Reviews (30)

An excellent account
Trotter has a very easy-to-follow style of writing which he uses to great effect as he introduces the reader to the background to The Winter War. The background set, he also examines the mindset of the key people who were later to play a pivotal role in an epic David-and-Goliath struggle.
An objective account
The book deals with one of the least narrated conflicts during the preliminary years of the WW2.The writer is unprejudiced about the varios versions of the war.The interesting thing about the Finnish War is that it has a lot of conseqences affecting the both parties at war.The Red Army general staff and Soviet leaders test their strength really for the first time when you disregard the Ghalkin-Gol conflict in the far east.Though defeated, Finland does not bow to Soviet pressure unlike Baltic states.After nazi invasion of Russia, the Finns try their luck by fighting alongside nazi invaders but were finally beaten with the rest.Today the border lies where it was settled then.

Great History of a Little-Known War
A Frozen Hell is a fascinating overview of the little-known Russo-Finnish War of 1939-40. Expected to make short work of the small Finnish military and occupy the country within a few short weeks at most, the massive Russian military machine was stopped in its tracks, and suffered extremely high casulties before finally forcing a peace on the Finns a hundred days later. But Finland maintained its independence, the only country bordering and fighting against the Soviet Union to avoid becoming a satellite state. Trotter covers it all: the basis for the crisis that led to the conflict, the political maneuvering, the battle plans and action, the guerillas on skis. The only complaint I had with it was that he did not go into enough details about the Continuation War which occured a few years later. Nevertheless, a highly recommended work. Read it and find out how the world came to know the meaning of the Finnish word, sisu. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Military - World War II    7. Russo-Finnish War, 1939-1940    8. European history: Second World War    9. Finland    10. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    11. HISTORY / Europe / Russia & the Former Soviet Union    12. HISTORY / Europe / Scandinavia    13. History / Military / World War II    14. Second World War, 1939-1945    15. War & defence operations   

Reviews (13)

At once an excellent and dismal overview of socialism
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.
Interesting perspective on the Marx/Engels relationship
I didn't make it the whole way through this densely written and intimidating book, but I was absorbed by one aspect: its portrayal of the human interaction between Marx and Engels.
You mean the 1917 October Revolution??
A fine example of the sort of journalistic impressionism that doesn't get written any more. Just make sure you don't actually think you're getting a guide to Marxist thought or the Russian Revolution (& don't trust reviewers like the one below who can't be bothered to get one of the most important dates of the 20th century right - the revolution was one year old by 1918). This is an impressive book for its scope, as an examination of the writing of history, but certainly not as a philosophically astute account of socialism. Wilson famously detested abstract thought, & manages to bungle everything from the Hegelian dialectic to Marx's own historical materialism. (The chapter on "The Myth of the Dialectic" should be read with a salt shaker at hand.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communism    2. Historiography    3. History    4. History: World    5. Philosophy    6. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Socialism    10. World - General    11. History / General    12. History / World   

Reviews (1)

Finland, the mouse against the bear
A good book explaining the war between Finland and USSR, lists the equipment, vehicles and artillery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - World War II    6. European history: Second World War    7. Finland    8. History / Military / World War II    9. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    7. Finland    8. History / Europe / General   

Reviews (2)

Finnish masters
This book will liberate you from your everyday's worries. Get carried away by the splendor of Finnish Marimekko, by travelling with them to Northern Europe. A place where people endure long dark winters to enjoy three months of summer-paradise. Always in an overwhelming nature, bound to make you feel a little lonely.
a thorough tribute to a design giant
I just saw the last weekend of this show in New York at the Bard Center and it was inspired, to say the least. The book is the next best thing to being there if you are a Marimekko fan. It is a more thorough look at the company than the older title "marimekko phenomenon". The editor of this book, Marianne Aav (also the show's curator) was responsible for the 1998 show/book from the Bard Center on Finnish Modern Design. Marimekko's brave colors, shapes, and graphics are made more powerful, in my mind, by the fact that the final result appears so simple. While I mourn the lack of this in much of today's clothing/textile design, I think that the renewed excitement about Marimekko, and design in general, indicates that this is changing.There is a lot of exciting material coming out of Scandanavia and Finland by young designers right now, but Marimekko's influence on modern design cannot be underestimated. Their vision ranged beyond textiles into architecture as well, which the book illustrates.This exhibit & accompanying book have done a fine job at giving credit where it's due. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Commercial - Fashion Design    5. Design - Textile & Costume    6. Fashion design    7. Finland    8. General    9. History    10. History - General    11. Marimekko Oy    12. Textile design    13. Art / General    14. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides   

Reviews (16)

Preservation of Finnish Autonomy
Absolutely great book on a subject little known outside of Finland.Great battle recollections from participants along with historical background of both Finland, as a country, and the onset of war with Russia, make this a great read.

Quick reading, good overview
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.
A little known war that could have drastically changed WWII
There are a number of books available on the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, which was fought for a few months from Dec '39 to March '40.Even so, the war is little known in the west, coming as it did just after the Nazi/Soviet partition of Poland, during the Sitzkrieg, and just before the Nazi invasions of Norway and Denmark.Little Finland held off a Soviet onslaught for several months before superior numbers and equipment finally wore the Finnish defenders out.Meanwhile, the world debated whether to aid the Finns, occupied as they were with Nazi aggressions.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military History - Modern    7. Russo-Finnish War, 1939-1940    8. European history: Second World War    9. Finland    10. Second World War, 1939-1945    11. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. 1898-1976    2. 1900-1999 (20th century)    3. 20th century    4. Aalto, Alvar,    5. Architects    6. Architecture    7. Architecture, Modern    8. Biography    9. Finland    10. Individual Architects Of The 20th Century    11. Aalto, Alvar    12. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    13. Individual artists    14. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

Excellent, objective history of Scandinavia
Having been born and lived in Denmark till age fourteen, I was taught history in a most subjective fashion.
Good, comprehensive text
My Scandinavian history professor recommended this book to me.What he didn't tell me is that he was mentioned in the preface of the book (the author obviously used my professor's book for a reference).Anyway, the book does a great job detailing the economic, political, and cultural situations in Scandinavia dating from 1500 to the present.If I were a professor teaching this kind of history, I would definitely require this as a text because of it's comprehensiveness and how relatively short it is.It's a good book for those interested in Scandinavian studies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Eastern Europe - History    3. Europe - Scandinavia    4. Finland    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Scandinavia    9. Scandinavia - History    10. 20th century    11. European studies    12. History of specific subjects    13. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    14. Northern Europe, Scandinavia   

Editorial Review

Most 31-year olds can't boast of being the instigator of a revolution. But then again, the world's leading promoter of open source software and creator of the operating system Linux does humbly call himself an accidental revolutionary--accidental being the operative word here. Read more

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (67)

Excellent biography of a guy who doesn't know how cool he is.
The title of this book is very fitting, it seems to be the way things happpened. Linus was never a "go-getter" or someone looking to change the world, just a guy who loved programming, and seemed to do it just for fun, as the title implies.
Good Start, Poor finish ... not put together very well
One reason I rated this audio CD so low was the packaging
Reading this book is fun
You'd better be somewhat geek to get the language of this book. It's a fun book. If you are in the IT industry and have affinity for open source and Linux you'd better be reading this book. One thing I did not like is although I *know* Linus is not such a person to *act* as a hero, he is presented to be so. If the book was named ...accidental hero rather than ...accidental revolutionary, I'd not be buying it I guess. But it made me feel a bit like than. Other than that, a very fun book to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Computer programmers    6. Finland    7. General    8. History    9. Operating Systems - Linux    10. Scientists - Inventors    11. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    12. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (4)

Poor home work for Gill
Gill is really superficial in this book. The overall story is quite fascinating, to say the least, but there are so many inaccuracies in the book that it should not have been published at all. I personally found the book unpleasant to read, because Gill had used the Finnish words for the most important terms. And mostly wrong. As a Finn, I find it troubling and makes reading uneasy. It also makes me wonder about other facts which have been presented in this book. I also did not understand why there was a photo of the former president Mauno Koivisto presented but no story attached. Maybe there was a reason?

Excellent topic for a Biography-Superficial Treatment
Soldier Under Three Flags relates the story of Larry Thorne (Lauri Torni) a Finnish soldier who emigrated to the US and had a distinguished career in Special Forces. One might imagine this would be a great subject for a biography but unfortunately, this book does not do justice to its subject. Thorne's Finnish military service is rife with inaccuracies, reflecting some poor research. For instance we read that during the Winter War, "the Scandinavian midnight sun lowered Russian (sic) soldiers morale", and "they disliked the forests...which they called the 'White Death' [Byelo Smert]." Well, "midnight sun" refers to the almost continual sunlight during the SUMMER. No one who's been to Finland in the winter could possibly mistake the almost permanent darkness for the midnight sun. Also, "Byelo Smert" refers to the white uniforms of the SOLDIERS not the forest. Finally, the author is less than fully forthcoming in Torni's association with the Waffen SS.He did attend training as the text describes, but he also fought in the Finnish SS battalion, which was part of the "Nordland" SS Division.In describing Torni's subsequent SF career the author appears more comfortable with the subject matter. However, battles are discussed very generally, with no details on his combat leadership, and there are no stories by those who knew him best-his troops. At best we get variations on, "he was a great soldier, and a great guy" nothing more. Finally, the author needlessly complicates his narrative by referring to Thorne/Torni's by the pseudonyms he used as he changed his name throughout his life; confusing to say the least. As a cursory account of this fascinating character's life this book may be acceptable, but it's basic errors regarding the Winter and Continuation Wars make it suspect for any more than the most basic background.

Fascinating Subject-Superficial Treatment
"Soldier Under Three Flags" attempts to portray the life of US Army Captain Larry Thorne (Lauri Torni). This man is a legend in both the Finnish and American armies; his exploits definitely deserve documentation. Unfortunately, this isn't it. The book is written in a, well, superficial style. Battle scenes on the Eastern Front that would be excellent vehicles to show Torni's maturing leadership and command style are only sketchily covered, and numerous inaccuracies detract from the subject at hand. For example, we read that due to the "Scandinavian (Finland is not technically Scandinavia) midnight sun, dense forest" etc the Russians suffered low morale during the Winter War. Well, I've been in Finland during the winter and there ain't NO sun at all. "Midnight Sun" actually refers to almost continous daylight during the summer. Also, the author can't get simple German phrases accurate:"zu Befehl" does not mean "at once"-that word is "sofort", it literally means, "at (your) orders, and "werewolf" in German is simply "werwolf" not "werwulf". When Captain Thorne emigrates to America, and joins Special Forces, the author seems to be on more comfortable ground, with better flow up to the end of the book. All in all, for a very generalized, and inaccurate in spots, accounting of a Finnish and American patriot, and combat leader this may suffice. The historian however, needs to look elsewhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1919-1965    2. Army    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Finland    6. Finns    7. Germany    8. History    9. Military    10. Military - Other    11. Soldiers    12. Special Forces    13. Torni, Lauri Allan,    14. United States    15. Other warfare & defence issues    16. Special & elite forces    17. Törni, Lauri Allan   

Reviews (6)

Funtastic book!
If you are one those who don�t like boring books, and you like books to show good photografs, this is the book you have to buy about this great architect that ALVAR AALTO was. This book is one of my favourites andbelieve, i have plenty of book is my room. Amazing book and amazingphotografs!

Coffee-table book +
Undoubtedly this is a book of fine photographs and drawings. And for many architects and students that is more than enough. They want to be inspired, and to get a feeling for the material qualities of architecture. Theyindeed need few words. But Weston's book makes a claim to be more thanthat. It claims to be a historical monograph. But we get little sense ofthe strangeness, the Otherness, of Finnish culture. Aalto could more orless be designing anywhere. Reference to Finland is merely stereo-typical"nature". Aalto remains as elusive as ever.

So beautiful as Alvar Aalto�s architecture
I love Alvar Aalto�s architecture and i think this is book contains so beautiful photografs as his architecture is. Richard Weston on the best. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. History - Specific Styles    3. Individual Architect    4. Architecture / Individual Architect    5. Cultural studies    6. Finland    7. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    8. Individual artists   

Subjects:  1. Annexation (International law)    2. Autonomy and independence move    3. Baltic States    4. Dismemberment of states    5. History    6. International    7. International status    8. Law    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Estonia    11. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    12. Finland    13. Latvia    14. Lithuania    15. Political structure & processes    16. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000   

Reviews (6)

The truth at last!
Finally, a book that tells how wonderful Finland, and the Finns, really are as a people - the integrity, the "sisu" (determination), and the advanced way of life. I loved this book and found it a really easy and enjoyable read, as did my 19 year old son.
Good introduction.
A good overview of the background to the social and technological development in Finland during the recent decades. Very precise in describing national characteristics, and how to handle them. Could maybe have stressed more the importance of the concensus mentality in politics and the unique education system, kindergarten to post-graduate.

trumpet tooting
As a native Finn I was actually embarrassed reading the "trumpet tooting" by Lewis in this book, but that seems to prove his experience of the Finnish people, modest, shy but despite this desperately in seeking of recognition from others.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Europe - General    4. Finland    5. History    6. History: World    7. Cultural studies    8. European studies   

Reviews (3)

Finland - in a nutshell
This book provides a brief, but very comprehensive, history of Finland from the bronze age to the twentieth century. I found the extensive details on the early history of Swedish-Finnish expansion extremely helpful, although the book is a bit skimpy on the topic of the Finnish civil war. The book rightfully calls itself a "short" history, but it's a satisfying overview.

ditto
Ditto what the reader from Las Vegas said.It seemed a little bit too thin, but then it is called "A Short History".Given that it is so short, there should have been a little bit less about politicalmachinations and the Left, and the space saved should have been used to saya little bit more about the military history, economics, culture,emigratin, etc.Also, the prose style, while readable, does not sparkle. But these are minor quibbles.For the most part, the book is what itclaims to be.

Finnish History in 170 (!) pages
This book delivers exactly what its title suggests, "A Short History of Finland".From the earliest prehistoric beginnings to the sea-change in Finnish foreign policy with its membership in the EU in '95,this work outlines all significant events in Finnish history.Containsseveral appendices with Tsar Alexander's declaration, petition to theBolshevik government for independence, and the 1948 Treaty of Friendshipand Cooperation.The second edition was completed by a different author,but the revisions are seamless- the reader cannot detect any changes ofstyle or editing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. Finland    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. Finland--History    9. History / Europe / General    10. c 1700 to c 1800    11. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Organic Functionalism
Weston appears to do a very fine job presenting us with the various perspectives of the Villa -- the large living room, entryways, linear wood use, and of course the extraordinary pool and sauna. The integration of text with pictures makes the book accessible to students just beginning to embark on a study of this great Finnish architect. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Domestic    5. Finland    6. History - General    7. Individual Architect    8. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    9. Villa Mairea (Noormarkku, Finl    10. Villa Mairea (Noormarkku, Finland)    11. Aalto, Alvar    12. Architecture / Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    13. Art styles: c 1900 to First World War    14. Criticism and interpretation    15. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Reviews (3)

Picture book of all aspects of Northern War
This is a picture book covering all aspects of the Northern Campaign including the 1939 Russo-Finnish War, the 1940 invasion of Norway, the campaigns in Finland and Karelia from 1941-1944, and all aspects of the naval war in the Barents and Arctic over the same period.As a history of the events and campaigns, this is little more than a brief overview.The topics are so broad and the text so short that only the merest overview is given.All of the information can be found elsewhere, there is virtually nothing new.If you want to know anything about any of the campaigns nominally covered in this work, I strongly recommend that you find other books that are better written and more narrowly focused (such as Trotter's book on the 1939 Winter War or Ziemke's book if you are interested in the Karelia).There are lots of great (and rare) photos in this book, but little more.One thing that really annoyed me about this book was that the authors openly present a strong pro-Soviet bias.This is unacceptable in a scholarly historical publication by two professional historians (both have Ph.D.s).This should have been written with more balance, I can only conclude that this is not a serious work.My rating of three stars is, I believe, generous and I would not disagree with anyone who gave it two.This is a picture book of the Arctic war, and if you are looking for more than this, you will disappointed by this volume.Not recommended for a serious student of the era.

A good primer on the arctic theater in WWII
Hitler's Arctic War is a useful introduction to that theater of WWII.The book starts by covering the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939.Although this seems odd, given the title, it makes sense since strategically that war was important for later actions in Scandinavia.Next, the invasion of Norway is fairly well-covered, although without a lot of detail.
Hitler's Arctic War
I was surprised when I read this book, at the number of errors, inaccuracies, and untruths I found in it. It is painfully apparent that no one with any knowledge of that theater checked this book before it was published.Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Finland    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Military    6. Military - World War II    7. Norway    8. Soviet Union    9. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (2)

A good book about an interesting but obscure topic
I'm sure that I'm not the only student of military and aerospace history that has had enough of the usual subjects: B-17s and P-51s of the 8th Air Force, the invasion of Normandy, panzers and their battles, and so on. What this books offers is information about an unusual subject: Finnish fighter aces in World War II. Good Overview of the Finnish AF in WW2
This book is one of the Osprey Aviation Series.Osprey books are aimed at the model enthusiast and wargamer, with good photos, some color plates, and a concise overview of the subject.This volume is an excellent addition tothe series.Well writtend accounts of the air war in the Winter,Continuation, and Lapland Wars are matched with the aces that flew in thosecampaigns.Appendices have the aces' scores sorted by aircraft flown, 1/72scale line drawings, and thumbnail unit histories.Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: American    4. Military - World War II    5. Air forces & warfare    6. European history: Second World War    7. Finland    8. History / Military / Aviation   

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Architecture    2. Architecture    3. General    4. History - General    5. Architecture / General    6. Finland   

Subjects:  1. Defenses    2. Finland    3. History, Military    4. History: American    5. Military History (General)    6. Military Science    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. History    9. Warfare & Defence   

Features

• Illustrated