Winston’s War is a vivid and incisive portrait of Winston Churchill during wartime. Here are the glories and triumphs, the contradictions and blunders of the man who, through sheer force of will, kept Britain fighting in 1940. But as the tide of the war turned, historian Max Hastings shows how Churchill was often disappointed by the failure of the British Army to match his hopes on the battlefield, and by the difficulties of sustaining the wartime alliance not only with the Soviet Union, but also with the United States. With surprises on almost every page, Winston’s War is a riveting profile of one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century.
Finest Years: Churchill as Warlord 1940-45
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
92 of 95 people found the following review helpful
By B. Hurst
Format:Hardcover
What more is there to say about Churchill? There is certainly no shortage of books, biographies, autobiographies and histories written about Britain's wartime leader.
Hastings seeks to show how Churchill was so crucial to the eventual Allies' victory in World War II in spite of his well known faults.
Although largely a praising work, Finest Years does lay bare faults, such as his impetuous addiction to (usually disastrous) raids and smaller operations for Britain's over-stretched forces.
But overall Hastings finds that Churchill's personality, drive and charisma were crucial in securing overall victory.
He argues persuasively that it was Churchill, who, in the dark days of 1940, had the resolve to continue the fight when all other alternative premieres were advocating coming to an accord with the Nazis.
In a time when Britain and its Empire was viewed with suspicion and even hate by many Americans, his courting of their good opinions through well received visits was important in putting the case for entering the war across.
Churchill's strategic judgement, often criticised, is also praised - he saw very early that the only way to victory was by the US entering the conflict, and also, as a famed hater of Bolshevism, he swallowed his pride, endured many insults and double dealing, and supported the Russians.
Hastings puts forward an argument that it was only Churchill who was equipped to lead Britain to victory - and it is hard to argue with him.
I don't think it shows us an awful lot new, but Hastings brings his considerable judgement to bear on this time to excellent effect.
Hastings seeks to show how Churchill was so crucial to the eventual Allies' victory in World War II in spite of his well known faults.
Although largely a praising work, Finest Years does lay bare faults, such as his impetuous addiction to (usually disastrous) raids and smaller operations for Britain's over-stretched forces.
But overall Hastings finds that Churchill's personality, drive and charisma were crucial in securing overall victory.
He argues persuasively that it was Churchill, who, in the dark days of 1940, had the resolve to continue the fight when all other alternative premieres were advocating coming to an accord with the Nazis.
In a time when Britain and its Empire was viewed with suspicion and even hate by many Americans, his courting of their good opinions through well received visits was important in putting the case for entering the war across.
Churchill's strategic judgement, often criticised, is also praised - he saw very early that the only way to victory was by the US entering the conflict, and also, as a famed hater of Bolshevism, he swallowed his pride, endured many insults and double dealing, and supported the Russians.
Hastings puts forward an argument that it was only Churchill who was equipped to lead Britain to victory - and it is hard to argue with him.
I don't think it shows us an awful lot new, but Hastings brings his considerable judgement to bear on this time to excellent effect.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a great book which is actually three narratives weaved into one. The first is the Churchill story which many readers will be familiar with, particularly if you've read another account such as Roy Jenkins' biography. However, the difference here is that it centres solely on the Second World War which is undoubtedly the most compelling part of Churchill's life.
The second concerns the story of Britain's home front - from the machinations of other politicians to the lives of ordinary Britons. This is fascinating because it describes aspects of our history which many writers overlook. Numerous aspects of those times resonate with today's society - spin, political plots, public cynicism and economic unrest.
The third narrative, which for me was the most interesting, concerns Britain's relationship with its principal allies. Whilst we may be familar with the frosty Anglo-Soviet diplomacy of that era Hastings provides an illuminating account of Britain's relationship with America. This shows that the so called 'special relationship' was always a British aspiration rather than a political reality. The truth is that the Americans pursued policies which suited their national interests and Britain benefited when our interests converged.
I'd strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the areas I've touched on and reiterate the point that the politics of that era cast a shadow into the affairs of the 21st Century.
The second concerns the story of Britain's home front - from the machinations of other politicians to the lives of ordinary Britons. This is fascinating because it describes aspects of our history which many writers overlook. Numerous aspects of those times resonate with today's society - spin, political plots, public cynicism and economic unrest.
The third narrative, which for me was the most interesting, concerns Britain's relationship with its principal allies. Whilst we may be familar with the frosty Anglo-Soviet diplomacy of that era Hastings provides an illuminating account of Britain's relationship with America. This shows that the so called 'special relationship' was always a British aspiration rather than a political reality. The truth is that the Americans pursued policies which suited their national interests and Britain benefited when our interests converged.
I'd strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the areas I've touched on and reiterate the point that the politics of that era cast a shadow into the affairs of the 21st Century.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is the American version of "Finest Years" published by Harper.The American version is presented as a new publication but is only the retitled and redesigned cover of Finest Years.I purchased this publication assuming Max Hastings had written yet another Churchill book so was rather disappointed to receive this rehashed publication. Winstons War notes that it is also published as Finest years, too late when you have bought the pair.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Max Hastings at his best
Well researched, well written, and as one who lived through those years, a fascinating insight into what really happened. Superb
Published 21 days ago by ken lorberg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic bigoraphy of Churchill's wartime life
This book is a thoroughly interesting and detailed account of the wartime challenges faced by Churchill. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robert Lavin
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book strips away many of the myths about Churchill
As ever Max Hasting deos his research with meticulous accuracy. His views of Churchill are sometimes unkind but they are very fair. Read more
Published 1 month ago by tim reynolds
4.0 out of 5 stars
Finest Years
Informative and interesting in depth Study of Churchill's wartime leadership with anecdotes and observationss from intimates and members of the public
Published 1 month ago by R Grant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill as warlord 1940-45
I really enjoyed this book which explained a lot that is missing in Roy Jenkins otherwise excellent biography of Churchill. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alec
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best - worth six stars at least
My title could apply equally to the subject and the book!
I have a confession to make. Mr Hastings is my favourite author and Churchill my hero so I am biased. Read more
I have a confession to make. Mr Hastings is my favourite author and Churchill my hero so I am biased. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gleddings monkey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Finest Years -- Churchill
This was an extremely intersting book covering Churchill as a war leader. He made mistakes but primarily gave the world hope in its darket hour. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. T. Haluszczak
5.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill as Warlord
Max Hastings is a brilliant author and his rendition on Churchill during "his finest hours" is riveting. Read more
Published 3 months ago by K. P. Tregaskis
4.0 out of 5 stars
FACTUAL RATHER THAN AN OPINION
THIS BOOK INTERESTS ME BECAUSE MAX HASTINGS HAS RESEARCHED HIS SUBJECT FROM THE HISTORICAL FACTS AVAILABLE, PRESUMABLY FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS RECORDS[HANSARD] , MILITARY RECORDS... Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Bruce
4.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinarily Candid
Provides an in depth insight to WW2 and the political struggle to fight or to look for a negotiated peace with Hitler. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Richard BURN
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