Description: "In the summer of 1941, Hitler did the unthinkable: he invaded the Soviet Union, shattering what Stalin had until then considered an ironclad partnership. It was a shocking, urgent turning point in the war, in the wake of which a team of British and American men and women were assembled with one central goal: to keep the Red Army fighting on the Eastern Front. ... Enter 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 him and Churchill and 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 managed to wrangle Stalin into the partnership the Allies needed to finally defeat Hitler"--
Brief description: 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.
Review Quotes:
"Milton turns this true story of high politics into an addictive, gossipy, alcohol-fueled, action-packed thriller that sweeps the reader effortlessly through the ups -- and downs -- of the alliance."
--Mark Piesing, The Spectator World
--Andrew Preston, The Times Literary Supplement "The Stalin Affair is a good read--notably so if you want to know what the leaders had to drink."
--Jeremy Black, The Wall Street Journal "This is one of the slimmest books about this alliance but a worthy entry into its historiography."
--Kevin Winter, Seattle Book Review (5 out of 5 stars) "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 Reviews "A breezy, boozy romp."
--Publishers Weekly "In addition to relying on a vast archive of official records of events, Milton also uses accounts written by some of the less prominent observers of this political alliance which brings a sense of immersion and immediacy to The Stalin Affair. . . . Outstanding writing and research make The Stalin Affair an authoritative and lively account that shows how despite tensions, strong egos and different approaches to leadership, these unlikely partners worked together to win the war."
--BookPage (starred review) "The story of Churchill and Roosevelt coming to terms with Stalin has often been told, but historian Milton here focuses beyond these three outsized figures to their subalterns. . . . By bringing these indispensable people and others out of their titanic leaders' shadows, Milton humanizes what is often lost in the grand sweep of history."
--Booklist "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