44 Days in Prague

After discovering that her grandmother had pro-German sympathies, Ann Shukman resolved to investigate her grandfather Walter Runcimans 1938 Mission to Prague. This government-sponsored British delegation sought to broker peace between the Czechoslovak republic and its Sudeten German minoritya dispute that Hitler was aggravating with virulent anti-Czech propaganda and threats of invasion. Drawing fresh evidence from personal diaries, private papers and Czech publications, 44 Days in Prague exposes the misunderstandings and official ignorance that provoked a calamitous series of betrayals. It reveals that, while Walter Runciman always supported Czechoslovakias integrity, his wife Hildawhose role became crucialpublicly favoured the German cause. This is a moving portrayal of Walters declining influence as tensions mounted, from the couples efforts to court a divided old aristocracy at glittering social occasions, to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlains fatal undermining of the Mission, in his abrupt decision to negotiate directly with Hitler. Shukmans vivid narrative combines personal insight with meticulous research to shine new light on this pivotal yet tragic episode of European history.