Cold Victory: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift

B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree "... a moving, deeply human story about standing firm against tyranny without lifting a weapon, and about what it means to win peace, not just survive war. ... For readers who crave intelligence over sensationalism, heart over spectacle, and the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression, Cold Victory delivers -- and then some." Book Trib Review, 13 June 2025The Berlin Airlift teeters on the brink of collapse. As the Allies desperately fight to keep the city alive against a relentless Soviet blockade, the Soviets turn to dirty tricks that don't stop short of murder. Soon, Wing Commander Robin Priestman, RAF station commander at Gatow, faces every commander's worst a choice between his country and the woman he loves.Meanwhile, on the ground, the controversial policy of "collective amnesty" has opened the door for former Nazis to regain control, corrupting the very institutions meant to deliver justice. When a young woman, a victim of brutal violence, is charged with murder, her trial becomes a cause célèbre.  Defended by a courageous female lawyer, the widow of a German resistance hero, this high-stakes legal drama unfolds against a backdrop of escalating Cold War tensions, and the defendant comes to represent the tens of thousands of rape victims across the city.Award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader takes you beyond the headlines and into the shadows of the Berlin Airlift. Cold Victory explores the social and psychological aspects of the first battle of the Cold War, while reminding us that victory often comes at an extraordinary price. Ultimately, there can be no peace without justice — and no compromise with tyranny.