Keywords: World War II, Viktor Suvorov, Soviet Union, Stalin, communism, Hitler
"It sometimes happens that the most significant historical works are virtually ignored by the mainstream press, and consequently reach few readers. Such is the case with many revisionist studies, including this important work by a former Soviet military intelligence officer who defected to the West in 1978. Even before the appearance of this book, he had already established a solid reputation with the publication of five books, written under the pen name of Viktor Suvorov, on the inner workings of the Soviet military, and particularly its intelligence operations.
In Icebreaker Suvorov takes a close look at the origins and development of World War II in Europe, and in particular the background to Hitler's 'Operation Barbarossa' attack against the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. Since its original publication in Russian (entitled Ledokol) in France in 1988, it has been published in an astonishing 87 editions in 18 languages. In spite of its importance to the historical record, Icebreaker has received very little attention in the United States. The few reviews that have appeared here have been almost entirely brief and dismissive -- a shameful treatment that reflects the cowardice and intellectual irresponsibility of a 'politically correct' scholarly establishment.
According to the conventional view, Hitler's perfidious attack abruptly forced a neutral and aloof Soviet Russia into war. This view further holds that a surprised Stalin had naively trusted the deceitful German Fьhrer. Rejecting this view as political propaganda, Suvorov shows Stalin's personal responsibility for the war's outbreak and progression. Above all, this book details the vast Soviet preparations for an invasion of Europe in the summer of 1941 with the goal of Sovietizing central and western Europe. Suvorov is not alone in his view. It is also affirmed by a number of non-Russian historians, such as American scholar R. H. S. Stolfi in his 1991 study Hitler's Panzers East: World War II Reinterpreted (reviewed by me in the Nov.-Dec. 1995 Journal).
In spite of rigid Soviet censorship, Suvorov has succeeded in digging up many nuggets of valuable information from publicly available Soviet writings that confirm his central thesis. Icebreaker is based on the author's meticulous scouring of such published sources as memoirs of wartime Soviet military leaders, and histories of individual Soviet divisions, corps, armies, fleets, and air units."
Link
Source: Journal of Historical Review
The book of the century
Alexander Chaihorsky reviews Viktor Suvorov's ideas:
"I think Suvorov's book(s) on the history of WW2 should be called the 'Book of the 20th Century' and he himself should be awarded a Nobel Price. Singlehandedly, this man wiped off the camouflage image that was painted over the real picture of how and who started the WW2 and he did that by pioneering a new approach in history studies - studying the obvious.
But the WW2 winners club is not very happy with his findings so it was almost impossible to find his books in English, since the whole Hamish Hamilton edition was quickly destroyed (but tens of millions sold in Russian, German, Polish, French).
I bought my copy several years ago from the estate sale of the late US Marines 4 star general. I paid twenty bucks.
However during past several years the interest for this book literally soared and today this is one of the most sought after books about WW2 history. Today you have to shell out several hundred bucks to enjoy your copy of 'Icebreaker' in English.
In my opinion the mere fact that a book on WW2 history achieved such a price frenzy is amazing. Several books were written to smear the author's reputation and discredit his findings (like Gorodetsky's book) - you can buy them for few bucks and make up your own mind. I wish Suvorov's brilliant rebuttal of Gorodetsky's book will be translated into English some day.
If you have not read yet this book I envy you - you are about to read the most interesting, the most brilliantly researched and the most sensational book on the most important event of 20th century and how it was camouflaged into something completely different for after-war public consumption. After this book your level of trust for the 'free press', government propaganda and official history will be shattered.
And its a good thing, if you ask me."
Link
Source: Amazon.com
Blogs:
Icebreaker (Excerpts) by Victor Suvorov - nobs
See also:
Victor Suvorov - Journal for Historical Review
Photos:
World War 2 Pictures In Color
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