1942: Britain at the Brink

by Taylor Downing

'Taylor Downing is a wonderful historian and a wonderful history communicator' Dan Snow, History Hit'Vividly brings to life a terrible year' Max Hastings, Sunday Times'Sheds intriguing light on just how close Churchill was to losing his grip on power' Publishers WeeklyIn 1942, Britain stood at the brink of defeat. From the collapse in Malaya and the biggest surrender in British history at Singapore to the passing of three large German warships through the Straits of Dover in broad daylight and the longest ever retreat through Burma to the gates of India, a string of military disasters engulfed Britain in rapid succession. People began to claim that Churchill was not up to the job and his leadership was failing badly. Public morale reached a new low.In 1942: Britain at the Brink, Taylor Downing charts the frustration and despair that characterised this year. Most people think that Britain's worst moment of the war was in 1940 when the nation stood up against the threat of German invasion. Here, Downing describes in nail-biting detail what was really Britain's darkest hour.

Genres: History, World War II

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2022

Reviews

[William Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging read telling the warts and all story of Britain and Churchill’s challenges in the war year of 1942. Busts many of the myths surrounding the Churchill legend while still giving the man his due for wartime leadership.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and extremely interesting. I feel I have gained a much wider understanding of Churchill as a PM and Minister of Defence. 7.5/10

[Steve Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Attention to detail in specific area of the war and the use of material from Mass Observation gives a superb insight into the downs and ups of 1942. The book moves the reader away from the common expectation that the war was won as soon as America entered to highlight the continued difficulties and that much was still very much in the balance. The insights into Churchill’s standing and his moods got across his real emotional state and the difficulties of his own position.