The Runciman Mission to Czechoslovakia, 1938 - Prelude to Munich

This book explores Lord Runciman''s mediation in Central Europe, which provides a sharp insight into British policy on the eve of World War II. Without clear objectives--other than to avoid war--his mission did little more than pressure Czechoslovakia for concessions. Runciman was manipulated into that position by Sudeten German separatists and also by those in Britain who sought to secure a rapprochement with Germany. The Mission''s pursuit of that objective led directly to Chamberlain''s fateful flying visits to Hitler.