Churchill's War Lab: Code Breakers, Scientists, and the Mavericks Churchill Led to Victory

by Taylor Downing

indefatigable patriot, seasoned soldier, incomparable orator, and, with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, leader of men --Winston Churchill's greatness in the allies' triumphant victory in World War ii is undisputed. yet, of his many unique qualities, Churchill's enduring legacy is attributable at least in equal part to his unshakeable fascination for the science of war. Churchill's War Lab reveals how Churchill's passion for military history, his inimitable leadership style, and his dedicated support of radical ideas would lead to new technologies and tactics that would enable an allied victory. no war generated more incredible theories, technical advances, and scientific leaps. from the development of radar and the decoding brilliance of Bletchley Park to the study of the D-Day beaches and the use of bouncing bombs, Churchill's War Lab is an exciting new take on Churchill as a complex, powerful, and inventive war leader.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, World History

416 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2010

Reviews

[William DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about Churchill and the way he fought WWII. With insight into his character and mannerisms that may help explain how he fought the war the way he did.

[Catherine Wojtkun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this--so much that Churchill involved in winning over the Germans in WWII.

As a young boy he re-enacted historic battles with toy soldiers, as a soldier he saw action on three continents, and as the Prime Minister only a direct edict from King George VI could keep him from joining the troops on D-Day.
"Churchill's War Lab" reveals how Churchill's passion for military history, his unique leadership style, and his patronization of radical new ideas would lead to new technology and new tactics that would save lives and enable an Allied victory. No war generated more incredible theories, more technical advances, more scientific leaps, or more pioneering work that lay the foundation for the post-war computer revolution. And it was Churchill's dogged determination and enthusiasm for revolutionary ideas that fuelled this extraordinary outpouring of British genius. From the coauthor of "Cold War" comes an exciting new take on Churchill's war leadership and the story of a complex, powerful and inventive war leader

[Laurent Franckx · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, I suppose I started reading this book with the wrong expectations. I thought the focus of the book would really be on the scientific and technical advisors that played such a key role in the allied victory in World War 2.
In reality, the book is a general discussion of the relationship between Churchill and *all* his advisers.
The problem is that his relation with the top brass has already been narrated in much more depth in Andrew Roberts' masterpiece "Masters and Commanders".
And once you mentally delete all the sections of the book dealing with purely military-operational matters, not much is left. Yes, there is some discussion of the scientific effort, much most of the discussion remains at the anecdotal level. I think the discussion of Churchill's health during the war takes more place than the discussion of the contributions of operations research and statistics to victory. One would expect more of a book discussing how important the boffins were.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, not great. It's about 90% explanation of World War II and about 10% scientists, code breakers etc.. Churchill was one of the first to have a scientist as part of his War Cabinet. Professor Lindemann later Lord Cherwell who sometimes let his ego get in the way, but always giving Churchill direction by breaking it all down and easy to understand. Critical when you don't have time to study and become an expert in physics.

One of my favorite parts is Alan Turing and colleagues writing directly to Churchill for more staff, equipment and supplies after being repeatedly ignored. Churchill cut the tape and got it done.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never seen such a misleading title in my life. This book is not about what its title suggests. It is part Churchill biography and part synopsis of WWII. It is not very good in either role. There is, quite simply, nothing to recommend this book.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a review about Churchill’s war years and his relationships with people, much less about his scientists and code-breakers. If you are looking for that you should read Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Giles Martin.

[Erik Lamberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit is een dikwijls saaie opsomming van duizenden feiten over de 2e wereldoorlog, maar het geeft een geweldig inzicht in diens complexiteit en intensiteit, en in het immense belang van Churchill zijn inspanningen.

[Marianne Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read! Downing really brings Churchill and those he came into contact with to life!

[Mark Sealby Moir]

Not a very good read.

[Andrew Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty gripping trip through WWII. We see Churchill portrayed in a fairly human way. Probably the right human at the right time...

His strategic skill and passion for war are illustrated all the way back to his toy soldiers as a child and his time in Africa during the Boer war. It’s as if he got what he asked for by leading this war effort.

He has an uncanny knack for creating innovative warfare, finding and empowering the right people. This thread runs throughout, although the main focus always remains on Churchill as puppet master.

Structured on a timeline, the book walks us through Britain’s fight - one that eventually, along with the Allies, takes down Hitler’s men.

[Robert Levitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

This shows facets of Winston Churchill’s leadership that aren’t apparent in other histories of World War II. It shows he was much more progressive in adopting alternative methods of waging war on opponents.

[Murdo Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who have read much about the history of World War 2 will find little that is new in Churchill's War Lab: Code Breakers, Boffins and Innovators: the Mavericks Who Brought Britain Victory by Taylor Downing The book will work best for those who are looking for an overview of the role of science in the war and an outline of its major events. The book also reexamines Churchill as a man and politician and his role in leading Britain through the trials of war. Useful for the reader looking for an overview of World War 2 or as a starting point to understanding the history.


Murdo Morrison

[Relstuart · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main focus of the book is Churchill and his bio. There is certainly some post-modern thinking/comments from the author about Churchill and his views on India, suffrage, progressivism, warrior spirit, and the British Empire. Not the sort of thing you hear from his contemporaries.

I really enjoyed learning a little about the science and how involved Churchill was in making sure Britain was taking every advantage science could provide during the war. Sadly, while the tile would lead one to believe science is the focus of the book the focus remains firmly on the biography of Churchill and an overview of the war. An easy read but probably not the best book on Churchill or the scientists supporting Britain during WWII.

[John Boyages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Very well written. Gives an overview of World War Two from Churchill's perspective and his support of scientists ("The Boffins") who helped win the war through the invention of radar, new tank designs, decoding German signals and the coup de grace, being the floating wharf built prior to D-day.Taylor Downing, shows the true character of Churchill- control freak, attention to detail, causing frustration for his Chiefs of Staff, extremely intuitive who had predicted the Cold War. Gripping, vivid and meticulously war reserached

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was sent me by one of my junior colleagues and his judgment proved out. I did have to struggle a bit to get past some contradictions in the first couple of chapters and I found the style of television documentary made book more than a little wearying, but overall it was worthwhile. The lesson to be learned here is that over-organization can often be worse than under-organization; newness and klutziness often have an inherent advantage over sophistication and dignity. Sadly modern management will likely be unable to comprehend if understand.

[Jess]

DNF, no rating. File this under misleading subtitles.

I picked this up thinking it would be about WWII science, scientists and the gadgets they came up with. Instead, it's a biography of Churchill as military leader. Nothing wrong with that, but I was expecting applied science and instead got fanboy history.

[Cody Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on Churchill focusing on his leadership in the war and what prepared him for being Prime Minister. It was a very readable book although Downing's presentation of events was a little erratic (although he walks you through this in the introduction). Overall it was an enjoyable read and I learned a whole lot about the great War leader, Winston Churchill.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, though I would have thought other 'war lab' initiatives such as P.L.U.T.O. (pipeline under the ocean), which was laid between England and France might at least have been mentioned. A book as much about Churchill's character, and how it affected the war effort, as the actual clever inventions.

[Leslie Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this should be a must read for anyone wanting to be motivated &/or interested in the impact & changes that attitude as well as technology can have in the world! Well written & makes you want to read more!

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's off to a slow start: the book spends what seems to be an inordinate number of pages reviewing Churchill's prewar biography. He is the central figure to the story, as is his admiration for new ideas and thinking, but it seemed too long to me.

[Harry Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Long on rehashing in brief Churchill's bio and history of WW2, short on detail regarding the "code-breakers, scientists and the mavericks Churchill led to victory" promised in the subtitle.

[Perry Andrus · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author really presents us with a breezy and easy to read biography of Churchill.

I expected much more on the WW2 science aspect.

This was a rather disappointing book. It spent very little time on the subject matter.

[William Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be completed later.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely easy read for a history book. It is also a great insight into the life and character of Churchill.