British Politics and Foreign Policy in the Age of Appeasement,1935-39

by R.J.Q. Adams

In this book historian R.J.Q. Adams examines the policy of appeasement as practiced by British Governments in the inter-war years - a programme widely praised in its day and frequently condemned as wrong-headed and even wicked ever since. In this thoroughly accessible work, he reveals the motivations and goals of the men who practiced appeasement as well as of those who opposed it, and makes clear the road to Munich - and to war.

Genres: History

204 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 1993

Reviews

[Reading Through the Lists · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self-described 'primer on appeasement' that is well-written and very accessible for those such as myself who know very little about that short but fascinating time in British history. Dr. Adams, with whom I took a British history course this semester, focusing in particular on Neville Chamberlain, who, contrary to modern thought was not a weak, irresolute little man sucked into Hitler's almighty influence but rather a tough, rough-and-tumble Prime Minister who thought he knew exactly the kind of men he was dealing with. Appeasement was not a reactionary movement caused by fear of Hitler but rather an active effort to prevent another war from engulfing Europe and ultimately the world. Dr. Adams covers the years from 1935-1939 and lays out the major actors and the European stage on which they attempted to forge "peace in their time."Unfortunately, it was the the wrong effort and the price for being wrong was a World War.