Finland was truly 'between a rock and a hard place' between the world wars by having Russia and Germany so close and so aggressive towards their neighbors. The Winter War was a lesser-known conflict between Finland and Soviet Russia between the two major world wars. Hourly History added so much to the tale by giving specifics and telling the fascinating tale of the 'Molotov Cocktail.'

Molotov, a Russian official, went on the radio promising that the Russians were dropping food, not bombs by air, for the starving Finns. The Finns shot back that they could tell the difference between food and bombs. Then the Finns started calling the bombs they made (from a bottle, fuel, and a rag stuck in the bottleneck) -- Molotov Cocktails, 'a drink to go with his food parcels.'

This story shows that the Finns were vastly outnumbered and out-munitioned. However, they had some advantages (knowledge of their difficult topography, experience in their difficult winters, fighting for their homeland, high morale, etc.) and they used them to the fullest. However, huge numbers of Soviet troops eventually wore the Finns down.

Then, this book shows the tightrope the Finns have walked, hoping to stay independent, without incurring Russia's lustful eyes on their homeland.

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