Cold Victory
Bridge to Tomorrow
A Novel of the Berlin Airlift
Book III: Cold Victory
Released 8 May 2025
BERLIN 1949
With the Airlift gaining momentum day-by-day, the Russians turn to more devious and covert tactics to thwart the forces of democracy. Key players — or their loved ones — are targeted for unscrupulous attacks. The Americans have learned that the policy of “collective guilt” is no longer viable. Yet “collective amnesty” enables some Nazis to worm their way back into positions of power — and use that power against the most vulnerable.
Award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader takes the reader away from the limelight and into the shadow side of the Berlin Airlift to explore its social, psychological and long-term impact.
Based on historical events, Cold Victory highlights, how the victory of the Allied Airlift brings with it the division of Europe and turns Russia into an inveterate enemy of democracy and the West.
COLD VICTORY has been awarded the prestigious Indie BRAG Medallion
What reviewers are saying about Cold Victory:
“One of those rare novels that manages to make a well-documented historical event feel utterly urgent and freshly lived… 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 the war. … Helena P. Schrader has crafted … a novel that reminds us, in the best tradition of the genre, that history is never just in the past. It lives on in stories like this one, in the questions we still ask, and in the lives of characters who refuse to be forgotten.” BookTrib Review
“A rich, detailed, character-driven novel transforming a pivotal period of Cold War history into an intimate exploration of loyalty, sacrifice and moral complexity. … Cold Victory is a shining example of historical fiction done right… the world-building is impeccable…. [Schrader] gives voice to all sides, showing how victims can also be perpetrators, enemies can sometimes become allies, and that survival almost always requires moral compromises.” — IndieReader
“For readers who crave intelligence over sensationalism, heart over spectacle, and the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression, Cold Victory delivers — and some.” BookTrib Review
“A tense and fast-paced look at the many stories behind the Berlin Airlift.” — Kirkus Reviews
“…a completely immersive read. … the people within the pages will linger in the reader’s memory for some time.” — The Historical Fiction Company
“The resilience of the human spirit radiates through every carefully crafted word of this mesmerising book. Schrader casts a vivid light on the shadowy facets of a haunting reality, exposing the emotional scars left by conflict.” — The Coffee Pot Book Club Review
“Cold Victory is a fantastic character-driven story. It’s an immersive and profoundly moving story of intense and harrowing interpersonal dramas, and of love and hope.” — Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers’ Favorites
“…a tribute to the unsung heroes of the Berlin Airlift and a powerful reminder of the values that define a free society.” — Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite
“In the shadows of political maneuvering and ideological battles, Schrader illuminates the essential, unheralded work of women rebuilding society amid the ruins of war.” — K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
“Schrader excels in true character development, leaning into the personal impact of broader political issues…” — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorites
“…the story takes on a vibrant and dynamic quality, keeping the reader captivated and eagerly turning the pages. Schrader’s vivid portrayal of remarkably brave and resilient women adds an extraordinary depth to this book, making it a compelling addition to any bookshelf.” — The Coffee Pot Book Club Review
“Helena P Schrader’s prose carries the emotional weight of the characters’ experience without melodrama. The novel balances political insight with human warmth, offering moments of humor, quiet reflection and triumph.” — Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite
“… this nuanced portrayal of postwar politics and moral ambiguity … [places] Schrader firmly among the finest historical fiction writers today. Overall, Cold Victory is a highly recommended read, and I can’t wait to see what this talented author does next.” — K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite.
“…a thoughtful and exhaustively researched work of historical fiction.” — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite
“There is a subplot with uncertainty surrounding a missing aircraft, and the Soviet press’s manipulation of the story is eerily similar to what we are seeing again in the rise of an opacity of government.” — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorites
“Schrader also dives deep into the impact of trauma through character experience that feel true to life. “ — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorites.
“Schrader’s pacing is superb. She skilfully interweaves the subplots…adding a layer of complexity to the underlying historical events.
“A remarkable conclusion to the Bridge to Tomorrow series, Cold Victory will entrance devoted fans of the series as well as those discovering Schrader’s work for the first time.” — BlueInk Starred Review
“There are courtroom scenes that pulse with tension, not because they are sensationalized, but because the stakes are so heartbreakingly real.” BookTrib Review
“This story, grounded in compassion and resilience, resonates with surprising timeliness, underscoring how the fight for justice is always ongoing , always unfinished.” BookTrib Review
“You’re not just reading about history — you’re inside it.” BookTrib Review
“With her usual deft blending of carefully researched history and well-crafted scene development, Schrader gives a sense of three-dimensional human life to an event that’s now all but faded from living memory… The lively character work…is the novel’s strongest element, keeping the reader fully invested right up through the dramatic climax.” — Kirkus Reviews