Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy

by Jonathan Clements

Baron Gustaf Mannerheim was one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century, and the only man to be decorated by both sides in both World Wars. As a Finnish officer in Russian service, he witnessed the coronation of the last Tsar, and was both reprimanded for foolhardiness and decorated for bravery in the Russo-Japanese War. He spent two years undercover in Asia as an agent in the 'Great Game', posing as a Swedish anthropologist. He crossed China on horseback, stopping en route to teach the 13th Dalai Lama how to shoot with a pistol, and spying on the Japanese navy on his way home. He escaped the Bolsheviks by the skin of his teeth in 1917, arriving in the newly independent Finland just in time to lead the anti-Bolshevik forces in the local revolt and civil war. During Finland's darkest hour, he lead the defence of his country against the impossible odds of the Winter War. This major new life of Gustaf Mannerheim, the first to be published for over a decade, includes new historical material on Mannerheim's time in China.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, World War II, European History, War, Russia

330 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jonathan Clements is an author, translator, biographer and scriptwriter. His non-fiction works include biographies of Confucius, Marco Polo, Mao Zedong, Koxinga and Qin Shihuangdi. He also writes for NEO magazine and is the co-author of encyclopedias of anime and Japanese television dramas.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

 A complex man

This review is from: Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy (Kindle Edition)

This and the abridged translations of J.E.O. Screen's mult-volume work are the best English language biographies of the Marshal of Finland which I have read. Clements writes of Mannerheim the man, not just the one dimensional, larger than life hero and legend. The work is both scholarly and easy to read. There is more information on Mannerheim's mission to Asia on behalf of Imperial Russia than in any other easily accessible English language source of which I am aware.

Fine biography of a pivotal figure of the post WWI era and of WWII and its aftermath. Arguably the greatest Scandinavian statesman since Gustaf Vasa and the greatest Scandinavian military commander since Gustaf Adolf. (Some may argue for Charles XII of Sweden. However my reading is that Charles was some sort of tactical genius but a strategic moron. See FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY by Charles M. Fair.)

[Geevee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Clements has written a very good biography of Gustav Mannerheim, Finland's great marshal and president.

The detail here provides some fascinating information of his early years, especially the period as per the book's subtitle as soldier and spy, as the reader learn of Mannerheim's career in the army of Imperial Russia (Finland is at this stage a Grand Duchy).

He serves in a elite cavalry regiment and sees war service in Russo-Japan war of 1904-05 and then after further service post-war is then sent to gather information (spying) on Chinese and Japanese deployments, fortifications and other useful military intelligence. This first chunk of the book provides good detail on these travels and the places he sees, including the many trials and tribulations suffered by Mannerheim and his team, as well as those he meets and talks to.

The first-world war and the immediate aftermath of the Russian revolution is also felt by Mannerheim as he is at this point serving in the Imperial army. He is at risk personally like other officers and he makes wise decisions or indeed sometimes has substantial luck that sees him return to Finland.

The years prior to the Second World War sees Mannerheim in and out of public life as the internal politics continues to split Finland into, simplistically white and reds; those same divisions of the 1917 and immediate years after the Russian revolution that surround Finnish independence and then the civil war. These events are also well covered by Mr Clements.

As the twenties gives way to the 30s, Mannerheim can see war coming: be that with Russia or indeed as a wider war as Germany resurrects its military forces, as as such calls for rearmament and recognition of the threats. As we see across Europe many governments are slow to recognise or are unwilling to invest in military capability.

The years 1939-46 see Mannerheim once again taking centre stage as the Winter War with Russia tales place in late 1939 to early 1940, leading to some loss of territory and the Moscow Treaty to end hostilities. Rather like Russia today, we see Russian intimidating Finland with trying to snatch territory, minerals and creating political noise. Notably, the Russians' shoot down a Finnish civilian aeroplane creating an incident with the aim of securing papers carried by a French diplomat.
Again, Mannerheim works hard to led his country and military as Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Armed Forces, and then post treaty to plan and prepare for the complexities of facing Russia and that which a strident Nazi Germany brings, especially as the Continuation War commences against Russia days after the German invasion of Russia. This war sees Finland actively fighting Russia through to September 1944, and whilst Finland and Mannerheim make clear to Hitler and the Western allies, that Germany and Finland have the same enemy but are not allies.

With hostilities ended in September 1944, Finland turns its mind to what next, including how they will deal with a victorious Russia as a neighbour. These latter years see Mannerheim remain central to Finnish public life, notably as President (1944-46), and then with ill-health impacting on him he resigned the position of president in September 1946 to live out his days away from the "stress of public life". He writes his memoirs and does some work on his notes and findings from China and finally after further health problems, at the age of 83, he dies in early 1951.

Throughout the book, Mr Clements keeps the reader interested with a scholarly book that has a lively text often reading like an adventure story. There are also many black and white photos of Mannerheim.

Recommended for any reader interested the Russo-Japan war, Russia and WWI, Russia and Finnish relations in and out of war, especially WWII, and for students or indeed those starting out (like me) on Finnish history.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I am sure I posted a review of this book back when I read it in 2021 - but I can't find it so I have written a new one - my apologies to anyone who read my previous review - September 2023)

In the years between WWI and WWII Europe was awash with potential 'saviours'. Men with a taste for uniforms, grandiose titles and spouting messianic clap-trap were to be seen everywhere. They might be ridiculous like 'King' Zog of Albania and 'admiral' Horthy the 'regent' of the landlocked kingdom' of Hungary; 'fathers' of their country like Jozef Pilsudski or creatures of nightmare out of the id like Stalin and Hitler but none of them after 'saving' their countries ever to acted like Cincinnatus or George Washington declared their job done and handed over power to others and retired to civilian life. But in the midst of this shower of self-serving mediocrities who almost all led their countries down paths of defeat and shame one man did just that, fought to preserve the freedom of his country, twice, and stepped down so ordinary men and women could decide to create a country were men like him would have no role and that man was Baron Gustav von Mannerheim.

I have always found Mannerheim a fascinating character, a scion of the Baltic German/Swedish nobility, as an officer in the chevalier guards regiment, you can see him on grainy ancient newsreel film on the left hand of Emperor Nicholas II escorting him at his coronation in 1894. It was, he always said, the greatest moment in his life. Mannerheim was the only successful 'White' general in the Russian Civil War and played a pivotal role in Finland's complex wars against, and relations with, the Soviet Union. Mannerheim's qualities can best be seen when contrasted with another scion of Baltic German/Swedish nobility who rose to notoriety in the Russian Civil War, the bloody/mad Baron von Ungern-Sternberg. While Mannerheim helped forge an independent, democratic and socialist leaning Finland, Ungern-Sternberg tried to reestablish the Mongol empire and launched a quixotic invasion of Bolshevik Russia to restore 'emperor' Michael II*.

So what of this book? It is a fascinating account of Mannerheim and his career although concentrating, and providing new information in English, about Mannerheim's explorations in China, meetings with the 13th Dali Lama and various spying activities, such as on the Japanese navy, during 1906-1909. It is well written, has excellent maps and photographs. What it lacks, is what Mannerheim ultimately lacks, any real colour or character that can make you seize on and love the man. It is easy to admire him, respect him, but love him? Most of everything I have said about him is praise of what he was not. What he was, honourable, decent, a man of principle one of the last great paladins of nobility and a worthy claimant to Cincinnatus's laurels but how many reading this review know who Cincinnatus was? If this excellent account lacks zing it is because Mannerheim himself lacks zing - even amongst young Finnish people Mannerheim is almost completely unknown - for a brief moment interest in him increased in 2008 when a play 'Uralin Perhonen' (Butterfly of the Urals) a short, beautifully made puppet animation by Katariina Lillqvist suggested that Mannerheim returned from Asia with a Kirghiz catamite. Of course he didn't, but I think the interest it aroused shows not so much a lack of respect amongst young Finns but a desire to find a human aspect to their national hero.

I think Mannerheim as a man, his life and times within the history of Finland and Russia are well worth reading about, maybe more so now than when this book was published in 2009. Then it seemed the days of Russian aggression towards former Soviet and Imperial territories was a thing of the past not so today and, though I doubt they will broadcast it, I have no doubt that the old Finnish border defences first created by Mannerheim are even now being strengthened and new ones built.

*'Emperor' Michael II, the younger brother of Nicholas II, had been dead for three years, at the time of Ungern-Sternberg campaign of restoration shot days before his brother and family in Yekaterinburg and other relations in Apaleysk in 1918. Michael never wanted to be emperor and would have hated the idea of blood being spilt to put him on the throne.

[Calzean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear and concise biography on a most amazing man. Mannerheim lived a life that you would have thought came out of a Clive Cussler novel. As such the adventures and achievements of Mannerheim makes this biography interesting, relatively short (when considering all what he did) and written for non-academics. It is not a dry read and provides lots of additional reading references if you want to delve further. Thoroughly enjoyable and a good way to understand Finland's history (plus some of Russia, Japan, and China) from the 1880s to 1950.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy.

Excellent account of one of modern history's most pivotal figures. Mannerheim's shrewd geopolitical, or at least regional, knowledge was the key to his success. He often anticipated life changing developments before they occurred and knew when to stay in his post or remove himself from a situation.

He is a true Finnish hero, even though that is certainly not the path he expected his life to take. A man always ready for a challenge and someone who knew when a battle was worth fighting and when it was not.

[Czarny Pies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written and researched like a novel by an author totally unqualified for the task, "Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy" is a joy to read and surprisingly insightful. Jonathan Clement's area of expertise is Manga; his PhD thesis was on the Japanese animé industry and he has translated over 70 Manga comic books into English. His connection to Mannerheim appears to reside in the fact that his wife is from Finland.
Despite this improbable background Clement's book is excellent. His approach is to tell the story of a Swedish nobleman born in the Tsarist Empire rather than to analyze the history of Finland. Mannerheim was a member of the Swedish nobility of the Grand Duchy of Finland which existed between 1809 and 1917 as an autonomous dominion of Tsarist Russia. While some of his relatives were attracted to the emerging Finnish nationalist movement, Mannerheim was unreservedly committed to the Tsar. Choosing a military career, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant-General before the Tsar was overthrown in 1917.
With the Tsarist Empire no longer in existence, Mannerheim chose to embrace the cause of the new nation of Finland. He led the White military forces during the Finish Civil War of 1918 and acted as regent of Finland from 1918 to 1919. He served as Commander in Chief of Finland's military forces during World War II and briefly held the office of President of Finland form 1944 to 1946. Effectively, Mannerheim founded the state of Finland at the WWI and prevented it from being absorbed back into Russia during WWII.
Clements gives Mannerheim's remarkable political and military career cursory treatment. He makes no effort to analyze communist policy towards Finland during either war. Clements acknowledges that Mannerheim could never have held onto to power in Finland because of his extreme right-wing views and hostility towards democracy but does not attempt at any point to examine either socialist or communist politics in Finland.
What Edwards does do brilliantly is to describe the life of a nobleman from a remote province of the Tsar's empire who rises through the ranks of the Russian military and then converts to the cause of Finland when the Tsar's regime falls in 1917. The politicians of Finland feared in 1918 and 1919 that Mannerheim's first loyalty was still to Romanov's and that he might try to attack Russian territory with Finland's army in an effort to restore the Tsarist regime. During WWII, Mannerheim allied Finland with Nazi Germany as he needed assistance against the Russian invader.
The longest and best section of the book is one in which Clements describes a spying mission that Mannerheim undertook between 1906 and 1908 along the Silk Route of northern china. Posing as a Swedish ethnographer Mannerheim travelled in the company of a French archeological expedition in order to assess the military strength of China in its territories bordering Russia's empire. In this section, Clements uses his knowledge of Asia to brilliantly portray the reactions of a European military man to Asian society and culture. Clements also presents a fascinating picture of the personal conflict between the Mannerheim and the French archeologist whose research expedition was providing the cover for his espionage.
While Clements touches only the surface of Mannerheim's political and military career in this very short book but he gives a wonderful look inside the man. "Mannerheim: President, Solider, Spy" is very quick read but one that is very worthwhile.

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely fascinating person.

The book was recommended by a friend who lives in Finland and I was not a all disappointed.

[Aditya Kelekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would joke with my friend back home in India that one day I would be the Finnish President. While practicing Finnish I would explain to my friend the numerous oddities in the Finnish language, and the joke was born out of the language-learning difficulties. Surely, a Finnish president would be expected to know his Finnish inside out and I was quite sure that it would take me a lifetime of learning to get the hang of the language, making it well nigh impossible to contest for the president's post. Imagine my surprise then when I found that one of the most storied Presidents of Finland, Mannerheim, was able to speak Finnish fluently only when he was in his sixties!

In this biography Jonathan Clements has researched well to piece together Mannerheim's life in the varied roles of soldier, spy, revolutionist and president, during those crucial years of Finland's nation-building task.

Mannerheim's life is closely interwoven with Finland's fate through its struggle for independence and the civil war. But what is truly remarkable is that the connection continues even on the sets of the second world war, almost two decades later. It is said that Mannerheim was destined to live in interesting times but there is more to it than the mere fact that Mannerheim found himself at the helm of the military. Mannerheim prepared himself in different ways throughout his days with the Russian military. Many examples are peppered throughout the text. For instance, even when there was no action on the front, he pushed the unit he was governing to do drills that kept them busy. His map-drawing skills, which he honed on his trip as a spy to China, come in handy during a battle with the Japanese; the better knowledge of the region's contours help Mannerheim and his men gain the upper hand.

While in the service of the Tsar’s Russian Imperial Army, Mannerheim is assigned a secret mission to evaluate China’s military preparedness. The task requires him to travel on horseback for several days on end, a journey that he undertakes in the company of a French historian. The two don't get along well. Clement’s artful narration of the incidences brought out through the juxtaposition of the relevant pages of the diaries of the two explorers gives an amusing account of the mudslinging that follows. But this chapter in the book also serves to give a description of Mannerheim from someone who observed him from close range. Mannerheim's inability to compromise and make amends ensures that the two never patch up; ironically, though, it is this same trait that gives Mannerheim's voice an edge of authority during the turbulent times of Finland's independence.

As might be expected in the life history of a general who only reluctantly acceded to democracy, Mannerheim's career in Finland had its ups and downs. The Russian revolution jump-starts his career, but before he can arrive on the Finnish stage, he has to escape Saint Petersburg from the clutches of the Bolsheviks who are braying for blood of high-ranking officials such as Mannerheim. In a series of close encounters with the guards, Mannerheim manages to hide his true identity. When questioned by the revolutionaries as to why his boots bear military insignia, his mask nearly slips but his presence of mind rescues him. "These days a man is lucky to have any boots at all," says Mannerheim. The ruse works.

Biographies are made more difficult because it is often difficult to ascertain the exact conditions that shaped the events of a day way back in time. To that end, Clements seems to have done a great job in his research. For instance despite the might of the Russian army, it was severely unprepared for the Japanese-Russian war, putting the lives of generals such as Mannerheim at great risks. The reasons for the blight that the Tsar's army suffered could even be traced to the work of Japanese spies working in Western Europe. The right context helps bring the reader closer to the scene of action, and Clement provides this.

If you want to read the book to learn from history, you won't be disappointed. Remember Marie Antoine who famously said, "if they don't have bread, let them eat cake"? .. and the fate she met on account of her disconnect with the people. In the case of Nicholas II, the Tsar of Russia (in whose army Mannerheim served), it is not hunger but heaps of dead bodies of his subjects that he chooses to summarily erase from his mind. Thousands of Russian peasants, on hearing that the Tsar's coronation will be accompanied with the distribution of treasures to citizens, assemble at a massive party but due to bad planning many die in a stampede. Even as hundreds of families mourn, the Tsar dances at a ball. Such apparent insensitivity may have ultimately cost the Tsar his life.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy (Haus Publishing) by Jonathan Clements is an excellent 2012 biography of one of the most important Nordic figures of the 20th century and the godfather of independent Finland. Decorated by both sides in both World Wars, Gustaf Mannerheim was a Swedish-speaking Finn who became a senior officer in the Russian cavalry for two decades. He explored Manchuria and China as a spy after the Russo-Japanese War before narrowly escaping the Bolsheviks and escaping back to Finland. He then led this new country along the tightrope of fighting Russia with the assistance of Nazi Germany while distancing themselves before the war ended; the enemy of my enemy is my friend, writ large. However, it was Mannerheim’s role in leading Finland’s remarkable, against massive odds, defiance in the Winter War with Russia that he is revered for in Finland, and with very good reason.

[Aleksander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haarav ülevaade soome marssal Mannerheimist, hästi kirjutatud ja kergelt loetav, samas pakutav sisu on äärmiselt hariv ja tegemist on kindlasti põneva lugemisega igale ajaloohuvilisele. Antud juhul on tegemist biograafiaga, nii et Talvesõja süvaanalüüsi või Mannerheimi otsuste järkjärgulist lahkamist siit otsida ei maksa, õigupoolest moodustab Talve ja Jätkusõja periood raamatust vaid viimased ca 20-30 lehekülge. See eest on põhjalikult käsitletud Mannerheimi teenistust Vene tsaari ratsaväes ja hiljem ka spioonina Hiinas ja Jaapanis seiklemas. Iseenesestmõista käsitletakse ka marssali tegevust Valgekaardi juhina, samuti peatutakse väikerahvaste seisundil Vene tsaaririigis enne I maailmasõda. Tulemuseks on teos, mis loob poolmüütilisest Põhjala sangarist tervikliku ja ka väga inimliku pildi. Tõeliselt mõnus lugemine.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was good, well-written, and I struggled to put it down sometimes. It is ambitious in trying to cover the whole of Mannerheim's life in one novel, and I did feel that this book only truly scratches the service.

[Catiline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography. Could’ve done with more dates and maps, but it still does a fine job of condensing one of the most full lives of any 20th Century leader into a readable account.

[Stephen Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good biography of the life of probably the most famous Finnish person. Worth a read if history is your thing.

[Dean MacKinnon-Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Thoroughly enjoyable read.

I'd call this biography a fantastic way of introducing oneself to the subject of Mannerheim, the man, the politician, the war leader & traveller. It doesn't delve into lots of details about the more recent controversies about his life. Indeed the author barely mentions (doesn't deign to address) recent scholarly works promoting the hypothesis that he was gay. Maybe this is suggestive of the authors own views on such modern hypotheses, but an outright discussion and/or rejection on some of the more recent discourse about him would have been welcomed.

Yet, despite that, this is a page-turner. The author really draws out the amazing life of a truly unique individual. A spy, a traveller, a man who taught a dalai lama how to shoot a pistol...truly remarkable.

If history & historical personalities is your bag this is a must read. Expect to hammer through this with delight in short order. It will leave you hungering for more reading material on Mannerheim.

[Monica Hörnfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and comprehensive book on the life of Mannerheim. Although covering his life story, the author focus on his early career within the Russian cavalry and his excursions in Asia and China. Few books has inspired and alluded to me as this biography and Mannerheims legacy. A must for any interested in modern history as well as Scandinavian.

[Ron Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing life! Thank you Jonathan Clements for drawing my attention to this man for whom I hardly had an awareness of his existence. Well written, engaging book that spans a fascinating period of history. Definitely worth a read.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was hardly any one living a more interesting life in the 20th century than Gustaf Mannerheim did. He was a soldier and a spy traveling throughout the near and far east for the Russian empire, fought in both world wars, saw the birth of his home country Finland as general by defeating the Bolshevik Reds, came back as Field Marshall to defend Finland against Russia and later the nazi Germans. He met the Dalai Lama, the last Tsar Nicholas II, and Adolf Hitler came to his 75th birthday party, much to his chagrin. He was extremely important for the young country Finland and still a beloved historic person here.
This book has tons of information on every part of Mannerheim's life and is a good introduction. For me, it could have some more focus on the Finnish Civil War and the Winter War rather than his travels to China and some more personal sides of him would be interesting as well, but other than that a great book.

[Kimmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an epic life this man lived. I don’t think we are told profoundly enough in school how fashinating his life was. Truly an exeptional individual with a crusial role in our country’s independence. No wonder they tried to do a massive hollywood film from his life. I wish it would have seen daylight.

[Stian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Mannerheims life.
Quite a bit of information on his early life and his time in Russian service, but light on the Finnish civil war, inter-war years and World War II. For that I am tempted to give it 3*, would be a definite 3,5* if that was possible, but its well written and if you take it for what it is; a introduction to the topic "Marski" Mannerheim, its a good read.

[Joe Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book about a fascinating character. Mannerheim was a great soldier with the virtues and attitudes of the pre-World War One world, and those turned out to be just the qualities most needed to guide Finland through the Second World War without being devoured by either of the predatory, murderous regimes struggling on the Eastern Front.

[Olli Tähtinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good page-turner on Marski. The book leans heavily on his expeditions to Asia - rightfully so! I would have wanted to get to know the person a bit more and how he was in person. His relationship with his sister and children remain in the dark.

The marshal had such a amazing and versatile career and life that the author of this book did good work summarizing it.

[dom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a book on WW2 in which the author all but barely covers in a single chapter. I might come around to this book some day, but for now this book has sorely disappointed me.

[!Minh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defending the Homeland 101

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining and enlightening

[bravebird · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive introduction to who Gustaf Mannerheim was. It is written in a lucid and concise style while covering the whole life of him. Some other biographies are focused on certain aspects of him as either a commander or an explorer in Central Asia. This book provides general biographical facts on him. Good stuff to read through for my first trip to Finland this year that celebrates the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Read #2: This bloke is truly fascinating. He started out as a Russian cavalry officer fighting the Japanese in Manchuria and stayed on in Asia as a Russian agent in the "great game". He was a general in the first world war and narrowly escaped a lynch mob in the revolution. He then served as head of the armed forces during (newly independent) Finland's asymmetrical war of survival against Stalin's Russia and - to the horror of the allies - fought alongside Hitler in operation Barbarossa to secure the country's independence. As if all that wasn't enough, he succeeded in becoming the president and is regarded in Finland much as Churchill is regarded here.
His relationship with the third reich raises some questions, of course, and the fact that it is more-or-less glossed-over makes the reader suspect that there are unpleasant secrets being concealed. I did a bit of poking around afterwards though and apparently Finland actually managed not to sink to the same level as the Nazis even while they were finding common cause with them (http://www.jewishquarterly.org/issuea...). The author should probably have spent more time on this though, since siding with Hitler isn't exactly the sort of thing that you can leave unexamined.
All in all, this is well worth a read if you fancy something a bit different. A challengingly chunky beach-read!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easily read introduction to the life of the Marshal, but at the same time just capable of providing an outline of a very adventurous life stretching from before the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05 through the epic trek/ride across Asia to the challenges of being af Russian commander on the Eastern Front of WW1 before returning after nearly 30 years to the Finland of his birth. And there to be raised to the leadership in the bloody civil war of 1919 before eventually emerging as national hero and symbol during the Winter War against the Soviets in 1940.

We are taken through this story with the balanced somewhat skewed towards the Asiatic journey at the expense of a more superficial and may we say - controversy avoiding - treatment of both the Marshal's personal life and his role at the strategic/political level both during the civil war and the continuation war 1941-1944, where the Finns were allies of the Germans and fought af war of revenge/aggression against the soviets. In conclusion a good place to start a study of Mannerheim - also thanks to a rich note on further reading - but in no way a definitive account.

[Vesa Ollilainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teos kuvailee hyvinkin yksityiskohtaisesti Mannerheimin elämää ihmisenä, enemmän kuin sotilaana. Parasta antia on se, miten monista ongelmista huolimatta hän teki loistavan uran, erityisesti Suomessa vuonna 1918 ja jo iäkkäänä vuosina 1939-40 ja 1941-45. Huolimatta väistämättömästä kumppanuudesta Saksan kanssa, hänen vastenmielisyytensä Hitleriä kohtaa tulee selvästi esille. Hänen toimintaansa Venäjän-Japanin sodan sekä punakapinan aikana kuvataan melko tarkasti, mutta hänen strategista ajatteluaan talvi- ja jatkosodan olisi kaivannut vielä lisää.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of the most-admired Finn (as voted by the Finnish), in all his faults and glory. In sections it reads very well, and at moments it is difficult to put aside. Perhaps more narrative would be appreciated on further coverage of Mannerheim's WWI and WWII experiences. This biography spends more effort on Mannherheim's Asian journey as a spy (which is still fascinating, nonetheless).

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author spends perhaps too much time on Mannerheim's adventures in Asia. In the process, Mannerheim's influence on Finland seems to get short shrift. What Mannerheim accomplished in the Winter War, after all, is far more important than anything he did in Asia.