A Good Read, Especially if You are Interested in Churchill's Military Experiences
919996
Keegan's biography is good, short glimpse into the life of one of the most fascinating politicians to live. While brief, it covers every major aspect of his life in enough detail to give you passable knowledge and understand the thinking behind the man.

The book can easily be read in an afternoon and is in fact more than 10 pages shorter than the 208 advertised on Amazon. It does the job well, and doesn't feel too lengthy. However, it may not be for everyone. Keegan is primarily a military historian, and Churchill's military exploits receive more attention than his early life. If you have an interest in the military, though, this will only make the read more interesting. As it stands, Churchill had an interesting military career, so these parts are a joy to read.

Overall, a great introduction into Winston Churchill, recommended to all.
3603530
I bought this quite some time ago and I do think it is a very good account of this mans actions during the Northwest Europe campaign of the Second World War.

The chapters detailing his life on the frontline are a good read and do keep your attention. You do get a good sense of the fighting that he took part in and for a few brief moments glimpse at the pain he felt when losing friends and comrades; his detail of the horrors of tank warfare is pretty gripping if for only brief periods in the book.

The book has quite a few diagrams that help the reader visualise the battles that the author took part in and there are an interesting selection of photographs from the author's collection showing the reader the author himself along with his crew and regiment; although somewhat oddly is a photograph from the Battle of Villers-Bocage that the author did not take part in.

While it is interesting to get some background information on the author one feels that these sections could have been cut down somewhat so the reader can get to the action quicker as this primarily a personal account of the war.
1552612
I have read a lot about Winston Churchill, but knew very little about his wife.  This book was well written as well as a very interesting read.  Clementine Churchill did many good things socially, and politically for England as well as helping her husband in his work and difficult times.  Good read!
2891536
"...Churchill was facing the collapse of his cabinet and the loss of most of his army" (then stranded in Dunkirk). "Over 200 British & French warships were soon involved in the rescue mission along with hundreds of smaller civilian craft." "The evacuation had gone better than anyone had dared to hope. Almost all the stranded British soldiers were rescued along with 80,000 French troops." Churchill---the 'man of the hour' in the drama of Britain's Finest Hour---had been Prime Minister for less than 3 weeks by this time. The documentary posits that Churchill's support was not great at this time; that Washington was "concerned about Winston Churchill's reputation as a heavy drinker," and that "Churchill's enemies in London shared the same anxiety. They believed that the PM's war policy was driven by bravado." Such is the substance of the first hour plus of this participant interview documentary, entitled "Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain," that, oddly enough, concerns not just the air war over Britain---which is more commonly referred to as the Battle of Britain---but the entire war effort. Consequently Churchill isn't quoted as saying that "The Battle of Britain is about to begin," and "upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization" until the end of Part One of this program; once 107 minutes have elapsed herein. But before much praise is given to Churchill's travels around the country and his speeches the producers, early in Part Two, make the point that "not everyone was inspired by Churchill's visits or by his oratory." We then get interviews of guys caught behind enemy lines seemingly just trying to save their own skins, the impressions of shipwrecked civilians, and critical remarks from former Navy seamen. These interviewees are often shown walking the environs where they worked many years back or walking along the geographic locale they are speaking about; be it beaches, abandoned airfields, strategic cliffs, or what have you. Then the producers ultimately conclude this examination of a massively successful endeavor by a determined people by explaining that "the British people rallied behind a maverick leader whose policy of total defense had at first appeared suicidal" But we get little by way of how this was accomplished; why Brits rallied under Churchill or details how individuals rose to the challenges facing them. That, after all, ought be the substance of a telling of the story of Britain's Finest Hour. PS: See my Amazon list on what to see/read to viscerally experience WW2. Click on my profile, then "SO YOU'D LIKE TO..." on the bottom of the page. (06Jun) Cheers!
1225697
Tightly focused account of the five days leading up to the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940. Using primary source material, the book delves into the minds of the British cabinet -- the recently demoted Chamberlain, the shifty, wavering Lord Halifax, and the passionate bulldog Churchill. The book postulates that World War II could have been lost during those five days, and the author's argument is well-reasoned and quite plausible.

Each day is divided into sections covering the cabinet meetings, events in France and public awareness back in Britain. The structure helps to achieve a holistic understanding of the situation and how the people of the time perceived the events unfolding around them.

The author reaches in a few places, along with the weird quirk of quoting himself from his previous writing. That aside, this is concise and highly-readable drama on a grand scale
896692
An excellent account of Britain's waging war for the first years of World War II. The book discusses the war at the grand strategic level, from the views of political leadership, military grand strategy, and industrial and overall economic mobilization. I thought it was a pretty even - handed view, with much criticism of Chamberlain and Churchill and their many poor decisions. On the other hand, much of that criticism is the result of 75 years of hindsight. It's always easy to make better decisions when you have years to think about other alternatives and you already know the result of the decision that was actually made at the time.

The book offers only general discussions of the principal battles and campaigns of the time. It's not the type of book that delves into the details of things like German combined arms performance in North Africa or details of battles between the Royal Navy and the Italian Navy in the Mediterranean.

For more detailed discussions of grand industrial and economic strategy, I recommend "How the War was Won" by O'Brien (2015) and "Britain's War Machine" by Edgerton (2011). For much more critical views of Britain's industrial performance, read "The Audit of War" by Barnett (1986). For a REALLY critical view of British military strategy, military operational decisions, and overall British Army generalship and the quality and performance of British weapons in combat, read "Blood, Sweat and Arrogance" by Corrigan (2006).
3462441
I had read this story some time ago but with the recent attention given on TV and in the movies to Winston Churchill during the war years; and having just read Citizens of London by Lynne Olson, I really appreciated War Brides, reading it this second time. The details of their hard work in support of their Country and how their lives became intertwined was both informative and entertaining.  I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to better understand how the British coped with the war.
2944453
This short biography is actually a Conservative saint's life, complete with morals at the end.  Johnson defends nearly every decision and action of Churchill, with the notable exception of his treatment of Japan before the war and in getting to Berlin quickly to head off Stalin.  However, Johnson actually blames the Americans for both of those things. Johnson's feeling toward America is more or less: of course, yes, we're grateful, but...

At the same time, Churchill did slay the dragon and his is probably the best 20th century politician's life from which to draw morals. Johnson brings in great Churchill quotes, as well as his own experiences with the man.  This is not a balanced account but rather an extended argument for Churchill's greatness.  Given that this is not widely challenged, it gives the work a rather cozy and sometimes even self-satisfied tone. Still, it's a quick, interesting read and it would give even the first time reader of a Churchill biography the larger picture of his life.
66902
`Churchill's Folly' is a book published relatively recently, dealing with the British operations in the Aegean in the autumn of 1943. These are interesting both in a strategic sense, showing Churchill at his worst as an interfering politician with a difficult to understand feeling that the key to victory is in the eastern Mediterranean theatre, and in a tactical sense, because the campaign saw the last combat drop of German paratroopers in WW2.

The book is a detailed account of the fiasco that destroyed the Long Range Desert Group, and severely weakened British forces in the Mediterranean at a time when the struggle for Italy was getting underway. There is a day-by-day account of the battle for Leros, and a very detailed account of flight and naval operations in the battle.

Rogers has gone to great length with his research, finding German veterans, going through German primary sources, and trying to splice together the story giving equal weight to both sides. That he could walk the ground on a Greek holiday island must have been a bonus.

The book has some great, previously unpublished pictures, and a good array of maps. In the appendix there are various primary documents, and the whole book is superbly documented and annotated. In my opinion it is a shining example of how battles should be researched - balancing veteran accounts, primary sources, and secondary sources, with a good understanding of the lay of the land. What is particularly interesting is his attempt to confirm claims for downed aircraft from the opposing side's war diaries.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in Commonwealth WW2 history.
82426
First of all keep in mind that this is larger than most books, as a matter of a fact, the intro and dedication sections are more pages than most books. Having said that, it is amazing to observe historical Churchill as he plans, coordinates, and leads like we rarely can observe in our day. It makes you wonder, all of the things that Mr. Churchill thinks of in planning, what would have happened if he had not been there in this position, (in the beginning he is not the Prime Minister, but in charge of the war efforts) during the beginning of the war, would the war have been lost? A rare chance if you enjoy this type of WWII detail, to see the day to day activities, meetings, and discoveries made by the English and the care that Churchill put into his efforts for the soldiers and the public to keep their morale up.
3947299
The more Winston Churchill I read the more I am inclined to believe his works should be given prominence in history curriculum. This book may not rank as his greatest work, but it is nothing short of a remarkable accomplishment when it is remembered that the book was written at the age of 22. The book recounts military operations in what is part of modern day Pakistan. It is a story of mostly local soldiers led by mostly British officers against violent religious fanatics. In that regard the book bears a striking similarity to Churchill's subsequent book The River War. However the setting, pace, manner, and scope of the action are quite different in both. Churchill provides a pleasant read, or as close to one as can be had on the subject of war, by his willingness to heap praise on friend & foe alike for bravery and gallant action. The book is an informative read about a part of the world that still commands the military attention of nations thousands of miles away.
3944762
Prior to embarking on Jenkins' biography of Churchill, I knew little about the most accomplished Prime Minsiter in the 20th Century.  After reading this enormous work, I believe I have a better understanding of this great 20th Centruy figure, but believe I may have been better served by reading a different biography on Churchill; I just found Manchester's work more daunting.
The trouble with the book, in my opinion, was not the depth and knowledge that Jenkins shows on Churchill, but the writing style in which it is presented.  What comes out in this 900 page (soft cover)work is that you need to have a better understanding of the parlimentary system in Britan to get the full flavor of Jenkins' insider information.  While Jenkins provides some parlimentary terms in the begining of the book, they fall far short of the necessary tools to enjoy this work to its fullest extent.  Further, I found myself reading Jenkins' Churchill alongside a dictionary, looking up several words in a chapter.  I enjoy learning new words I may use someday, but some of the English did not even appear in my dictionary!!
Despite this, it was an enjoyable, one volume work on an extremely brilliant and fearless leader who I admire for his courage and tenancity.  In WWII, Churchill, was, without question, based on Jenkins' work as well as other accounts, the primary reason Europe did not fall to Hitler and Mussolini.  When the chips were down (particularly in those difficult, almost amazingly depressing, "twenty-one days in May"), it was amazing, based on Jenkins' stoy, how Churchill could keep so upbeat and positive that things would ultimatley turn out well.
Churchill's relationship with Stalin and Roosevelt was, I thought, well presented in Jenkins' book.  What you take from Jenkins' work is that Winston started the fight and was (despite his continued and unfettered persistence) relegated to the "back benches"(a Palimentary term used throughtout the book) of the "big boys" when the United States and Russia began to reach the pinnical of their power in WWII.  Again, Churchill, though his persistent and never give up attitiude,  keeps Britan "on the map" so to speak in the talks in Malta and Yalta.  Jenkins' intimates Churchills' attempts to go with pre-meetings in these sessions with Roosevelt and/or Stalin, but he is rebuffed as the two real superpowers do not want to begin to agress against one-another.  This gives insight into the diplomatic prowes of both Stalin and Roosevelt in the efforts to solve the European crises.
After reading this, I find myself better educated, but worn out.
3445199
I enjoyed Boris Johnson's writing style and analysis of if the life of Winston Churchill.  While this is not intended to be an exhaustive biography, to me this was a fresh look at some of the highlights and lowlights of Churchill's career.  The book flows nicely and is a breezy read.  Well worth your time.  Be sure to have a dictionary handy, as Johnson's use of a few words you've probably never heard will expand your vocabulary.
1596565
As with virtually everything he did in life, Winston Churchill wrote his six volume history of the Second World War with many goals: As the Prime Minister of Britain (and--equally importantly--a member of the "right" class), Churchill had access to volumes of original documents. As the Prime Minister during the War, he was in a unique position to understand the relationship of those documents to real events. As a central actor, he had a huge incentive to prepare the first draft of history...to place himself in the best possible light. As a conservative politician out of power when he wrote, he sought to warn the world of the looming communist menace. Finally, as a long time practitioner of written English, he had an unparalleled command of the language. In this volume, Churchill successfully blends together all of these personas to create an absolutely riveting history of the prelude to the Second World War--from the close of World War One to the invasion of Belgium.
Churchill's mastery of English is reason enough to read this book. For example, in describing the British government's constant debates over what to do about German rearmament, Churchill says the British were "frothing pious platitudes while foeman forge their arms". Very seldom do I have to turn to a dictionary while reading, but Churchill sent me there regularly.
But do not think that this is just a book to be read to enjoy his use of language. His detailed account of how we got into the Second World War, and how we might have avoided it, is incisive and persuasively argued. And always watch for the subtext--his warning that the appeasement on Germany was then (in the 1950's) being repeated in the appeasement of the Soviet Union.
Churchill's weakness flows directly from his strength. As a prime actor, he saw (and describes) the war entirely from the "balance of power", or large political perspective. The plight of the Jews in Germany is barely mentioned. He pays virtually no attention to the internal politics of the U.S.--which ultimately proved decisive in the war. And he virtually ignores the growing war in the far east.
With that limitation in mind, this is a book everyone interested in understanding the Second World War--and everyone who enjoys the creative use of the English language--should read.
825170
A little over a month ago, I chanced upon a radio program online in which the author of "Churchill's Iceman" was interviewed about its subject, Geoffrey Pyke, whose radical, innovative, and far-reaching ideas during the Second World War led to the creation of the First Special Service Force (FSSF) --- a unique, unconventional military unit made up of American and Canadian soldiers skilled in living off the land and in irregular warfare who distinguished themselves in combat from the Aleutian Islands, to Italy, France, and the Rhineland --- an underwater pipeline (which was later developed and used in sustaining the Allied drive across France during the Battle of Normandy, and the proposal to "build an aircraft carrier of reinforced ice [named Pykrete in Pyke's honor]" to help the Allies overcome the U-boat threat in the Atlantic. The more I listened to Henry Hemming speak about the life of Geoffrey Pyke, the more my curiosity about this man grew. So much so, that I bought this book.

Pyke was born in 1893, the eldest child of a family that soon found itself in straightened circumstances following the death of Pyke's father, a lawyer, when Pyke was 5. His domineering mother (from whom he later became estranged) had Pyke sent off to Wellington, at the time a typical public school for the sons of Army officers. There Pyke was teased and abused by his classmates because of his Jewish heritage. From this experience, he developed a contempt and hatred for "The Establishment". Pyke was at Wellington for 2 years, then was withdrawn and given private tutoring. Subsequently, he gained admittance to Cambridge University, where he studied law.

Upon the outbreak of the First World War, Pyke left Cambridge set on playing his part in a wholly, unique way. He came up with the idea of smuggling himself into Germany under the guise of an American journalist. It was Pyke's intent to use this cover to obtain information on how the German people were living under wartime conditions and to gauge from discreet observation what the German Army was up to. What made this all the more remarkable to me upon reading about this phase in Pyke's life was that he didn't speak German and had only a short time to perfect an American accent (one of Pyke's friends at Cambridge was American, and he used the memory of his friend to fashion his own 'American' accent). He sold the editor of the Daily Chronicle on his idea, and with a U.S. passport he obtained from an American sailor, Pyke entered Germany via Denmark in the latter part of September 1914.

Alas, Pyke's cover held for little more than a week. Should the reader of this review be interested in knowing how Pyke was found out, sent to an internment camp for Allied civilian nationals near Berlin considered "escape proof" by the Germans, where he nearly died from pneumonia, recovered, and with the help of a fellow internee (who spoke fluent German) managed to escape to neutral Holland in the late spring of 1915 --- and subsequently back to Britain ---- by all means, read "CHURCHILL'S ICEMAN." There is so much more to this man, who went on after the war to work as a journalist, educationalist, and inventor.

Geoffrey Pyke was both the perfect embodiment of the "English eccentric" and in our time, the "revolutionary figure" whose societal contributions are on the scale that completely reshape the way we live our daily lives. For example, people like Steve Jobs who became renowned for "thinking outside the box."
175284
It's a good book that helps us to understand all chronological military aspects of Sir Winston Churchill throughout his entire life.
2766711
The third volume in the abridged collection of Churchills history of the Second World War (confusingly the third volume in the unabridged series goes by the same title) follows Great Britain out of the time of their isolation in the war. From 1939 until the Germans turned their sights on Russia in 1942, England was the sole force providing continual harassment to Hitlers swelling dominion. While many other countries were friendly and supportive to the cause, there had yet to be formed an allied front against the Axis countries  except in the Atlantic where the US had already committed to help clear shipping lanes near their own shores. With grit and ferocity of will, England stood the onslaught of the Germans might and lasted. There indomitableness was rewarded when, in 1942, both Russia and the US finally entered the war as full allies. In this, Churchill knew that the war was won.

You will never read a war history quite like Churchills retelling of these six, almost seven, long years of struggle. No man at the top as it were has written about the minutiae of what it takes from day to day to keep a country focussed toward a common goal. Churchill is both witty and serious about his responsibilities. The reader always feels as if the Prime Minister has a sincere empathy with the men that lay down their lives for freedoms sake. And yet, Churchill was a shrewd if relatively straightforward politician. He pulls and cajoles the Russians to come to the aid of the Western powers. Stalin is supremely concerned about his own nation, yet this warmhearted Brit maneuvers the cold steely Russian into joint operations. The United States military see themselves as foremost in the world, but Churchill guides them to his points of attack. With an unbelievable aplomb, we get to look in on how a historical giant orders the players of worldwide strategy into a successful defense against Hitlers schemes.

As a good American schoolboy, I was taught how the US came to save Britains bacon when we finally entered the European field. This is true  to an extent. What I never knew was how much had been prepared by the continual strategy of the British Army, Navy, and Royal Air Force. The had the ideas; they needed manpower. And the USA could not provide this at first. It took much longer for the war effort stateside to gear up than one might think. Even though America essentially entered into the war on Pearl Harbor day in 1941. The main focus was toward naval operations against Japan. It was only a small percentage of US troops that made it into the European theater before D-Day in June of 1944. Once the US became an active participant, hardly a defeat was handed to the Allied forces in the west, but this was due to the exceedingly important battle plan developed for years by Great Britain.

My grandfather served in North Africa  where the majority of the action of this book takes place. I don't know a lot about his service as he passed away in my youth. He was an mechanic in support of air based action. Its amazing that so many operations of vital importance happened off the continent where the supposed heart of the struggle lay. Its as if Olympian engineers of war decided to fight somewhere that wouldnt mess up their civilization. But it did, hundreds of thousands of men lost their lives in North Africa. The many battles of Tobruk and Benghazi, the struggle for Egypt, the swift offensive on Tunis. These are magnificent and costly battlefields that most will never walk because they are so far from our cultured world. Churchill does his best to humanize every campaign, but the scars of the war were greater than most perceive. There may not be a finer set of histories for this time, but come knowing its not the view that the average man had.

6.5 stars out of 10