1940 the avalanche Author:richard collier 40 years have passed since the tumultuous events of 1940 shattered the old world order. The outcome of this fateful year is directly connected to our time. The old empire began their slow but inevitable collapse, only to be replaced with new imperial presences. The greatest war in human history slowly obscured the lights of civilation and hope f... more »or millions.
Richard Collier has given us a detailed account of this pivotal year. The stage extends from the North Cape to the shores of the Mediterranean, from Washington to Berlin, from China to Japan, to the scene of that grim "little war," the arctic silence of Finland.The participants include Churchill, Roosevelt, Hitler, and Stalin, who are examined alongside a memorable assembly of "ordinary" people from many countries, individuals who were the real heros of this time and torment. The legendary events of 1940 are brought to life-FDR's precarious balancing act between statuory American neutrality and his firm belief that the United States will play the decisive role in the world war; the triumph of the dictators and the tragedy of Europe's collapse under the weight of Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin's cynical realpolitik; the miracle of Dunkirk and Battle of Britian-to form a compelling narrative that illuminates the lessons of this year of hope and despair.« less