In "World War II: Behind Closed Doors", award-winning documentary-maker and historian Laurence Rees brings us a gripping new history of World War II - one that is full of surprises, even for those who think they know the history. Drawing on material only available since the opening of archives in the East, Rees re-examines the key decisions made by Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt during the war. And as the truth about Stalin's earlier friendly relationship with the Nazis is laid bare, a devastating and surprising picture of the Soviet leader emerges - one that is deeply embarrassing for many Russians.The emotional core of the book is the amazing new testimony obtained from nearly a hundred separate witnesses from the period. Former Soviet secret policemen talk frankly for the first time about their repressive work; Allied seamen reveal how they braved the Arctic convoys; and Red Army veterans talk of how they killed Germans in hand-to-hand fighting on the Eastern Front.
Accompanying a major six-part BBC2 history series, this enthralling narrative is a mix of high politics - including the inside story of the Allies' meetings at Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam - and the dramatic personal experiences of those on the ground who bore the consequences of their decisions.
- ISBN10 0563493356
- ISBN13 9780563493358
- Publish Date 16 October 2008
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 5 November 2009
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher BBC Consumer Publishing
- Imprint BBC Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 448
- Language English