Viscount Alan Brooke Alanbrooke (1883–1963)

If ever a diary was written in the right place at the right time it was this one. Alanbrooke was the CIGS, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and a right hand to Churchill throughout the war. He wrote his diary every day - even when exhausted or travelling and gives a unique first hand account of the top level WWII British and American military at work. This is the story before the arrival of the post war romantic myths, films and gloss.
Essentially the Americans were more interested in the show more Pacific (exclusively in the case of Admiral King)and as their manpower and production outpaced the British they became the dominant decision makers. Marshall and Eisenhower are strategically clueless but are saved by the severely weakened state of the Germans in 1944/45. Churchill is a political showman like his father, building up British morale wonderfully at the start of the war but becoming a real military liability, pushing one madcap scheme after another in rambling alcoholic late night meetings. He was also very mean spirited, giving no credit whatsoever to his long suffering staff in his self serving histories. Typically, after the long awaited victory at El Alamein, it was of great concern that Montgomery should not receive a heroes welcome in London that could steal his (Churchill's) limelight.
How many people know this side of Churchill? I certainly didn't. show less

A great read with lots of waspish humour as well as critical insights into the functioning of the British, Empire and subsequently Allied high command during WWII.

As Alanbrooke makes clear in his subsequent notes this was his release valve and the one place he could vent his frustrations to give him a bit of a chance to approach the next day on an even keel and they doubtless need to be read in that light, but a vital read for any WWII scholar and, indeed, anyone who studies leadership.

This is volume one. Covers the first part of WW II up to the invasion of Italy in the fall of 1943. two volume set (The follow up is Triumph In The West). Arthur Bryant presents an annotated version of the war diaries that Alan Brooke who was the chief of the imperial general staff (CIGS) for most of the war, wrote at the actual time the events occurred. Brooke (later Lord Alanbrooke) interacted with Churchill throughout the war, so as a bonus you get some wonderful glimpses and anecdotes. show more Sometimes Brooke was grumpy and frustrated, but in the end you get a portrait of a highly intelligent and able man, who could hold all the strings together and became a major part of the allied victory. show less

Quite simply one of the most important books ever published on WWII, and one that gives remarkable insights into the condition of the army, life with Winston, and the key conferences at Yalta etc. Alanbrooke was shabbily treated after the war ended, and perhaps chose his friends unwisely, but if anyone deserves to be on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, he is the man.