Nomonhan - by Alvin D Coox (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From May to September 1939 Japan and the Soviet Union fought a fierce, large-scale undeclared war on the Mongolian plains that ended with a decisive Soviet victory with two important results: Japan reoriented its strategic emphasis towards the south, leading to war with the United States, Britain, and the Netherlands; and Russia freed itself from the fear of fighting on two fronts, thus vitally affecting the course of the war with Germany.

From the Back Cover

'This splendid book gives not only the history of the conflict but sets it against the background of Japanese, Soviet, and world politics, while providing fascinating information on the internal working of the Japanese army prior to the Pacific War.' -Denis Sinor, Journal of Asian History

Review Quotes

"A masterpiece of narrative, documentation, and analysis."
--Alan K. Lathrop
, Military Affairs


"Monumental. . . . The culmination of 35 years of research. . . . The finest English-language study written by a single author on modern Asian military history. Indeed, it is arguably a military history classic of any age and any language."
--Mark R. Peattie
, The American Historical Review


"This splendid book gives not only the history of the conflict but sets it against the background of Japanese, Soviet, and world politics, while providing fascinating information on the internal workings of the Japanese army prior to the Pacific War."
--Denis Sinor
, Journal of Asian History