1939: The Alliance That Never Was and the Coming of World War II

Michael Carley examines the failed diplomatic efforts between Britain, France, and the Soviet Union in the months leading up to World War II. His analysis focuses on the complex negotiations and missed opportunities for an alliance that could have deterred Nazi Germany's aggression. The book draws on diplomatic archives and primary sources from all three nations to reconstruct the day-by-day developments of 1939. Political tensions, mutual suspicion, and conflicting strategic priorities emerge as key factors in the inability of these powers to form an effective coalition. The narrative tracks parallel diplomatic missions in London, Paris, and Moscow during a critical period when the future of Europe hung in the balance. Military talks and political discussions interweave as the clock ticks toward September 1939. This work raises fundamental questions about how nations pursue their perceived self-interest and the consequences of diplomatic failure. The lessons about alliance-building and great power relations remain relevant to international relations today.

Readers commend Carley's thorough research into diplomatic archives and his detailed examination of the failed Anglo-French-Soviet negotiations. Many note his clear presentation of evidence that challenges conventional views about Soviet intentions in 1939. Liked: - Documentation of diplomatic exchanges between Britain, France, and USSR - Analysis of Poland's role in blocking potential alliance - Insight into Chamberlain government's anti-Soviet bias Disliked: - Dense diplomatic detail can be overwhelming - Some readers feel Carley is too sympathetic to Soviet position - Limited coverage of military aspects Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (11 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Excellent use of primary sources but gets bogged down in minutiae" - Goodreads reviewer "Changes perspective on who's responsible for failure of alliance talks" - Amazon reviewer "Too much focus on diplomatic cables and memos" - LibraryThing review

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🔹 While Britain and France conducted negotiations with the Soviet Union in 1939, they sent low-ranking diplomats without full negotiating powers, while the USSR sent Foreign Minister Molotov - signaling a stark difference in how seriously each side took the talks. 🔹 Michael Carley gained access to previously untapped Soviet archives after they were opened in the 1990s, allowing him to present the Soviet perspective of the 1939 negotiations in unprecedented detail. 🔹 The book reveals that Stalin was willing to commit over 70 divisions to fight against Hitler in 1939 if Britain and France agreed to a mutual defense pact, significantly more forces than either Western power was prepared to deploy. 🔹 The failed Anglo-French-Soviet negotiations in 1939 took place while both sides were secretly conducting parallel talks with Nazi Germany, with neither fully trusting the other's intentions. 🔹 The work challenges the common narrative that the Soviet Union was always intent on signing with Germany, showing instead that Moscow pursued an anti-Hitler coalition with the West for several years before the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.