The Greatest of Friends: Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt 1941-1945

by Keith Alldritt

This book relates the story of the friendship that grew up between two of the great leaders of World War II. The result of extensive research carried out by the author on Churchill and Roosevelt, the book presents Churchill from the perspective of the Roosevelt circle which reveals new insights into this complex man. The men are presented not in the more abstract manner of conventional, political, military and diplomatic history but rather as two very charismatic individuals. The humour as well as the strength of character which both men shared comes across in the dramatic scenes which the author describes. There is also much suspense as the settling of certain major geopolitical issues hangs fire.

Genres: History, War, Nonfiction, Biography, Politics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 1995

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells a stroy from the perspective of the two wartime leaders, president Roosevelt form the United States and prime minister Churchill from the United Kingdom. It basically tells a story about all encounters between the two men, who quickly became friends. Beginning with the first encounter during the pre-war period (in which Winston Chruchill did not make a good impression on Roosevelt) untill the final meeting in Jalta. The main focus point is the great friendship between the two men, set in the background of the Second World War. It was a nice read, for me it was interesting to read that despite the differences between the British and American staffs, the two friends became closer and closer.

[AdultNonFiction Teton County Library]

Madeleine -
Oh, how I love me some Winston Churchill! I have my stuffed hippo named after him, did you know?
Anyway, anything on this fantastic character that quotes his witticisms directly gets my vote everytime so I'll ahve to admit to the bias up front.
I do find this author to be a bit annoying, however, in that he tosses about names as if you would be familiar with them already. As you can tell, I've read alot about and by the PM and even I was constantly struggling with who what whom. Quotes mean nothing if it could be some old Joe off the street (yes, putting "Lord" before their name should mean something but it really doesn't).

[Missmath144 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts with an analogy that all friendships have one person who kisses and the other who presents the cheek to be kissed, and that Roosevelt is the one who always presented his cheek to Churchill. Churchill was the constant friend. Franklin seemed to really like Churchill, but the friendship wasn't as unwavering.

The friendship develops along with America's involvement in World War II, so the book is partly a cursory history of the war and partly the two friends' involvement with and support of each other's war efforts.

[Ryan Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book full of stories about the friendship between Churchill and FDR--how they loved each other, resisted each other, abused each other, and laid the groundwork for winning World War II (and, inevitably, dismantling the British Empire). Stories from this book are so delightful I've enjoyed retelling them (as I recommend the book).

[Robthornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside look at US history. unique personal insights to the relationship dynamic between churchill and fdr very interesting historical perspective

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follows the relationship of FDR and Winston Churchill from WW1 when Roosevelt was undersecretary of the Navy to their final meeting in April, 1945.