"Milton turns this true story of high politics into an addictive, gossipy, alcohol-fueled, action-packed thriller that sweeps the reader effortlessly through the ups -- and downs -- of the alliance." --Mark Piesing, The Spectator World "Grippingly entertaining. Unlike most books about war, it is serious history, yet light as a feather." --Andrew Preston, The Times Literary Supplement " The Stalin Affair is a good read--notably so if you want to know what the leaders had to drink." --Jeremy Black, The Wall Street Journal "This is one of the slimmest books about this alliance but a worthy entry into its historiography." --Kevin Winter, Seattle Book Review (5 out of 5 stars) "The author ably navigates this complicated narrative, and readers with an interest in political and military history will find it to be an engaging, colorful read. Milton mixes personal details with historical sweep to tell a significant tale." -- Kirkus Reviews "A breezy, boozy romp.

" -- Publishers Weekly "In addition to relying on a vast archive of official records of events, Milton also uses accounts written by some of the less prominent observers of this political alliance which brings a sense of immersion and immediacy to the book. Outstanding writing and research make The Stalin Affair an authoritative and lively account that shows how despite tensions, strong egos and different approaches to leadership, these unlikely partners worked together to win the war." -- BookPage "The story of Churchill and Roosevelt coming to terms with Stalin has often been told, but historian Milton here focuses beyond these three outsized figures to their subalterns. By bringing these indispensable people and others out of their titanic leaders' shadows, Milton humanizes what is often lost in the grand sweep of history." -- Booklist "At a time when Moscow and Washington stand again at a perilous crossroads, Giles Milton looks back to the brief period when America and the Soviet Union were on the same side during the Second World War. The burgeoning 1940s 'Special Relationship' with Britain is rightly well-known and perhaps well-understood, but Milton's 'in the room' account of the personalities of Moscow sheds much needed light on the other great alliance intent on defeating Hitler. He also reminds us why this most unlikely coalition did not--and could not--survive victory." --Sonia Purnell, New York Times bestselling author of A Woman of No Importance "Another roller-coaster ride from Giles Milton.

Endlessly surprising." --Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders "Giles Milton has mined new information to portray a convincing account of the relationship between the Second World War's 'Big Three'. This book might read like the screenplay of a gripping movie, yet every word is accurate and verified." --Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of Churchill Walking with Destiny.