It wouldn't be an understatement to call this one of the most important works of history of the twentieth century. The first of six volumes by Winston Churchill this book chronicles the period between the end of the First World War, through the growing German and Italian threats to the peace, and into the war as far as the Battle of France. To say that this book is well written would be a substantial understatement. Churchill has a way with the English language that is very rarely seen which serves to enliven a story that has been done to death in the decades since this was originally published. As a participant at the highest levels of government throughout most of the period of this book, and especially after the start of the war, there is an added level of clarity, moral force, and insights that are often lost in most examinations of the period. Of particular note I found were the various descriptions of those principal actors such as Stanley Baldwin, Neville Chamberlain, and Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov. Contrary to my expectations, Chamberlain himself is not vastly attacked by Churchill in any substantially prolonged way, especially after Munich when his demeanor changed drastically - a better accounting of the failures of the prewar government fall to Baldwin as it stands in this account for putting party over country. On the whole much of the emphasis in this volume is placed on the prewar era, and rightfully so - while the period described from September 1939 to May 1940 is also of the highest quality it does drag at some points with Churchill's descriptions of the Norway campaign which are perhaps too long considering the rapidly approaching thunderstorm that was making its way to fruition on the continent.

This said, while this series can be viewed as a history of the war it is better viewed as a serious of war memoirs from one of the most important figures of the war and should inevitably rest on the shelves of any respectful reader of the Second World War.

Of note for this volume itself are several very nicely done maps - particularly as they relate to the Polish campaign, Scapa Flow, the naval battle against the Graf Spee, and the Norway campaign. A variety of useful appendixes are also included, particularly those relating to naval affairs considering Winston's position as First Lord of the Admiralty from the start of the war until his assumption of the duties of the office of the Prime Minister. ( )

This may be one of the most important books of the twentieth century, written by one of its greatest heroes. Churchill, a lone voice against tyranny for so long, did everything he could to sound the warning bell against fascism. In the end--although so very late--they listened. In the end, the Allies were victorious. And in the end, we have this brilliant account from which to learn of the follies of the past, in order to preserve our future from tyranny. ( )

Volume 1 of WWII series by Churchill. Very good look at buildup to the war, the political failures of the 'tween war period. ( )

This first book of Winston Churchill's series on the
Second World War has uncanny relevance for today. It is sometimes amusing to listen to him catalog the failures of the Allies in preventing the war without actually coming out and saying "I told you so".

What is not so funny is recognizing that many of those pre-war attitudes are prevalent in our age. I think world leaders need to take a fresh look at Winston's words.

www.comingstobrazil.com

There is a lot of good stuff in this. Some of the highlights for me are listed here.
Churchill describes the foreign policy of England for the past 400 years as this: Pressing against whatever European power which took it upon itself to over-run other countries. Regardless of which power (France, Italy, Germany, etc.), they would resist aggressive behavior.
He also makes the point that one must make one's decisions from one's own conscience instead of from fear of man. There were many times when he took an unpopular stand and thought he had wiped out his future, only to find several years later that the country's opinion had swayed back towards his own.
Quiseling-a German man who befriended Norway and then turned on her without warning and took over from within for Germany. There were many other Germans with him who did this but he was their leader. What an honor to have your name become an insult!
I enjoyed reading this very much. It makes so many ideas and snippits of history come into focus. ( )