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Churchill and America
An account of the former British prime minister's seventy-year relationship with the United States describes how his work during the First and Second World Wars laid a foundation of a century-long alliance between the countries and established a key policy of cooperation that continues to this day. 75,000 first printing.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
22 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Martin Gilbert
249 books418 followersThe official biographer of Winston Churchill and a leading historian on the Twentieth Century, Sir Martin Gilbert was a scholar and an historian who, though his 88 books, has shown there is such a thing as “true history”
Born in London in 1936, Martin Gilbert was educated at Highgate School, and Magdalen College, Oxford, graduating with First Class Honours. He was a Research Scholar at St Anthony's College, and became a Fellow of Merton College, Oxford in 1962, and an Honorary Fellow in 1994. After working as a researcher for Randolph Churchill, Gilbert was chosen to take over the writing of the Churchill biography upon Randolph's death in 1968, writing six of the eight volumes of biography and editing twelve volumes of documents. In addition, Gilbert has written pioneering and classic works on the First and Second World Wars, the Twentieth Century, the Holocaust, and Jewish history.
Gilbert drove every aspect of his books, from finding archives to corresponding with eyewitnesses and participants that gave his work veracity and meaning, to finding and choosing illustrations, drawing maps that mention each place in the text, and compiling the indexes. He travelled widely lecturing and researching, advised political figures and filmmakers, and gave a voice and a name “to those who fought and those who fell.”
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Born in London in 1936, Martin Gilbert was educated at Highgate School, and Magdalen College, Oxford, graduating with First Class Honours. He was a Research Scholar at St Anthony's College, and became a Fellow of Merton College, Oxford in 1962, and an Honorary Fellow in 1994. After working as a researcher for Randolph Churchill, Gilbert was chosen to take over the writing of the Churchill biography upon Randolph's death in 1968, writing six of the eight volumes of biography and editing twelve volumes of documents. In addition, Gilbert has written pioneering and classic works on the First and Second World Wars, the Twentieth Century, the Holocaust, and Jewish history.
Gilbert drove every aspect of his books, from finding archives to corresponding with eyewitnesses and participants that gave his work veracity and meaning, to finding and choosing illustrations, drawing maps that mention each place in the text, and compiling the indexes. He travelled widely lecturing and researching, advised political figures and filmmakers, and gave a voice and a name “to those who fought and those who fell.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 11, 2014
Over one half of this book focuses on the World War II years. Martin Gilbert has a style of “only the facts”. There is little probing beneath the surface as the book quotes Churchill enormously and also uses letters sent to Churchill. I was, for instance, hoping to find some enlightenment as to why Churchill did not attend Roosevelt’s funeral, but found virtually none. Churchill travelled continuously during the war years – so why did he not go to the U.S. to at least meet Roosevelt’s successor Truman? I did find some interesting speculation on this in Jon Meacham’s Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship.
“Churchill and America” makes for highly interesting reading because the story in itself is great history. But there are still many things missing. Eleanor Roosevelt is absent and Clementine is rarely present.
Martin Gilbert follows the path of many historians in the assumption that Roosevelt caved in at Yalta. He does not mention the concessions that Stalin gave about the U.N. or that Poland was already a “fait accompli” for Stalin by that time (there were millions of Russian troops in Poland by January 1945).
My favourite quote (in a telegram to Truman): “An iron curtain is drawn upon their front. We do not know what is going on behind this enormous Muscovite advance into the centre of Europe which will isolate us from Poland”.
“Churchill and America” makes for highly interesting reading because the story in itself is great history. But there are still many things missing. Eleanor Roosevelt is absent and Clementine is rarely present.
Martin Gilbert follows the path of many historians in the assumption that Roosevelt caved in at Yalta. He does not mention the concessions that Stalin gave about the U.N. or that Poland was already a “fait accompli” for Stalin by that time (there were millions of Russian troops in Poland by January 1945).
My favourite quote (in a telegram to Truman): “An iron curtain is drawn upon their front. We do not know what is going on behind this enormous Muscovite advance into the centre of Europe which will isolate us from Poland”.
January 10, 2017
A fascinating and well-written account that focuses on Churchill's relationship with the United States of America: his American genealogical history, his numerous trips to the New World, and his friendships with leaders such as FDR and Truman.
If you are looking for more biographical details of Churchill, go instead to Gilbert's actual biography, as I found this particular work glossed over some life details as its focus was specifically Churchill and America, just as the title indicates.
If you are looking for more biographical details of Churchill, go instead to Gilbert's actual biography, as I found this particular work glossed over some life details as its focus was specifically Churchill and America, just as the title indicates.
August 3, 2008
Martin Gilbert wrote the definitive Churchill biography, and this book is more or less a spin-off of that gigantic effort. But it's worth spending time with, because it turns out that Churchill's relationships with his mother, America, Roosevelt, and a number of Americans who mentored the great Prime Minister were critical to the outcome of WW II and thus history as we think we know it.
What Gilbert brings out best is the provisional nature of the early war years for Churchill. To put it simply, he didn't know he was going to win the war. In fact, he made rather substantive preparations for losing it. At his most despairing, he talked about going down fighting, or at least not surviving the invasion of England.
Churchill was convinced that if he could bring the US into the war, the Allies would win it in the end. Of course, he was right, but that didn't make it any clearer at the time to other politicians or the public -- in Europe or the US. The drama of his prolonged wooing of Roosevelt and the US is compelling to read, and a useful corrective to history written backwards which makes the US's entry into the war appear inevitable or easy.
Gilbert puts you right in the moment with the doubts, the second guesses, the decisions, and the vagaries of the war, not to mention Churchill's years out of office before the war when he saw it coming and almost no one else did.
It's a slow read, but well worth it.
What Gilbert brings out best is the provisional nature of the early war years for Churchill. To put it simply, he didn't know he was going to win the war. In fact, he made rather substantive preparations for losing it. At his most despairing, he talked about going down fighting, or at least not surviving the invasion of England.
Churchill was convinced that if he could bring the US into the war, the Allies would win it in the end. Of course, he was right, but that didn't make it any clearer at the time to other politicians or the public -- in Europe or the US. The drama of his prolonged wooing of Roosevelt and the US is compelling to read, and a useful corrective to history written backwards which makes the US's entry into the war appear inevitable or easy.
Gilbert puts you right in the moment with the doubts, the second guesses, the decisions, and the vagaries of the war, not to mention Churchill's years out of office before the war when he saw it coming and almost no one else did.
It's a slow read, but well worth it.
April 17, 2023
Quote soup, but not an uninteresting one!
January 4, 2025
3.5 Stars
This book is comprised of excerpts from Gilbert’s massive writings on Churchill. It focuses entirely on Churchill’s many interactions with the United States & prominent American leaders during his long life. It is chock full of wonderful Churchill quotes.
The best aspect of the narrative for me was the British perspective on events and people, something seldom seen in bios or histories of the Americans engaged with Churchill.
Examples:
During WW I, U.S. tried to remain neutral while U.S. shipping was vital to provide allies with war supplies. But German submarine strategy was designed to deter such shipping. Churchill wrote to his cabinet colleague “ It is important to attract neutral shipping in the hope of embroiling the U.S. w/ Germany. For our part if some of it gets into trouble, better for us.”
In 1940, as the Nazis were bombing England mercilessly, Churchill was begging FDR for help and painted a dire situation. Yet he had to balance this with continued assurances Britain would hold on and not surrender, thus justifying the U.S. aid, realizing that FDR faced strong isolationist sentiment which would defeat any U.S. support if it appeared Britain’s situation was hopeless.
The book concentrates on the war years as do other historians since this was the time of the most critical interactions. Like bios of FDR, Gilbert also shows how Britain morphed from the last bulwark against Hitler into the 3rd wheel between FDR and Stalin and there were many differences of opinion on military and post war reconstruction strategies among the allies. At times, it seems a miracle the allies were so successful in the end.
But there are a few subtle differences of perspective from the Smith & Brand FDR bios and Gilbert’s writing:
Gilbert says FDR was looking for an incident to justify U.S. entering war before Pearl Harbor. Smith is silent on this but Brand hints at it.
Gilbert says FDR ‘stopped sharing’ atom bomb research in late 1942 yet Smith says there was some ‘reluctance’ but FDR intervened to continue sharing.
“History is argument without end’”
This book is comprised of excerpts from Gilbert’s massive writings on Churchill. It focuses entirely on Churchill’s many interactions with the United States & prominent American leaders during his long life. It is chock full of wonderful Churchill quotes.
The best aspect of the narrative for me was the British perspective on events and people, something seldom seen in bios or histories of the Americans engaged with Churchill.
Examples:
During WW I, U.S. tried to remain neutral while U.S. shipping was vital to provide allies with war supplies. But German submarine strategy was designed to deter such shipping. Churchill wrote to his cabinet colleague “ It is important to attract neutral shipping in the hope of embroiling the U.S. w/ Germany. For our part if some of it gets into trouble, better for us.”
In 1940, as the Nazis were bombing England mercilessly, Churchill was begging FDR for help and painted a dire situation. Yet he had to balance this with continued assurances Britain would hold on and not surrender, thus justifying the U.S. aid, realizing that FDR faced strong isolationist sentiment which would defeat any U.S. support if it appeared Britain’s situation was hopeless.
The book concentrates on the war years as do other historians since this was the time of the most critical interactions. Like bios of FDR, Gilbert also shows how Britain morphed from the last bulwark against Hitler into the 3rd wheel between FDR and Stalin and there were many differences of opinion on military and post war reconstruction strategies among the allies. At times, it seems a miracle the allies were so successful in the end.
But there are a few subtle differences of perspective from the Smith & Brand FDR bios and Gilbert’s writing:
Gilbert says FDR was looking for an incident to justify U.S. entering war before Pearl Harbor. Smith is silent on this but Brand hints at it.
Gilbert says FDR ‘stopped sharing’ atom bomb research in late 1942 yet Smith says there was some ‘reluctance’ but FDR intervened to continue sharing.
“History is argument without end’”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2021
Martin Gilbert skillfully weaves together Churchill's own words from letters, books and speeches to tell the story of the great man's relationship with America and Americans both famous and not so famous. For example, Gilbert recounts Churchill's relationships not only with FDR and Eisenhower but also with the young man who struck and nearly killed Churchill while he was crossing Fifth Avenue in the early 30's. The book is lean and laser-focused; Gilbert really relies on Churchill's words and so certain episodes are skipped over e.g. Averill Harriman's affair with Pamela Churchill. The book does contain a few curious errors. Churchill did not learn of Pearl Harbor on the night of December 8 and Bourke Cockran could not have run for president as he was born in Ireland.
November 2, 2017
Since Gilbert is Churchill's official biographer, I am always concerned as to whether he will be fully candid regarding his subject. Regardless, I found this to be an excellent biography of Churchill which carefully balanced a need to describe the events which were happening while remaining focused on the acts and thoughts of Churchill. There should be a good deal of repetition from Gilbert's Churchill biographies, but this puts together the American narrative very clearly. One can wonder what the post war world might have looked like with Churchill's enduring efforts to keep and maintain the Anglo-American alliance.
March 5, 2024
People love their own state and their heroes.
So they love the lies that help them feel better.
Britain could on behalf of the Greek because liberty on their side.
Stalin could not on behalf of the Poland because liberty does not on their side.
Greek people could be killed for peace and stability because liberty on the British side.
Polish people could not be killed for peace and stability because liberty does not on the Russian side.
It is a political campaign for hate.
We learn to hate the differences on our interests side.
Where are the Greek and Polish no one said.
Cause
We are the liberty to kill others with justify.
So they love the lies that help them feel better.
Britain could on behalf of the Greek because liberty on their side.
Stalin could not on behalf of the Poland because liberty does not on their side.
Greek people could be killed for peace and stability because liberty on the British side.
Polish people could not be killed for peace and stability because liberty does not on the Russian side.
It is a political campaign for hate.
We learn to hate the differences on our interests side.
Where are the Greek and Polish no one said.
Cause
We are the liberty to kill others with justify.
August 23, 2017
1: Author's style is boring to me.
2: Specific angle on Churchill is not specifically more engaging than any other.
3: I do not share the infatuation with the man that all other white men seem to have. He was a colonialist, a drunkard and a bully -- and his actions as Prime Minister were not uniquely laudable, nor particularly laudable in general when it comes to that. He was a war criminal, he lost the war, he hated non-anglos, he did absurd things with spies and I kinda hate him.
2: Specific angle on Churchill is not specifically more engaging than any other.
3: I do not share the infatuation with the man that all other white men seem to have. He was a colonialist, a drunkard and a bully -- and his actions as Prime Minister were not uniquely laudable, nor particularly laudable in general when it comes to that. He was a war criminal, he lost the war, he hated non-anglos, he did absurd things with spies and I kinda hate him.
October 30, 2017
The author has written extensively about Churchill in other volumes. This book covers the 16 visits that Churchill, who had an American mother, made to the U.S. between 1895 and 1961. It resembles a diary in many spots, quoting correspondence that tends to be replete with trivial details. I would to have seen more interpretation about the overall picture.
April 25, 2022
Wonderfully written and researched. Great account of an amazing statesman and politician through two world wars and then some. It mentions many of Churchill’s writings but quotes only a few. A good review of 20th century history.
January 10, 2018
Awesome, highly readable. Gilbert does a masterful job at weaving together Churchill's literary genius and political, visionary prowess.
February 20, 2023
An informative and entertaining read.
November 15, 2024
3-1/2* Interesting to get a more detailed view of the UK/US relationship form Churchill's viewpoint.
January 22, 2016
Among all of the titanic figures of World War II, there is none that looms larger than the figure of Winston Churchill. I suppose what strikes me most is, while certainly a colorful character, he is really quite a simple one. His courageous actions were driven, in reality, by a very few core principles and a generous serving of dogged determination. I suppose it could be said without exaggeration that Churchill is THE icon of 20th-century conservative politics.
There is, almost certainly, no greater authority on Churchill's life than Martin Gilbert, who was named Churchill's official biographer in 1968. Compared to his 8-volume official biography, the present book is something of an appendix, I suppose, but I found it charmingly written and very skillful in its argument that Churchill--because of his American roots, his grasp of the American psyche and political system, and mainly his stubborn optimism that the USA and Britain could and should be friends--is perhaps THE "Prime Mover" of US-GB relations from World War II up to present day.
I suppose, in some ways, the book could be said (not totally unexpectedly) to favor Churchill; when tensions are described, more often Roosevelt of Truman or Eisenhower are identified as the point of origin. By and large, though, the descriptions of those difficulties never struck me as completely unfair or irreparably biased. Gilbert does a great job of letting the reader see events through Churchill's eyes, wonderfully helped by the generous quotations from Churchill's telegrams, speeches, letters, and notes.
This the first book I've read focused on Winston Churchill and I suppose the best compliment I can give it is that it has left me wanting to read more about this remarkable British prime minister, whose decisive leadership shaped world history in ways that we have probably not yet fully fathomed.
There is, almost certainly, no greater authority on Churchill's life than Martin Gilbert, who was named Churchill's official biographer in 1968. Compared to his 8-volume official biography, the present book is something of an appendix, I suppose, but I found it charmingly written and very skillful in its argument that Churchill--because of his American roots, his grasp of the American psyche and political system, and mainly his stubborn optimism that the USA and Britain could and should be friends--is perhaps THE "Prime Mover" of US-GB relations from World War II up to present day.
I suppose, in some ways, the book could be said (not totally unexpectedly) to favor Churchill; when tensions are described, more often Roosevelt of Truman or Eisenhower are identified as the point of origin. By and large, though, the descriptions of those difficulties never struck me as completely unfair or irreparably biased. Gilbert does a great job of letting the reader see events through Churchill's eyes, wonderfully helped by the generous quotations from Churchill's telegrams, speeches, letters, and notes.
This the first book I've read focused on Winston Churchill and I suppose the best compliment I can give it is that it has left me wanting to read more about this remarkable British prime minister, whose decisive leadership shaped world history in ways that we have probably not yet fully fathomed.
August 18, 2015
A thin line through history fleshed out by Churchill's irascible nature & his passion for Anglo-American unity. So strong is his desire that he will portray the two countries as split amoebas that must recombine sexually, amongst other curious analogies. Half American himself (and 1/64th Native Indian no less) he had good reason to delve into US histories & to long for a cultural commingling. It's in the UK's darkest WW2 days that his mixture of American exposure, stalwart 'Anglo Democratising', geopolitical nous & resonant optimism come most strikingly and winningly to the fore tho. His early exploits and latter-day political tenacity are all interesting too, but it's his eventual friendship with Roosevelt that is undoubtedly the 'heart' of this story.
On the downside you seem get his every single quote on public record concerning the States throughout this redoubtable work. It can be a bit of a crawling trawl at times. I feel I understand the bulldog, US/UK relations, & the last political century better tho, no doubt. It's interesting to see Winnie's passions overrunning as well as elevating him. He may decry 'oilism' as the new colonialism, but he was happy with the UK's colonial-style domination of Iran's oil profits (and the UK/US 'regime change' to reclaim them). He may hope, with his earlier racist-nationalism, that the US & the UK are bonded on account of washing regularly, but he seemed to ignore the horror this evoked in some US quarters (mainly amongst those convinced the UK was full of dirty foreigners ;)).
Say what you will though, the guy coined the word 'summit', influenced the far-sighted Marshall Plan & eventual NATO & UN attempts at global security, and used his hard-nosed experience to find places for hope to flourish in troubled times.
3.5
On the downside you seem get his every single quote on public record concerning the States throughout this redoubtable work. It can be a bit of a crawling trawl at times. I feel I understand the bulldog, US/UK relations, & the last political century better tho, no doubt. It's interesting to see Winnie's passions overrunning as well as elevating him. He may decry 'oilism' as the new colonialism, but he was happy with the UK's colonial-style domination of Iran's oil profits (and the UK/US 'regime change' to reclaim them). He may hope, with his earlier racist-nationalism, that the US & the UK are bonded on account of washing regularly, but he seemed to ignore the horror this evoked in some US quarters (mainly amongst those convinced the UK was full of dirty foreigners ;)).
Say what you will though, the guy coined the word 'summit', influenced the far-sighted Marshall Plan & eventual NATO & UN attempts at global security, and used his hard-nosed experience to find places for hope to flourish in troubled times.
3.5
September 6, 2008
Wow!! I now know so much more about Churchill, Roosevelt, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, the British Government, American Foreign Policy, and even the sentiments of my Great-Great-Grandparents than I would have thought possible, even in a book that is thirteen CDs long. Did you know that the bombing of Pearl Harbour actually occurred on December 8th in Hawaii time? Did you know that Churchill wasn't elected Prime Minister the first time around (during WWII)? Did you know that his Mother was American and his Father British? I didn't know any of these things. I feel I have a better grasp on the times that came just before mine and I'm interested now to read (or listen) to a biography on F.D. Roosevelt to see how Churchill is portrayed. Two anecdotes I really like: Churchill gave speech tours in America in which he promoted as the Anglo-Saxon heritage that we are superior because of our regular bathing. Secondly, during a visit to Pres. Roosevelt during WWII Churchill began dictating while taking a bath, when his towel was put on him he went into the next room and continued dictated, eventually the towel fell to the floor. Still he continued dictating. When Pres. Roosevelt walked in and found him thus unattired Churchill responded (to the effect of) "now you see I hold nothing back from you."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2011
Biographies many times is written solely on the dates, times, and events of the "what happened" in a persons life but can leave the personal side of the person's life open to authors interpretation. In "Churchill and America" you receive the full personal side of Churchill and their reaction to him from their own words. Gilbert showed his extensive research in uncovering the archived writings and words of Churchill and his contemporaries to build his narrative. I found his ability to build the story beyond Churchill's own words but formulate it in such a format that it captured Churchill's voice a sign that he understood the man he was writing about. "Churchill and America" is a great read for anyone interested in the history of WWI and WWII but also for those interested in the development of American and British relationships.
Also I found that with today's economic climate, there are many parallels that we in America could learn from and how to address our current economic problems. By studying US and British pre-WWII economic policy and both nations' post-war debt issues, you can build a path where some of our errors occurred and how we can correct those bad decisions.
Also I found that with today's economic climate, there are many parallels that we in America could learn from and how to address our current economic problems. By studying US and British pre-WWII economic policy and both nations' post-war debt issues, you can build a path where some of our errors occurred and how we can correct those bad decisions.
April 16, 2014
Churchill and America is a book that had been on my reading stack for quite some time. Truth is, I had been putting it off, thinking that I just didn't have the focus to really concentrate on it. I have read part o Gilbert's biography of Churchill, which is excellent, but Gilbert can be a bit dogged and I wasn't sure I was really up to it, much as I admire Churchill. Well, I was mistaken. The book is fantastically interesting, and it is not at all a classic biography, as it is for the most part fairly one-sided. You get Churchill in Churchill's words, and in the words and communications of people who knew him and dealt with him at the time, but mostly this is a view of Churchill himself through his own words. The book is filled with many letters, telegrams, speaches, and other notes and bits. At many times I was moved to tears and had to stop reading. Martin Gilbert managed to compile the material and write the book in a way that emphasized the human, as opposed to the bigger picture, although Churchill seemed to have a very good instinct for the bigger picture, more so than many other people. Over half the book concerns WWII and it was one of the most moving approaches to that war I have read.
June 8, 2021
Meticulously researched. I really enjoyed the chapters building up to World War 2 and the aftermath of World War 2. It was also an easy to read book, which is something history books often fail on.
It gives a good insight in to how strong ties between the USA and the UK were central to Churchill throughout his life, based on a shared language and love of freedom. No doubt his mother being American played a key role.
However, in many parts of the book, I would have like to have seen more analysis and critiques of Churchill. After all as Roy Jenkins showed in his excellent book on Churchill, one can be a great leader, but still make many mistakes.
In previous books by Gilbert on Churchill and the Jews and on Israel, there was more objectivity from Gilbert which added to the quality of the book. In a lot of this book, though admirably written and coming from a wide range of sources I felt this was often missed. Perhaps Gilbert was constrained in this book by being Churchill's official biographer.
I have no problem with historians with bias. After all we all have this, but I think that does not stop one looking at other points of view and as all humans are imperfect even great ones, haigoraphies are something to avoid.
It gives a good insight in to how strong ties between the USA and the UK were central to Churchill throughout his life, based on a shared language and love of freedom. No doubt his mother being American played a key role.
However, in many parts of the book, I would have like to have seen more analysis and critiques of Churchill. After all as Roy Jenkins showed in his excellent book on Churchill, one can be a great leader, but still make many mistakes.
In previous books by Gilbert on Churchill and the Jews and on Israel, there was more objectivity from Gilbert which added to the quality of the book. In a lot of this book, though admirably written and coming from a wide range of sources I felt this was often missed. Perhaps Gilbert was constrained in this book by being Churchill's official biographer.
I have no problem with historians with bias. After all we all have this, but I think that does not stop one looking at other points of view and as all humans are imperfect even great ones, haigoraphies are something to avoid.
December 21, 2012
"If you were my husband, I'd put poison in your coffee," is what Nancy Astor told Winston Churchill. "If you were my wife, I would drink it," is what he replied.
Was recently talking to some friends about what superpower you'd want if you could only have one... deep, philosophical stuff. I think I might want to always have a quick, nasty comeback ready.
Really interesting book. Didn't know Churchill's mom was American. His speeches, foresight and leadership were impressive and sorely missed these days. In the 20s and 30s, he saw guided missiles, atomic bombs, and all of WWII coming. I think he probably had a better view in the 50s of what will be happening 10 years from now than current politicians. Another fantasy would be having him and W. meet although all his wit would be lost on 43.
Oh and when asked what he thought of prohibition while in the States during its existence, he said Britian collected millions of pounds for the sale of alcohol... the States sends that money to its bootleggers. A politician with real life experience and personality who stood by his convictions.
Was recently talking to some friends about what superpower you'd want if you could only have one... deep, philosophical stuff. I think I might want to always have a quick, nasty comeback ready.
Really interesting book. Didn't know Churchill's mom was American. His speeches, foresight and leadership were impressive and sorely missed these days. In the 20s and 30s, he saw guided missiles, atomic bombs, and all of WWII coming. I think he probably had a better view in the 50s of what will be happening 10 years from now than current politicians. Another fantasy would be having him and W. meet although all his wit would be lost on 43.
Oh and when asked what he thought of prohibition while in the States during its existence, he said Britian collected millions of pounds for the sale of alcohol... the States sends that money to its bootleggers. A politician with real life experience and personality who stood by his convictions.
September 25, 2010
This book would be a poor introduction to the life of Winston Churchill, one of the lions of the British Empire. But it explains quite well how Churchill was able to profit financially as an author from his close relationship with a wide variety of Americans. And it explains in detail his courtship of the United States as an ally in World War II and in the Cold War that followed, where "Never be separated from the Americans" became his mantra in the post-war era.
The author, Martin Gilbert, is Churchill's official biographer. In this book he found ample material to illuminate another corner of Churchill's life. It covers friendships that Churchill had with Americans who don't normally emerge in other biographies because people like Kay Halle never had an official role.
Churchill's opinions in the Cold War era may be surprising to many: he felt Pres. Eisenhower inflexible in his dealings with the Russians and clearly distrusted John Foster Dulles. He also deplored the activities of Sen Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s, once remarking to an aide, "As if we haven't enought problems without that fellow McCarthy pigging everything up."
The author, Martin Gilbert, is Churchill's official biographer. In this book he found ample material to illuminate another corner of Churchill's life. It covers friendships that Churchill had with Americans who don't normally emerge in other biographies because people like Kay Halle never had an official role.
Churchill's opinions in the Cold War era may be surprising to many: he felt Pres. Eisenhower inflexible in his dealings with the Russians and clearly distrusted John Foster Dulles. He also deplored the activities of Sen Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s, once remarking to an aide, "As if we haven't enought problems without that fellow McCarthy pigging everything up."
November 30, 2009
This book has all the classic Martin Gilbert pleasures and drawbacks. As for the pleasures, it is once again fantastically interesting. Gilbert knows more about Churchill than any living writer, unsurprising given that Gilbert has written most of the volumes of Churchill's authorized biography (Winston's son Randolph wrote the first two volumes) and edited many volumes of his documents, as well as a one-volume treatment.
Gilbert's style is in effect to walk the reader through a calendar-like recitation of his subject's doings. It's dogged and somewhat of a blunt instrument. But again, the subject is so interesting and Gilbert is so knowledgeable. So even with the stylistic flaws, I enjoyed the book a great deal.
Gilbert's style is in effect to walk the reader through a calendar-like recitation of his subject's doings. It's dogged and somewhat of a blunt instrument. But again, the subject is so interesting and Gilbert is so knowledgeable. So even with the stylistic flaws, I enjoyed the book a great deal.
March 23, 2016
As a student of history, Churchill's influence has been something I've often seen referenced, but rarely elaborated upon. In this book, Gilbert does an excellent job of weaving the history of world wars into the story of Churchill's diplomatic relations--and personal relationship--with the US, without getting caught up in them like so many other works about this period. One of the themes that Gilbert visits and revisits is Churchill's unrelenting push for Anglo-American alliance. After reading it, I think the extent to which his (churchill's) deliberate, yet warmly personal relationships with the POTUS influenced American participation and sentiment are difficult to overstate.
September 2, 2014
I started this book first as a hardbound and finished when it, with a start over, on my Kindle. As is usual with books like this I read in spurts putting it down for long periods of time then picking up again when the mood strikes me again. Well worth the read any way you chose to read it. Gilbert as the official biographer of Churchill draws on the vast amount of information he has collected about Churchill over the decades provide the reader an informative history of Churchill's long relationship with America; he was half American through his mother Jennie Jerome.
July 21, 2015
Churchill has always been a kind of pied piper for me...I am so drawn to his words. Such eloquent words. Not to mention his wit. An amazing mind.
I did not know he had Native American Indian in his blood.
I did enjoy this book because it was specific to US. Since I am so enamoured by Churchill I found myself mentally arguing with anybody that defied him. Britain and the US. I don't think he was ever wrong. I can't imagine what he would have to say about today's world.
I did not know he had Native American Indian in his blood.
I did enjoy this book because it was specific to US. Since I am so enamoured by Churchill I found myself mentally arguing with anybody that defied him. Britain and the US. I don't think he was ever wrong. I can't imagine what he would have to say about today's world.
October 30, 2011
This is the history of Winston Churchill and his relationship with the United States of America. He was born to a British father and an American mother. This book details the relationship between the UK and the USA during WWI & WWII. It is an excellent book if you want to learn more about a great leader, Winston Churchill.
October 25, 2012
Excellent content. The narrator was not my favorite. Martin Gilbert has all the facts but his writing is not as interesting to listen to as William Manchester's The Last Lion Volume 1.
Gilbert gives all the info, but Manchester's version paints a broader picture of the times the events took place in.
This is definitely a Churchill Book to read if you are interested in all things Churchill.
Gilbert gives all the info, but Manchester's version paints a broader picture of the times the events took place in.
This is definitely a Churchill Book to read if you are interested in all things Churchill.
December 2, 2013
favorite subject yet I found the author's writing style dry. This made the book very difficult to read though I know the subject well. I had been looking forward to the specificity of focus this book was to have covered and feel disappointed I was unable to move past my inability to relate as a reader to how it was written.
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