by Hal Lehrman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 24, 1947
Everyone should read this book, for there is the conversion of a liberal from faith in the Soviet to recognition of the Soviet Union and its insatiable greed for expansion as the main threat in the world today. It took him a year of surveying middle Europe- and a return engagement to re-survey the scene- before he was ready to set down what he'd seen. Bitterly opposed to British- and to American- procedure in Greece, he came to realize that rigidity of the left destroys all alternatives except rigidity of the right. He gives most space to Yugoslavia; next to Hungary; then on to Rumania, Bulgaria, -- and in each he sees the same grim pattern repeated, the steps by which the Soviet gains control. He shows the failures of performance in keeping promises; the processes of enfeeblement; the stripping and commercial and industrial sabotage, leaving the countries impotent, terrified, police states. In Czechoslovakia, he felt there was hope of a bastion of democracy in the Soviet orbit -- until the reversal of the vote on the Marshall Plan, under orders from the Kremlin, showed the scheme beginning to work-the Soviet true aim, total domination. The legacy of hatred is too late, The western democracies have failed- in every challenge- to be ready. The way is not to stop Russia by conciliatory discussion, but by straight talk and force. We must keep a strong military defense force; we must have a military training program; we must sponsor a long term plan of European recovery. Greece and Turkey cannot be redeemed by what we are doing, but at least they prove we can implement a policy. The crying need is positive defense of Democracy, not simply just negative work against Communism. The little people of the borders are the pawns of Empire- the plan is on to Austria, through to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.....An absorbing and convincing book, the more so, in that -- as a Liberal, critical of the home front, he saw and was convinced himself. His aim- to persuade Liberals to reexamine their positions- is fully realized. And the book has color and drama and a sense of people, living under Soviet domination.
Pub Date: Nov. 24, 1947
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Appleton-Century
Review Posted Online: N/A
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1947
Categories: NONFICTION
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.