THE LAST DAY OF THE OLD WORLD

by Adrian Ball ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 23, 1963

The author spotlights men and events around the world in this 24-hour account of the day Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany, in fulfillment of their Mutual Assistance Pact with Poland. The aura of a world which vanished for food on September 3, 1939 is recreated by the author who adds immediacy to his story by the skillful use of anecdotes. The tragic gallantry of the Polish cavalry charging German tanks comes vividly to life; we catch frantic glimpses of the Swede ahlerus telephoning Berlin, London and Paris in a desperate one-man attempt to avert WW II, and we sense the Germans' shocked surprise at the British ultimatum -- they had expected another Munich over the Polish settlement. Most shocked of all was Admiral Raeder who had based German Naval plans on Hitler's assurance that he had until 1945 to prepare. The book is treated strictly as an account of what was going on at that time, not an attempt at analysis. A good popular version the Jim Bishop manner.

Pub Date: Aug. 23, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION