Josef Korbel Livres

Calls attention to the quest for personal freedom and social justice and the submission to outside intervention that have marked the course of Czechoslovakia's modern history

Focusing on the dynamics of postwar relations between East and West, Josef Korbel provides an insightful analysis of détente. He explores the evolving sentiments, policies, and practices that have shaped these interactions, offering a clear and contemporary examination of the complexities involved. His dual background in scholarship and diplomacy enriches the discussion, making it a valuable resource for understanding the shifting landscape of international relations during this critical period.

The book offers an insightful exploration of the intricate factors surrounding the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. Drawing on his first-hand experience as the original Czech member of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan, the author provides a unique perspective that enhances the narrative. The work delves into the historical, political, and social dimensions of the conflict, making it a valuable resource for understanding this enduring issue.

The narrative chronicles the Communist infiltration of Czechoslovakia from 1938 to 1948, detailing the systematic erosion of the nation’s political, economic, and social structures. Written by a former cabinet head, it highlights the struggles of democratic leaders like Edvard Benes and Jan Masaryk against Communist figures such as Klement Gottwald. Utilizing interviews, unpublished documents, and personal experience, the account reveals a strategic campaign that began with ideological persuasion and escalated to a complete takeover, providing a poignant historical case study.

The intricate negotiations between Russia and Germany, driven by their shared disdain for the Versailles Treaty, are meticulously explored. Poland, seen as an obstacle to Soviet ambitions, becomes the focal point of their strategies, which oscillate between military aggression and diplomatic maneuvers. Josef Korbel utilizes a wealth of original documents, including German Foreign Office files and Soviet government papers, to unravel the complexities of this historical alliance formed in an environment of mutual distrust and deceit.

"Kniha vypráví otřesný a pravdivý životní příběh autora, důstojníka Armády spásy, který byl ve svém domově v Brně zatčen komunistickou Státní bezpečností a odsouzen k dvanácti letům vězení jako "člověk nebezpečný svým silným náboženským vlivem". Neučinil nic jiného než-li to, co činí každý důstojník Armády spásy a mnoho jiných křesťanů: přinášel lidem radostnou zvěst o Boží spasitelné moci a lásce, zjevené v Pánu Ježíši Kristu. Na základě intervence Organizace spojených národů byl po deseti letech propuštěn. O devět let později však musel svoji vlast opustit, jelikož mu hrozilo opětovné zatčení. Příběh je mimořádně působivý tím, že z něho vyznívá bezmezná závislost na Bohu. I v těch nejtěžších chvílích a v nejhlubším utrpení mohli Josef Korbel a jeho manželka Erna zakoušet Boží ochranu, útěchu a pomoc, při čemž neuvěřitelně statečným způsobem dokázali svojí víru."