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48th out of 51 books
—
2 voters
Winston's War (Winston Churchill #1)
From a bestselling novelist with an unrivalled insight into the workings of power comes a compelling new novel exploring Winston Churchill's remarkable journey from the wilderness to No 10 Downing Street at the beginning of World War II. Saturday 1 October 1938. Two men meet. One is elderly, the other in his twenties. One will become the most revered man of his time, and t...more
704 pages
Published
(first published 2002)
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"You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment..." Francis Urquhart's memorable quote from "House of Cards" was particularly useful in public relations career. Thank you, Michael Dobbs. And, thank you for "Winston's War," another look at British political infighting.
"Winston's War" has little enough to do with World War II, per se. It is all about the run-up to, and earliest days of the war, when Churchill's primary battle was with Neville Chamberlain and his Tory minions about app...more
"Winston's War" has little enough to do with World War II, per se. It is all about the run-up to, and earliest days of the war, when Churchill's primary battle was with Neville Chamberlain and his Tory minions about app...more
Interesting account as to how Winston Churchill came to be Prime Minister of England. It is amazing how long Neville Chamberlain was duped by Hitler. Chamberlain could not accept the fact that there were evil people leading Germany and Italy that were not gentlemen of honor, is there a parallel with President Obama? To be an effective leader in difficult times you have to be willing to make the tough decisions and place the interests of your country above the interests of your political party. C...more
A work of historical fiction with a great cast of characters. The great war leader Churchill, Neville Chamberlain, the great appeaser to Nazi demands, and the notorious Russian spy Guy Burgess all coming together in one novel. The book is fun to read but jumps around a lot making it difficult to track the action.
2 likes · like · see review
‘War comes in many different colours.’
On 1 October 1938, Winston Churchill met Guy Burgess. Churchill had already made a mark on the political landscape, Burgess was certainly going to. But what brought these men together? And what political intrigues and other machinations were part of the political landscape in this period immediately before Europe erupted into war?
Winston Churchill himself could well be described as ‘.. a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma ..’. At times, while readi...more
On 1 October 1938, Winston Churchill met Guy Burgess. Churchill had already made a mark on the political landscape, Burgess was certainly going to. But what brought these men together? And what political intrigues and other machinations were part of the political landscape in this period immediately before Europe erupted into war?
Winston Churchill himself could well be described as ‘.. a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma ..’. At times, while readi...more
What a surprisingly good read! I suppose I didn't expect much from this book, despite reading an interesting blurb on it, because Barnes & Noble was giving it away for free, as one of their Free Fridays offerings. Yes, I realize that such things are supposed to build interest in the author or in similar works. Still, many of the giveaways are worth what I pay for them. In this case, that view was in error.
Winston's War is an historical novel, focused on the run-up to World War II, as Neville...more
Winston's War is an historical novel, focused on the run-up to World War II, as Neville...more
Excellent work of fiction in which the principal characters and most of the supporting cast are real historical personages. The prose style is light and well-polished, making for easy and pleasant reading--perhaps a little too much so when the events covered are worthy of a touch of pomp and grandeur, for example in the House of Commons scenes. Still, it was probably wise of the author (a former advertising copywriter and PR man for the British Conservative Party) to stick to his last and not st...more
Apr 10, 2012
Liz
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
history lovers
Recommended to Liz by:
bn free fridays
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I always find stories about the war interesting, so much happened in reality that fiction is almost not necessary. This is a story more of the political side than the battle side, of how Churchill came to lead (and almost doesn't) the country in its time of greatest need. For i you learn about the war or see in tv or film, the political part leading up to 1940 i have to admit i knew nothing about, i didn't remember Chamberlain was even the Prime Minister when war began, or how much he clung onto...more
Winston’s War was a gripping and intelligent historical novel. The well-written layers of sub-plots, the many plot twists, the numerous characters (both historical and fictional), and the historic settings (10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Parliament, Chartwell, and so on) made this an enjoyable read. The many historical and political events (the meeting between Churchill and Burgess, the Munich Conference, the invasion of Poland, the German invasion of Norway, and Chamberlain’s resignation, among...more
From a bestselling novelist with an unrivalled insight into the workings of power comes a compelling new novel exploring Winston Churchill's remarkable journey from the wilderness to No 10 Downing Street at the beginning of World War II. Saturday 1 October 1938. Two men meet. One is elderly, the other in his twenties. One will become the most revered man of his time, and the other known as the greatest of traitors. Winston Churchill met Guy Burgess at a moment when the world was about to explode...more
I had my doubts about this book but was very glad that I stuck it through to the end. There is a cast of characters that's hard to track who appear seemingly at random. While it took some time to sort them out, it was one of the pleasures of sticking with the book as their role in the story all came to light as the end neared. This writer gives flesh to the beginning of England's involvement in World War II and to the characters involved in England's slow move towards war. Chamberlain reads like...more
Oh what a description of political maneuverings. Based on facts and events leading up to the early stages of England's involvement in World War II, I wish were not true. On the oher hand, fro the story, it is hard to decipher what parts were true - - people already familiar with the English history of the period would already have such insights.
Although a very good historical story, it was both fast and slow moving. The events leading to the political agreements, or changes in government, were a...more
Although a very good historical story, it was both fast and slow moving. The events leading to the political agreements, or changes in government, were a...more
This was an enjoyable mix of.accurate history.with some mildly tittalating fiction. I've held Winston in high regard since my childhood. My memory of him uttering his "Iron Curtain" speech in glorious B&W television news footage here in tje USA was probably the start of my Anglophillia. Dobbs makes the story interesting by tossing in US Ambassador Joseph Kennedy, a somewhT overbearinng Neville Chamberlin and others to bring the story of Winston's ascension back into his role as prime ministe...more
I've been on a British royalty kick lately so I thought it would be cool to read about Winston Churchill since he was QEII's first Prime Minister. This was so hard to get through. I don't know if it was because I was reading it on my nook, or because I don't really understand British politics or because I wasn't familiar with the subject matter, but it was tough. I've been reading this for well over three weeks. I actually had to stop halfway through and give my mind a break because I just COULD...more
I'm torn between needing another star between I liked it and I really liked it, but I don't know what to call it. I feel something more than I liked it, but something less than I really liked it.
I never thought much about reading a book about Winston Churchill. I never thougt much about reading a book about the beginning of the 2nd World War in Europe either. Why DID I read this book?
Someting about the book cover and and title called to me. The story sounded interesting when I read the review A...more
I never thought much about reading a book about Winston Churchill. I never thougt much about reading a book about the beginning of the 2nd World War in Europe either. Why DID I read this book?
Someting about the book cover and and title called to me. The story sounded interesting when I read the review A...more
Interesting fictionalization of the lead up to World War II in England, and the transfer of power from Chamberlain to Churchill. Mostly focused on the incompetence of politicians, the back room deals and bargains, and the characters that interact with them. Despite being titled after Winston Churchill, the story is actually told almost entirely through other characters. I can't judge how historically accurate the author's speculations are but it was an interesting read.
Nov 04, 2012
Lillie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012,
historical-fiction
I found this book somewhat depressing because of the attitudes of the people in the British government prior to and at the beginning of World War II. Most of the so-called leaders were more interested in their own careers than in the welfare of their country. They spend more time on their own interests than on the interests of their constituents and their country. It reminded me too much of what is happening in this country today.
Very good work, though the side stories are a bit overdone while Churchill, for whom the book is named, barely appears until the very end. There are several shocking inferences, such as Winston taking money from the Soviets before the war and Joe Kennedy's niece being a spy, that make you want to research the records on your own to see how true any of this might be. Overall, a good read.
A wonderful blend of literary license and actual fact. Sometimes a trifle tedious but inclusive of all the traits that make up an interesting read. Churchill is a hero of mine so I was naturally drawn to the book. It almost invites the reader to investigate the real facts on Churchill's rise to power. Regardless of the "how", we can all be thankful it worked out as it did!
Feb 14, 2009
Windy
marked it as to-read
I'm bummed. Our library doesn't have any of Dobbs's Churchill books. I've always been fascinated by WWII history and after visiting the Cabinet War Rooms in London, I've wanted to know more about Churchill. I'm not all that fond of actual biographies, so I thought a good historical fiction would work well. I guess I'll have to keep looking.
The title is a double entendre. London 1939 full of spies, commines, and very few patriots. Parliament is extremely partisian. You're either with Chamberlain and the appeasers or not. Dirty tricks did not start in the US. The book and subsequent titles paints an unflattering view of Joe Kennedy (patriarch of the clan) Great read!
I thought this book was facinating on a lot of different levels. I was facinated with the English governmental system. I was facinated with the interaction between Chamberlain and Churchill. It was a facinating time in history. I was interested in how Churchill came to be Prime Minister. It was a good read, however there were some seedy parts that I feel could have been left out and still kept the integrity of the story. It was well written.
I expected more of the time Churchill was Prime Minister, but this was mostly historical fiction of the build up to him gaining the office. hard to follow some of the MANY characters at times, but it does leave me curious to read more on Churchill and the real history surrounding his time during WWII.
I was surprised that the book did not go further into Churchill's role as Prime Minister during WWII. This book was more about the political maneuvering that attempted to keep Churchill from assuming this role, and what eventually allowed him to fulfill this position that he felt destined to have.
I enjoyed the book, particularly the last 100 pages. The book had too many unnecessary references to the character's sex lives for me, but if you can overlook that, it is intriguing.
I enjoyed the book, particularly the last 100 pages. The book had too many unnecessary references to the character's sex lives for me, but if you can overlook that, it is intriguing.
I couldn't put this one down.
It was a great look into what may have been going on behind the scenes just before that start of World War 2.
This book made me want to know more about that history and to read more by this author.
I've been recommending this one and will read it again.
It was a great look into what may have been going on behind the scenes just before that start of World War 2.
This book made me want to know more about that history and to read more by this author.
I've been recommending this one and will read it again.
I thought this book would be more about WWII, so was surprised that it was solely about the political struggles prior to Churchill's assumption of the Prime Minister position.
This book was brutal in it's assessment of every character in the book - no one was spared the caustic review of their flaws and foibles. Not a like able character in the bunch except for maybe Mac and Carol's kids. I thought the book was a bit too broad in terms of the number of story lines and certainly in the number of c...more
This book was brutal in it's assessment of every character in the book - no one was spared the caustic review of their flaws and foibles. Not a like able character in the bunch except for maybe Mac and Carol's kids. I thought the book was a bit too broad in terms of the number of story lines and certainly in the number of c...more
Fictionalized account of Winston Churchill in WWII by a master of the political novel. Winston is presented warts and all. Fascinating study of a complex and deeply flawed man whose good traits outnumbered his bad ones on most days.
This fictional account of the 22 months prior to Winston Churchill succeeding Neville Chamberlain as prime minister is based broadly on historical events. Several different plot lines involving a variety of characters make it challenging to keep track of who is who and their relation to other characters. I've always enjoyed "historic fiction" and this is book is one of the best inthis genre.
A fictionalized account, which is fine but since I'm history-stupid, I didn't like being unsure of what was fiction and what wasn't. Still, it was fine. Losing some of the extraneous storylines/characters would have given it a half-star boost, but it's firmly in the 2.5-3 range.
I did like this but could have done with less description of how much some of the characters drank, and the trolling for sex partners in some of the dodgier areas of London. I did get the message that some of the players in the saga were gay. I didn't need to be beaten over the head with it.
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Michael Dobbs was born on the same day, in the same hour as Prince Charles in 1948.
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he...more
More about Michael Dobbs...
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he...more
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Jun 18, 2012 08:23pm