In contemporary Britain there are substantial ethnic minorities of Polish and Baltic origin, who arrived here shortly after World War II. Using official records and the words of survivors and their children, the author explores the reasons for their savage uprooting at the hands of Stalin and Hitler, their subsequent odysseys, and the reasons for their resettlement in Britain. This is a study of totalitarianism, political asylum, and the relationship of ethnic minorities to the host society, combining first-hand accounts with historical analysis.

THOMAS LANE was formerly Head of the Department of European Studies and founder member of the Baltic Research Unit, University of Bradford, UK. He is the author of two books, the most recent being Lithuania: Stepping Westward (Routledge, 2001), and four edited books, as well as numerous articles.

Foreword Introduction 'A Timeless and Magical World' Defeat German Colonies Soviet Fiefs Deportations Penal Camps Release Soldiers and Refugees 'Midway to Nowhere' Resettlement Communities Identities Bibliography Index