, ill-equipped Finnish army and annexing the former Russian territory by the end of the year. But Finland held out for 105 bitterly cold, fiercely combative days, until March 15, 1940, when a peace agreement ended the short, savage Winter War.

At the stirring center of the story lie the resourcefulness and resolve of the Finnish people, who against all military odds-in want of ammunition, food, sleep, and troops-fought a blundering, ineptly commanded Red Army to a standstill. On March 15, they ceded to the Soviet 11 percent of their territory and 30 percent of their economic assets, but none of their national pride.

The Russians meanwhile had markedly damaged their international standing and effectively ruined their military reputation-to such an extent, as this probing chapter in World War II history demonstrates, that Germany, with proud-blooded Finland as an ally, dared to launch its 1940 invasion of Russia. At the same time, though, the fiasco of the Winter War forced Stalin to acknowledge the shortcomings of the Red Army and to reform it: Germany would fall at Stalingrad in 1941.

With authority, this skillfully narrated military history unfolds its story of the four-month Soviet-Finnish war and explores its consequences from London to Moscow, from Helsinki to Paris, to Washington, DC.

Robert Edwards is a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph in London, where he lives.

A Concise History of Finland (Cambridge Concise Histories)

David Kirby

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

I'm glad I bought this book! 4 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

For those who love Finland and would love to know the history of this small nation which is having such an impact on the world right now, this is the book for you. You can read with a curiosity that is guaranteed to be satisfied. You'll find yourself turning pages eager to know more. But you must be prepared for lengthy spells of academic reading. It is not an easy quick "read." You must surely have a love for Finnish people and for all things Finnish and a great abiding interest in the discipline of history, especially political history. You will find out how Finland has come to be. It has excellent appendices, including a list of the nation's key dates of events in history, political statistics, an extensive guide to further reading, a comprehensive index, and good notes.

Editorial Review:

Few countries in Europe have undergone such rapid social, political and economic changes as Finland has during the last fifty years. David Kirby here sets out the fascinating history of this northern country, for centuries on the east-west divide of Europe, a country not blessed by nature, most of whose inhabitants still earned a living from farming fifty years ago, but which today is one of the most prosperous members of the European Union. He shows how this small country was able not only to survive in peace and war but also to preserve and develop its own highly distinctive identity, neither Scandinavian nor Eastern European. He traces the evolution of the idea of a Finnish national state, from the long centuries as part of the Swedish realm, through self-government within the Russian Empire, and into the stormy and tragic birth of the independent state in the twentieth century.

Battles for Scandinavia (World War II #28)

John R. Elting

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

One of the best in the series 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Before reading this volume, I knew very little about the battles for Scandinavia during WWII. I found these stories to be some of the best in the whole series. Included are the usual Time-Life collection of hundreds of photographs, illustrations, artwork, and maps that supplement clear and interesting narratives.