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Title: The Gathering Storm by Winston Leonard Spencer, Sir, Churchill ISBN: 0-395-07537-8 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company Pub. Date: 01 June, 1948 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.88 (16 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The origins of the world's most terrible war
Comment: The Second World War by Winston S. Churchill is THE work on the conflict. Churchill's graceful command of the English language, his personal role in the conduct of the war, and the broad scope of the work, from the origins of the war to its execution, make this the best book on the topic.
This first book in the series explains the causes of the war to the reader. One of the most powerful passages is a one page summary of Hitler's philosophy as set forth in MEIN KAMPF - Churchill read Hitler's book, and, unlike his contemporaries in the Western democracies, the British leader very clearly understood the threat Hitler posed to the world.
Rated the number one book on leadership in time of war by HUMAN EVENTS in 2004, The Second World War will take about a month to read (for someone with a job and family) - time well invested in understanding the massive conflict of the 20th Century that still shapes our globe.
As a once and future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (he was defeated in 1945) Churchill's easy access to documents, world leaders and generals made him uniquely suited to this ambitious task. I doubt any other mere author of the day could have filled one volume of the six he wrote.
Rating: 5
Summary: Masterul use of english language to tell a great story
Comment: 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.
Rating: 4
Summary: Epic use of language
Comment: The most valuable asset this book has isn't Churchill's narration of the "gathering storm" and the rise of Hitler, but his exquisite English prose. It's definetely a book to read, not only for Historians and history fans, but for anyone who wishes to read a top-notch narration with a top-notch language.
I must warn, though, that this is not as "internationally" focused as other books are. Whilst other authors such as Kershaw or Shirer may focus on the German domestic politics, and whilst other historians concentrate on the internatioanl relations in the period, Churchill's approach is more centered towards his British political life and his career in England.
It's lengthy but not impossible. It's not a light reading book, but most certainly enjoyable. I would not recommend this book to anyone who isn't seriously or academically interested in this historical period, for there are bounteous amount of books that cover the same in a more concise way.
All and all, Churchill's language is perfect. It gives you the insight of an eye witness at the time, but the reader must take it with a pinch of salt, for Churchill's background, as well as the mood at the time, heavily influence his books.
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Title: The Second World War, Volume 2: Their Finest Hour by Winston S. Churchill ISBN: 0395410568 Publisher: Mariner Books Pub. Date: 09 May, 1986 List Price(USD): $19.00 |
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Title: The Second World War, Volume 3: The Grand Alliance by Winston S. Churchill ISBN: 0395410576 Publisher: Mariner Books Pub. Date: 09 May, 1986 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: The Second World War, Volume 4: The Hinge of Fate by Winston S. Churchill ISBN: 0395410584 Publisher: Mariner Books Pub. Date: 09 May, 1986 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: The Second World War, Volume 5: Closing the Ring by Winston S. Churchill ISBN: 0395410592 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 09 May, 1986 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: The Second World War, Volume 6: Triumph and Tragedy by Winston S. Churchill ISBN: 0395410606 Publisher: Mariner Books Pub. Date: 09 May, 1986 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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