Battle of the Arctic - by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author comes the spellbinding, fiercely told story of the deadly Arctic campaign of World War II.

Battle of the Arctic is a wonderfully evocative history and largely unknown saga of World War II. As the Soviet Union played its role in the conflict, Ally convoys from Britain, the United States, and Iceland fought to deliver essential supplies to Russia. In a clash of extreme elements--as well as fierce Axis opposition--the effort demonstrated an unparalleled commitment from Allied nations to supporting the Soviet Union.

This story follows not just the American and British navies and its successful efforts to shepherd ships through storms and past floating icebergs. It also tells a part of history that has never been properly understood by the reading public. This involves the forgotten heroes of the Arctic convoys: the officers, armed guards, and the ordinary civilian seamen, mostly from Britain and America--but also from Holland, Norway, Russia and Poland--condemned to carry on steaming their ships slowly through the icy waters to Russia, even though they knew that at any moment they might be sunk.

Battle of the Arctic is a thrilling, revelatory historical narrative that will leave you thankful to be on dry ground.

Review Quotes

"Magisterial, exemplary, heartbreaking. So original is the material, and so inventive is Sebag-Montefiore's approach--telling each stage of the fight from the perspective of both the combatants and their families back home--that this well-known tale is rendered strange again. Written with great style and sensitivity, superbly illustrated with many original plates and beautifully drawn maps, Sebag- Montefiore's brilliant new study will set the benchmark for a generation."-- "Saul David, The Daily Telegraph"

"Sebag-Montefiore's combination of thoughtful analysis with first-hand testimony from army soldiers, cameramen and diarists lends a gritty immediacy."-- "Ian Thomson, Observer (London)"

"The best historians of the war have always made good use of the words written by the participants themselves, but few have done so as effectively as here. A moving record."-- "The Daily Mail"

Praise for Hugh Sebag-Montefiore's Somme: Into the Breach:

"Having read almost everything that is written on this battle, I can vouch that this is the best account yet. Sebag-Montefiore deserves congratulation for restoring humanity to this battle."-- "Gerard DeGroot, The Times (London)"

About the Author

Hugh Sebag-Montefiore is a highly respected journalist and historian. He has written for the London Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, Observer, Independent on Sunday, and Mail on Sunday. He is the author of three bestselling history books published in Britain, two about World War II--Enigma: The Battle for the Code and Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man--and one about World War I: Somme: Into the Breach. Hugh lives in England.