Some people complained about excess of diplomatic proceedings and machinations in the book. I for one found this information very useful for understanding various stages of the conflict. Quite the contrary, a simple description of butchery would have definitely left much to be desired. Plus you'll get the taste of battle proper as soon as you reach the middle of the book. Should you crave for it, just fast forward half a book.

All the more impressive is the fact that it's author's first proper book written in a scholarly fashion, with lots of relevant footnotes and references. Something you wouldn't expect from someone, who previously wrote on...British racing of all things! (Stirling Moss, Aston Martin).

A book describing the remarkable story of how rural Finland, one of the least populated nations in the world, & totally outnumbered by its invading neighbour stood up to the military might of the USSR November 1939 - March 40 (the freezing Arctic Winter of the title), & for several months not only held the Red Army at bay, but actually inflicted brutally high casualties on the Communist hordes & in places forced it into humiliating retreat.
Inevitably the vast numerical superiority of the Russians & the limited reserves of men & weapons possessed by the Finns (while the West spouted support, but imposed an arms embargo) eventually forced Finland's Govnt to the negotiating table & an extremely harsh Peace Treaty. ( )