Argues that, if it were not for the Western Allies, Germany would have been victorious over Russia during World War II, comparing military statistics between Germany and Russia, examining the pivotal role the Allies played to assist Russia, and exploring the propaganda that spurred the Soviets towards victory.

Introduction : pseudo-reality and the Soviet Union -- Understanding the evil empires : two case histories -- The dictators' gamble -- Into the maelstrom : the first seventeen days -- Deep battle : from the breakthrough to the fall of Kiev -- The campaign of compromises : October-December 1941 -- The hollow victories of 1942 -- The planets and paradoxes of 1942-1943 -- Summer 1943 : the turning point -- Deadlock : the great retreat -- Death of the phoenix : the last eleven months of the war -- The war of extermination : allies, partisans, criminals -- Conclusions : false victories, mistaken beliefs -- Epilogue : the Great Patriotic War and the collapse.