The page numbers in the following review correspond to the hardbound copy of the book rather than the paperback pictured.The second volume in Churchill's memoirs concerning his period as prime minister, like the first in the series, is not as much to be read as pondered. It is almost more of a database of charts, dates, memos, speeches, and telegrams interspersed with narrative than it is a traditional memoir. As such, it is valuable for reference, reflection, research, and careful reading. I find, however, that my limit is usually 30-40 pages per "sitting" and sometimes, less than that.That disclaimer aside, if I were to rate this book on reference materials alone, it would be a 4-5 star grade. Indeed, I have often used the exhaustive indices of these books to look up particular operations or pieces of logistical information, so I know their value as a reference work. In terms of reading straight through, I would rate them 1-2 stars. Hence, my "average" rating for a very important book.Churchill was brilliant in that he was willing to learn from the past without being slavishly bound to the factions, fashion, and grudges of the past. In opposing a government purge, he stated: "If the present tries to sit in judgment of the past, it will lose the future." (p. 10) In a speech on the death of Neville Chamberlain, he spoke of the misleading nature of the "flickering light of history." (p. 550)Of course, history is still both an interesting and cautionary study. Did, for example, Churchill's advocacy of preventive internment of Communists and Fascists (p. 55) lead to Roosevelt's war crime against loyal Japanese citizens in the U.S. at a later point in the war? When Count Molotov wished Germany complete success in her "defensive measures" (the invasion of Norway), was that in any way similar to those nations who half-heartedly joined in or approved the modern "defensive measures" in the U.S.'s invasion of Iraq? Is this the diplomacy of jockeying for future position and favors when one doesn't care about the outcome? How much of our present Middle Eastern heartache might we have been spared if Churchill had not been opposed in his efforts to arm the Israelis in Tel Aviv (pre-State of Israel) to assist in their own defense (p. 422).Most interesting to me in this volume were Churchill's efforts to use surplus vehicles, vessels, and artillery/armament in what he knew was a warfare transformed by technology. Yet, he asserted that "Any cannon is better than no cannon at all." (p. 272) He insisted on training horses for duty in Ireland to free up vehicles for service elsewhere (p. 462). He lobbied arduously for old destroyers from the U.S. and argued that the gift of 50 outdated destroyers might have kept Spain out of the Axis (p. 521).He hated military siloing as illustrated (pointing out how the German military arms refused to work together on p. 303 and 309). The exciting account of redirecting German targeting beams was concluded with the observation that "...during these two months nobody had the courage to tell Goering that his beams were twisted or jammed. In his ignorance he pledged himself that this was impossible. Special lectures and warnings were delivered to the German Air Force, assuring them that the beam was infallible and that anyone who cast doubt on it would be at once thrown out." (p. 387)I found myself horrified that, at a time when French command was desperately in need of British bombing support, French peasants dragged all kinds of carts and lorries onto the airfield so that the British bombers couldn't even take off to start on their mission (p. 156). And I was amazed at racist sentiments like "good enough to fight Italians" (p. 426).
This volume describes key events and battles from May to December 1940 when Britain stood alone against the might of the Nazis (and subsequently the Italians). Winston Churchill describes the theme of the volume as "How the British people held the fort alone till those who hitherto had been half blind were half ready" which sums it up exactly. This narrative of Churchill's involvement shows just how much he contributed to the direction that the war took including suggestions for the design of such things as aerial mines and amphibious vehicles for landing tanks, countless telegrams to President Roosevelt to ask for help, his subtle and diplomatic handling of the Vichy Government and his understanding of battle strategy and tactics.Here we have a first-hand account of the fall of France, Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk, the Blitz, the thwarted German Operation Sea Lion, the Battle of Britain and also the important role played by the British scientific community (the so-called "Wizard War"). The volume includes maps and diagrams to help understand the troop movements during the battles as well as Churchill's personal minutes and telegrams and various tables of facts and figures which soberly present the massive losses incurred. Also included are snippets from some of Churchill's famous addresses to the British and French nations which helped to rally the spirits of ordinary folk in horrendously difficult times. Similarly, despite the obviously grim subject matter, Churchill manages to inject his account with some dry humour to help lift the reader's spirits. For example, directly after a telegram to the Minister of Supply showing how concerned Churchill was about the lack of a particular kind of small arms ammunition we get this nugget:"The reader must pardon this next minute.Prime Minister to First Lord 18.IX.40Surely you can run to a new Admiralty flag. It grieves me to see the present dingy object every morning."And about General de Gaulle of whom Churchill had the utmost respect:"He also felt it to be essential to his position before the French people that he should maintain a haughty demeanour towards 'perfidious Albion', although an exile, dependent upon our protection and dwelling in our midst. He had to be rude to the British to prove to French eyes that he was not a British puppet. He certainly carried out this policy with perseverance."This was a book that I just couldn't put down and I devoured it in a couple of days only to be left wishing that I also had all the other volumes to hand (as well as wishing that I'd started with Volume I, obviously!). Churchill thoroughly deserved his Nobel Prize for this remarkable contribution to literature.
What do You think about Their Finest Hour (2008)?
The hard struggle of England's first few years in the Second World War are nicely depicted by Churchill's usual flowing language and dry humor. His view of the Battle Over Britain might not be that of the citizen who was there to huddle in the Anderson shelter, but it's a vivid and fascinating description nonetheless.This book was not as navy-obsessed as the first one, but in this book since Churchill had many reins in his hands, he insisted on bringing every memo, every letter and every note to have ever left his table to the book, which is very distracting and quite tiring, actually.All in all it's a good book, there's hardly any bombardment of boring small technical details and the excitement of the war's made Churchill's writing juicy and adventurous. Also, it's one leader's point of view and not that of a soldier on the line or a minister of foreign affairs, all perspectives which together can give the whole picture. It's a goods book, I recommend reading it, but I don't recommend taking every word in it for the complete truth.
—Meirav Rath
Another fabulous entry in Churchill's series regarding World War II. This book roughly documents the year 1940 - the fall of France, the Battle of Britain and other activities during the year.Churchill's grasp of the politics of the situation are breathtaking, the individual correspondence's between Churchill and FDR are amazing to read, as the finesse Churchill shows in documenting the case time and again to FDR that the U.S. must join Great Britain in their crusade against the Nazis, or face them alone if Great Britain should fall.The strategic grasp Churchill demonstrates time and again of world events, and proper context is exciting to read. And this book is a great reminder that Great Britain for over a year held the tide of Nazi Germany at bay, and preceded to beat the Germans in the air, in Egypt, and at sea while absorbing a tremendous cost on their civilian population due to indiscriminate bombing.Difficult to put down, fascinating in it's detail, this is a must read.
—Brian
I thought volume 1 did a great job of capturing both the events leading up to World War II, and - more importantly - why they happened. This book is a bit more event driven than volume 1 but is no less powerful. Without direct involvement in the fall of France, the first part of the book dragged; but once the book turned to the Battle of Britain, Churchill did a great job of conveying the mood of the British government and its people as they stood alone to fight the largest powers ever assembled. Throughout the book, Churchill provides great detail throughout - and I definitely learned a great deal in reading this book - but as he moves on to Britain the attitudes and feelings of the time really shown and the pace of the book sped up.
—Andrew
