Memoirs WW II CL

This is an extensive (although claimed to be "abridged") history of the Second World War from one of its major agents. Churchill's narrative of the dark days of 1940, the tenuous alliance with Stalin in 1941, his close relationship with Franklin Roosevelt, up through the atomic bombs and the postwar tension will hold the reader's interest through all 1016 pages. Sir Winston's writing style is engaging and, at times, surprisingly humorous. Through his eyes, the reader sees the war progress through unexpected developments, discouraging setbacks, thrilling victories, all through very personal experience, both in the theaters of war and in the halls of government. Anyone who is a WWII enthusiast will find this work essential in gaining an understanding of this titanic conflict.

Nearly 1100 pages in length, this abridged (yes, you read that correctly!) version of Winston Churchill's Nobel Prize winning, six volume set on the history of World War II will leave many would-be scholars stunned by it's revelations. If (like me) you learned history primarily from high school and college courses and your own self-study, this volume shows how woefully inadequate your understanding of this pivotal event may be. Most surprising are the pre-war revelations of how Hitler could have been contained as early as the 1920's; if the politicians of the day were not so interested in unilateral disarmament and taken Hitler's more outrageous promises with a grain of salt, he could have been stopped several times by both Britain and France before he could have built up his armaments. In particular, British Prime Ministers Stanley Baldwin and Ramsay Macdonald are to be blamed, for their inaction allowed Germany to rearm and begin their conquests almost unchecked; by the time of Neville Chamberlain's famous Appeasment at Munich, it was already too late to prevent war. The other major revelation that will surprise many readers is detailed in the chapter entitled October in Moscow, where Churchill and Russian premier Joseph Stalin literally decide postwar, Cold War politics with the stroke of a pen. (For his part, Churchill insists he believed that Stalin understood that such an arrangement was temporary.) Through it all, Churchill spins the fascinating tale of a man who thoroughly understands both military movements and the big picture when it comes to the theatres of war. Of course, the heroic generals and leaders of the nations involved, from Roosevelt to Truman, Montgomery to Ike, are detailed, mostly with compassion for their integrity and valor. This volume is recommended for the novice and true student of history alike (if one wants more military facts and figures, especially numbers of troop movements and battle details, it is suggested he purchase the complete six-volume set.) In short, if you wish to enjoy the history of WWII, particularly from a pont of view not often taught in the United States, purchase Memoirs of the Second World War today. The surprising revelations within will give you a new perspective both of WWII and how our current political situation was determined by events that happened some sixty-plus years ago.

Winston Churchill's 'Memoirs of the Second World War,' is one of the most illuminating works on the subject ever written. Churchill tells the story of the war from the massive rearmament of Germany in the thirties to the final victory over the forces of fascism. As a general history of the war it is understandably one-sided, but as a wartime memoir it succeeds on many levels. The feelings of the British Prime Minister on the strategies, soldiers, enemies, and allies of the war are brought to the foreground with an amazing command of language. Churchill justifies many of the more controversial decsions of the war including his stand on British rearmament before the war, the terror bombing of German cities, the 'unconditional surrender' policy of the allies, and the use of the Atomic bomb. This is a finely crafted work that is a tribute to a man who could make history as well as write it.

When I first began this 6 volume series I was uncertain if it would meet my expectations; it did. Mr. Churchill wrote brilliantly regarding the political and military campaigns; his relationships with Roosevelt, Stalin, and the thousands of military leaders he dealt with during this period.He showed compassion and ruthlessness: a great leader and complex man that, in my opinion, deserved better from the British people following the war.At no time does the reader become bored with minute details but is brought to understand the joy and sorrow Mr. Chruchill endured during the war.After reading over 3,000 books on WWII this series ranks in the top 5.