A detailed narrative of the diplomatic, political and military maneuvers that occurred between the Munich Agreement in September 1938, and the invasion of Poland in September 1939. Acknowledgments 1 Aide-mémoire. Incident at Eger; Prophets of Armageddon; The antipathetic alliance 2 The road to Prague. "How long will this burlesque last?"; "Don't you see?...It's the German insurance companies that will have to pay!"; Hitler over Bohemia 3 Warsaw or Moscow? The Führer is sick; The panic pact; Hitler briefs his generals; The conspirators are worried; "You must think we are nitwits & nincompoops!"; Slow boat to Leningrad 4 Moment of truth. The walrus; Stalin makes up his mind; Hitler takes a hand; Ribbentrop's hour of triumph 5 The sands run out. Mussolini reneges; The indefatigable Swede; Operation "Canned Goods" 6 World War II. Common action or another conference?; At last Epilogue Sources Notes Index Maps