The Stalin Affair, Giles Milton
The Stalin Affair, Giles Milton
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The Stalin Affair
The Impossible Alliance That Won the War

Author: Giles Milton

Narrator: Giles Milton

Unabridged: 11 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/03/2024


Synopsis

This program is read by the author.

From internationally bestselling historian Giles Milton comes the remarkable true story of the motley group of Allied men and women who worked to manage Stalin’s mercurial, explosive approach to diplomacy during four turbulent years of World War II.

In the summer of 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, shattering what Stalin had considered an ironclad partnership. There were real fears that Stalin’s forces would be defeated or that the Soviet leader would once again strike a deal with Hitler. Either eventuality would spell catastrophe for both Britain and the United States.

Enter W. Averell Harriman: a railroad magnate and, at the start of the war, the fourth-richest man in America. At Roosevelt’s behest he traveled to Britain to serve as a liaison between the president and Churchill and to spearhead what became known as the Harriman Mission. Together with his fashionable young daughter Kathy, an unforgettable cast of British diplomats, and Churchill himself, he would eventually manage to wrangle Stalin into the partnership the Allies needed to defeat Hitler.

Based on unpublished diaries, letters, and secret reports, The Stalin Affair reveals troves of new material about the path to Allied victory, full of vivid scenes between celebrated and infamous World War II figures.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

About Giles Milton

Giles Milton is the million-copy, internationally bestselling author of a dozen works of narrative history. His books have been translated into twenty-five languages. One of Milton’s previous books, Nathaniel’s Nutmeg, is currently being developed into a major screen project. Milton is the writer and narrator of the acclaimed podcast series Cover Up: Ministry of Secrets, produced by Sony. He lives in London and Burgundy.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brendan on July 16, 2024

Giles Milton is so damn good at this. "This" being writing history books that read like fictional dramas. His latest, The Stalin Affair, is as great as I had hoped. Milton looks at the doomed World War II bromance of Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt. For those of you who rolled their eyes at a histo......more

Goodreads review by Susan on July 02, 2024

Excellent, well researched telling of this period of WWII lore. Sometimes the writing read like the author was reciting his notes (a little stiff) but it was very readable and engaging.......more

Goodreads review by David on March 01, 2025

This book recounts how Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt came together to win the war against Hitler and it’s certainly one of the best history books I’ve read. It’s not based on dry facts and figures but on anecdotes and personal information and actual conversations those mentioned below had with Sta......more

Goodreads review by Jensen on August 08, 2024

I received an advanced reader copy of "The Stalin Affair" from Henry Holt publishing's Goodreads giveaway. Thanks very much for the opportunity to review this book! I had mixed reactions while reading this book on the tumultuous relationship between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. The writing itsel......more

Goodreads review by Francis on June 19, 2024

Very interesting Radio 4 book of the week......more


Quotes

“The author ably navigates this complicated narrative, and readers with an interest in political and military history will find it to be an engaging, colorful read. Milton mixes personal details with historical sweep to tell a significant tale.”
Kirkus

“A breezy, boozy romp.”
Publishers Weekly

“At a time when Moscow and Washington stand again at a perilous crossroads, Giles Milton looks back to the brief period when America and the Soviet Union were on the same side during the Second World War. The burgeoning 1940s 'Special Relationship' with Britain is rightly well-known and perhaps well-understood, but Milton's 'in the room' account of the personalities of Moscow sheds much needed light on the other great alliance intent on defeating Hitler. He also reminds us why this most unlikely coalition did not—and could not—survive victory.”
—Sonia Purnell, New York Times bestselling author of A Woman of No Importance

“Another roller-coaster ride from Giles Milton. Endlessly surprising.”
—Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders

“Giles Milton has mined new information to portray a convincing account of the relationship between the Second World War’s ‘Big Three’. This book might read like the screenplay of a gripping movie, yet every word is accurate and verified.”
—Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of Churchill Walking with Destiny