The Great Democracies (1958)

One of the best written, articulate books I've ever come across. I found the American Civil War insights especially instructional and fascinating in its viewpoint from a non-American reference. I look forward to the other volumes in this series. ( )

A good history, capably written.

(8/10) ( )

This is the fourth and final volume of Churchill's magnificent "History of the English Speaking Peoples." It covers basically the period of the reign of Queen Victoria--dealing with both American and British struggles and expansion during those eventful times.

One cannot help but wonder, based on what we now know of history, if perhaps it would have been better had the Pax Brittania lasted longer and been allowed to hold sway.

The last paragraph of the book is instructive in this regard:

"Here is set out a long story of the English-speaking peoples. They are now to become Allies in terrible but victorious wars. And that is not the end. Another phase looms before us, in which alliance will once more be tested and in which its formidable virtues may be to preserve Peace and Freedom. The future is unknowable, but the past should give us hope."

Based on when the book was published, the other "phase" to which he refers can only be the struggle against Communism. I would contend that, were he alive today, he might say the same thing about the war on islamic terrorism.