Description
Book SynopsisLongtime Soviet expert Albert L. Weeks has studied the newly-released information and come to a new conclusion about the Soviet Union's pre-war buildup_it was not precaution against German invasion at all. In fact, Weeks argues, the evidence now suggests Soviet mobilization was aimed at an eventual invasion of Nazi Germany.
Trade ReviewNazi Germany's invasion of Soviet Russia had immense consequences for the world, lasting into the 21st century. Albert Weeks has made imaginative use of recently released archives to shed new light on this crucial conflict. This book is a reminder that history is anything but static—it requires constant revision, in the light of new information and fresh perspective. -- Strobe Talbott, president, The Brookings Institution
Stalin's Other War is an excellent study that thoroughly covers the subject matter under discussion, and Weeks provides an exceptionally good overview of the current state of the debate among Russian scholars who are making use of the new evidence that is progressively becoming available as the Soviet archives are opened to scholarly scrutiny. The book includes an excellent discussion of the issue of the supposed 'defensist' orientation of Soviet policy. Stalin's Other War presents substantial evidence that Soviet warplanning reflected its expansionist orientation. Provides an excellent update on the current status of a very contentious and important historical debate. Weeks does an excellent job of describing Soviet diplomatic and military strategy and supports his core arguments with solid evidence. Stalin's Other War is a sound contribution to the scholarly literature on the Soviet Union and a useful addition to the debate on the pre-Barbarossa relationship between two predatory empires. * Comparative Strategy *
Since the demise of the Soviet Union, new documents have surfaced which show, according to Albert Weeks in Stalin's Other War, one of our leading Sovietologists, that, on the contrary, Stalin had developed an offensive-war strategy against both Nazi Germany and the Western democracies as well. Mr. Weeks has produced a volume of history which is bound to stir controversy. Mr. Weeks's analysis of Soviet archives is a piece of scholarly revisionism of major significance. -- Arnold Beichman * The Washington Times *
This slender volume is a must study for scholars and history buffs on the Second World War, and, especially for skeptics who still doubt Stalin's aggressive designs. First of all, the author judiciously weighs the Russian and English-language sources. Second, he tells his history engrossingly. Third, he prints in appendices key documents that have previously not appeared in English, or which have been hard to find. Fourth, he relates—this is an outstanding contribution to understanding the current Russian state of mind—Russian textbook presentations on the controversial topic. -- Richard Raack, author of Stalin's Drive to the West 1938-1945: The Origins of the Cold War
Recommended. * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Soviet Expansionist Ideology: Propaganda or Blueprint? Chapter 3 Prewar Diplomacy and the Comintern Chapter 4 The Soviets' Pro-German Posture Chapter 5 Nazi-Soviet Agreements (1939-40) Chapter 6 Stalin Prepares for What Kind of War Chapter 7 Stalin's Response to "Barbarossa"— I Chapter 8 Stalin's Response to "Barbarossa"— II Chapter 9 Conclusions Chapter 10 Appendix 1: Stalin's Third Speech, May 5, 1941 Chapter 11 Appendix 2: May 15, 1941, Memorandum Chapter 12 Appendix 3: Stalin's Speech to the Politburo, August 19, 1939 Chapter 13 Appendix 4: Russia's New History Textbooks
