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Winston Churchill #2
Never Surrender
The story of one man's defiance and a nation's courage.
Friday 10th May 1940. Hitler launches a devastating attack that in days will overrun France, Holland and Belgium, and bring Britain to its knees at Dunkirk. It is also the day Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister. He is the one man capable of standing in Hitler's way - yet Churchill is still deeply mistrusted within his own Cabinet and haunted by the memory of his haunted father.
Never Surrender is a novel about the courage and defiance that were displayed in abundance - not just by Churchill, but by ordinary men and women over three of the most momentous weeks in British history.
Friday 10th May 1940. Hitler launches a devastating attack that in days will overrun France, Holland and Belgium, and bring Britain to its knees at Dunkirk. It is also the day Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister. He is the one man capable of standing in Hitler's way - yet Churchill is still deeply mistrusted within his own Cabinet and haunted by the memory of his haunted father.
Never Surrender is a novel about the courage and defiance that were displayed in abundance - not just by Churchill, but by ordinary men and women over three of the most momentous weeks in British history.
438 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2004
52 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dobbs
101 books372 followersMichael Dobbs was born on the same day, in the same hour as Prince Charles in 1948.
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he funded by a job as feature writer for the Boston Globe, where he worked as an editorial assistant and political feature writer from 1971 to 1975.
He graduated in 1975 with an M.A., M.A.L.D., and PhD in nuclear defence studies. His doctoral thesis was published as SALT on the Dragon's Tail. In 2007 he returned to Tufts where he gave the Alumni Salutation.
After gaining his PhD he returned to England and began working in London for the Conservative Party. He was an advisor to the then leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1979 to 1981 he was a Conservative MP speechwriter.
He served as a Government Special Advisor from 1981 to 1986 and he survived the Brighton Bombing in 1984 at the Conservative Party Conference. He was the Conservative Party Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1987.
He was considered a masterful political operator and was called "Westminster’s baby-faced hit man", by The Guardian in 1987. In the John Major government, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 1995, after which he retired from politics.
Outside of politics, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi as Deputy Advertising Chairman from 1983 to 1986 and was Director of Worldwide Corporate Communications at the company from 1987 to 1988. He became Deputy Chairman, working directly under Maurice Saatchi from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1998 he was a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and also wrote column for the Daily Express. From 1998 to 2001 he hosted the current affairs program Despatch Box on BBC television and has also been a radio presenter.
Nowadays he is best known as the bestselling author of 17 novels (up to 2010), such as 'The Turning Point', about Winston Churchill and Guy Burgess, and 'A Family Affair', about the last days of Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street, and also a number of non-fiction works.
His writing career began in 1989 with the publication of 'House of Cards', the first in what would become a trilogy of political thrillers with Francis Urquhart as the central character. 'House of Cards' was followed by 'To Play the King' in 1992 and 'The Final Cut' in 1994.
Each of the three novels was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries and, with Ian Richardson playiing a starring role, the trilogy received a combined 14 BAFTA nominations and two BAFTA wins and was voted the 84th Best British Show in History.
His 2004 novel 'Winston’s War' was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book of the Year Award. He was the winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best historical novel in 2008 and in 2001 was shortlisted for the C4 Political Novel of the Year. He has also been a judge of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and lectures at dozens of literary and fundraising events each year.
Anthony Howard of The Times said “Dobbs is following in a respectable tradition. Shakespeare, Walter Scott, even Tolstoy, all used historical events as the framework for their writings. And, unlike some of their distinguished works, Dobbs's novel is, in fact, astonishingly historically accurate."
He is now a full time writer and divides his time between London and Wiltshire, where he says that he lives near a church and a pub! He is married with four children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2010
He is sometimes confused with American author Michael Dobbs, who is a distant relative of his and also an author of historical books (e.g. "Saboteurs - The Nazi Raid on America").
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he funded by a job as feature writer for the Boston Globe, where he worked as an editorial assistant and political feature writer from 1971 to 1975.
He graduated in 1975 with an M.A., M.A.L.D., and PhD in nuclear defence studies. His doctoral thesis was published as SALT on the Dragon's Tail. In 2007 he returned to Tufts where he gave the Alumni Salutation.
After gaining his PhD he returned to England and began working in London for the Conservative Party. He was an advisor to the then leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1979 to 1981 he was a Conservative MP speechwriter.
He served as a Government Special Advisor from 1981 to 1986 and he survived the Brighton Bombing in 1984 at the Conservative Party Conference. He was the Conservative Party Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1987.
He was considered a masterful political operator and was called "Westminster’s baby-faced hit man", by The Guardian in 1987. In the John Major government, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 1995, after which he retired from politics.
Outside of politics, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi as Deputy Advertising Chairman from 1983 to 1986 and was Director of Worldwide Corporate Communications at the company from 1987 to 1988. He became Deputy Chairman, working directly under Maurice Saatchi from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1998 he was a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and also wrote column for the Daily Express. From 1998 to 2001 he hosted the current affairs program Despatch Box on BBC television and has also been a radio presenter.
Nowadays he is best known as the bestselling author of 17 novels (up to 2010), such as 'The Turning Point', about Winston Churchill and Guy Burgess, and 'A Family Affair', about the last days of Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street, and also a number of non-fiction works.
His writing career began in 1989 with the publication of 'House of Cards', the first in what would become a trilogy of political thrillers with Francis Urquhart as the central character. 'House of Cards' was followed by 'To Play the King' in 1992 and 'The Final Cut' in 1994.
Each of the three novels was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries and, with Ian Richardson playiing a starring role, the trilogy received a combined 14 BAFTA nominations and two BAFTA wins and was voted the 84th Best British Show in History.
His 2004 novel 'Winston’s War' was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book of the Year Award. He was the winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best historical novel in 2008 and in 2001 was shortlisted for the C4 Political Novel of the Year. He has also been a judge of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and lectures at dozens of literary and fundraising events each year.
Anthony Howard of The Times said “Dobbs is following in a respectable tradition. Shakespeare, Walter Scott, even Tolstoy, all used historical events as the framework for their writings. And, unlike some of their distinguished works, Dobbs's novel is, in fact, astonishingly historically accurate."
He is now a full time writer and divides his time between London and Wiltshire, where he says that he lives near a church and a pub! He is married with four children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2010
He is sometimes confused with American author Michael Dobbs, who is a distant relative of his and also an author of historical books (e.g. "Saboteurs - The Nazi Raid on America").
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 15, 2021
Read this book in 2005, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful Winston Churchill quartet of books.
This tale is set in 1940, and it tells us the battle of wills between Winston Churchil and Adolf Hitler.
Although Churchill is isolated in Britain itself and mistrusted by his colleagues, and tormented by ghosts from the past, he's more than beacon for Britain against the Nazi evil.
The Nazis under Adolf Hitler may have conquered most of France, with Paris included, Holland, Belgium, and brought Britain on it knees at Dunkirk, the only battle Hitler cannot win against Churchill is the Battle of the Mind.
What is to follow is a four week war of mind games between Churchill and Hitler, in which Churchill will somehow break Hitler's stronghold over Britain because he's showing the stronger of the two in this battle of wills.
Highly recommended, for this is a fantastic addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Recreation Of Willpower"!
This tale is set in 1940, and it tells us the battle of wills between Winston Churchil and Adolf Hitler.
Although Churchill is isolated in Britain itself and mistrusted by his colleagues, and tormented by ghosts from the past, he's more than beacon for Britain against the Nazi evil.
The Nazis under Adolf Hitler may have conquered most of France, with Paris included, Holland, Belgium, and brought Britain on it knees at Dunkirk, the only battle Hitler cannot win against Churchill is the Battle of the Mind.
What is to follow is a four week war of mind games between Churchill and Hitler, in which Churchill will somehow break Hitler's stronghold over Britain because he's showing the stronger of the two in this battle of wills.
Highly recommended, for this is a fantastic addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Recreation Of Willpower"!
August 8, 2016
An interesting macro and micro view of the evacuation of the BEF from France. Well written.
January 7, 2011
Historical fiction is so much better when one knows something about the era. Of course, it is also often the easiest way to jump-start an interest in another time, an interest that can lead to reading histories of that time. This is the second book in Dobb's Churchill series and it portrays the beginning of the war, particularly the military disaster in France and the Dunkirk evacuation. I've read a fair number of books by and about Churchill and about the steady march from Munich to war. Even so Dobbs's books make the events of this time come alive in an stark and illuminating manner. On his website Dobbs quotes Churchill as background to the method and mission of the novels:
"One of the most misleading factors in history is the practice of historians to build a story exclusively out of the records which have come down to them. The records are in many cases a very small part of what took place, and to fill the picture one has to visualize the daily life - the constant discussions between ministers, the friendly dinners, the many days when nothing happened worthy of record, but during which events were nonetheless proceeding."
Dobbs takes this to heart and fills in the gaps in a masterful fashion. The two key political events of the books - the revolt against Chamberlain and the struggle against the urge to surrender to Hitler after Dunkirk come out vividly. It is a paradoxical feeling that even though one knows how it all came out, Dobbs's narrative races like a political thriller. One feels like the proverbial fly on the wall of 10 Downing Street, Churchill's Admiralty office and in Parliament.
"One of the most misleading factors in history is the practice of historians to build a story exclusively out of the records which have come down to them. The records are in many cases a very small part of what took place, and to fill the picture one has to visualize the daily life - the constant discussions between ministers, the friendly dinners, the many days when nothing happened worthy of record, but during which events were nonetheless proceeding."
Dobbs takes this to heart and fills in the gaps in a masterful fashion. The two key political events of the books - the revolt against Chamberlain and the struggle against the urge to surrender to Hitler after Dunkirk come out vividly. It is a paradoxical feeling that even though one knows how it all came out, Dobbs's narrative races like a political thriller. One feels like the proverbial fly on the wall of 10 Downing Street, Churchill's Admiralty office and in Parliament.
February 18, 2015
Book #2 in the Winston Churchill series
This historical fiction is set the first month of Churchill’s premiership during the time when Britain was uncertain if the country had the will or the mean to stand up and fight. The story tells what turned out to be one of the most important three weeks of the twentieth century.
This suspenseful account based on historical events begins with Europe in turmoil. May 10, 1940, Germany had just completed its conquest of Denmark and Norway and has turned its attack to the west by invading France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
This book is character and dialogue driven and beautifully portrays a Winston Churchill who in spite of his bouts of depression, his bad drinking habits managed without support of most of his colleagues to convince and to give his countrymen the will to defy Hitler and to ”Never Surrender”. The story is filled with political intrigue, of internal cabinet dissension and the will of a man that refused to give up. With equal amount of attention and text to the realities on the ground and to the decision makers in London this account deftly moves back and forth between the historical and the fictional.
For those who are not too familiar with WW11 and wonder whether certain characters are fictional or not the author has clearly explained them in the epilogue. It may not be the best for historians but I think most of us will be captivated by the narrative and all the pertinent facts.
If you like aspects or period of events of our past, Mr. Dobbs is an ace in historical reenactment and is one that does it richly with words.
Another great read.
This historical fiction is set the first month of Churchill’s premiership during the time when Britain was uncertain if the country had the will or the mean to stand up and fight. The story tells what turned out to be one of the most important three weeks of the twentieth century.
This suspenseful account based on historical events begins with Europe in turmoil. May 10, 1940, Germany had just completed its conquest of Denmark and Norway and has turned its attack to the west by invading France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
This book is character and dialogue driven and beautifully portrays a Winston Churchill who in spite of his bouts of depression, his bad drinking habits managed without support of most of his colleagues to convince and to give his countrymen the will to defy Hitler and to ”Never Surrender”. The story is filled with political intrigue, of internal cabinet dissension and the will of a man that refused to give up. With equal amount of attention and text to the realities on the ground and to the decision makers in London this account deftly moves back and forth between the historical and the fictional.
For those who are not too familiar with WW11 and wonder whether certain characters are fictional or not the author has clearly explained them in the epilogue. It may not be the best for historians but I think most of us will be captivated by the narrative and all the pertinent facts.
If you like aspects or period of events of our past, Mr. Dobbs is an ace in historical reenactment and is one that does it richly with words.
Another great read.
August 5, 2013
I have a new fascination for WWII. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, but I've preferred pre-democratic times when individuals could wield enormous power and influence via accidents of birth. I've read a lot of books about Tudor England and Imperial Rome. It's harder for one person to change history when constrained by 'the people'. 'Never Surrender' gave me a glimpse of Churchill and others as men who rose above the usual constraints by personality and character. Then there are King George and his wife Elizabeth, whose touching and intriguing story has recently been told in the movie 'The King's Speech'. Now I want to read more about Joe Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and non-war contemporaries such as Gertrude Stein and Picasso. It's like a whole new continent for me to explore.
September 29, 2016
The build up of tension in this novel is very well organised. The device of using a character in the British Expeditionary Force, at the sharp end of the conflict, set against Churchill's strength of leadership back home is very effective. The uncertainty of the times, with Winston's drive to get things done, and to Never Surrender, is portrayed with effective story-telling and strong dialogue.
June 18, 2013
Kobo
October 29, 2022
Reading this historical fiction account of Winston Churchill's rise to Prime Minister and the Nazi attacks on northern France around Dunkirk and Calais, reminded me of my childhood.
Born just after World War 2, I heard about Dunkirk and Calais, but was never told the exact details, as my parents thought I was too young, and the war was over so why revisit it. As I grew older, I heard more and as my interest in history increased, I attempted to read some of Churchill's earlier writings, but I gave up, for me they were a bit tedious and uninteresting.
This novel though had me hooked from the first page. It was so well written, that I could imagine Churchill saying and doing everything that Michael Dobbs has included in the plot. As I read, I could imagine all the emotions Churchill had through the first 3 weeks of his being Prime Minister. Uncertainty, fear, anger, persistence and the overwhelming belief that if the military didn't keep on fighting, the British Isles would be invaded and that was something he would not, could not accept.
As a historical novel, MD has included 4 important fictional characters, Ruth Mueller, Donald Chichester, Rev. Henry Chichester and Claude Dubois. Each of these characters adds to the story by including snippets about their lives prior to the war and how each handles their past to confront what is happening to them as the novel progresses. As well, MD includes some very well-known people, Neville Chamberlain, King George, Joseph Kennedy, Lord Halifax (Edward Wood - 1st Earl of Halifax), Rab Butler, Jock Colville, Chips Channon and Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay, to name just a few. Dobbs used diaries and history books to strengthen the supposed conversations that all these characters had, and even though they are not the actual words they are as close to the truth as possible.
For readers born in the latter part of the 20th century, this is a great introduction to a man they may not know much about. For those older readers, like me, it gives us the chance to think about what our lives would be like now, if there had been no Churchill and the British Isles had been invaded and the war lost to the Germans.
Born just after World War 2, I heard about Dunkirk and Calais, but was never told the exact details, as my parents thought I was too young, and the war was over so why revisit it. As I grew older, I heard more and as my interest in history increased, I attempted to read some of Churchill's earlier writings, but I gave up, for me they were a bit tedious and uninteresting.
This novel though had me hooked from the first page. It was so well written, that I could imagine Churchill saying and doing everything that Michael Dobbs has included in the plot. As I read, I could imagine all the emotions Churchill had through the first 3 weeks of his being Prime Minister. Uncertainty, fear, anger, persistence and the overwhelming belief that if the military didn't keep on fighting, the British Isles would be invaded and that was something he would not, could not accept.
As a historical novel, MD has included 4 important fictional characters, Ruth Mueller, Donald Chichester, Rev. Henry Chichester and Claude Dubois. Each of these characters adds to the story by including snippets about their lives prior to the war and how each handles their past to confront what is happening to them as the novel progresses. As well, MD includes some very well-known people, Neville Chamberlain, King George, Joseph Kennedy, Lord Halifax (Edward Wood - 1st Earl of Halifax), Rab Butler, Jock Colville, Chips Channon and Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay, to name just a few. Dobbs used diaries and history books to strengthen the supposed conversations that all these characters had, and even though they are not the actual words they are as close to the truth as possible.
For readers born in the latter part of the 20th century, this is a great introduction to a man they may not know much about. For those older readers, like me, it gives us the chance to think about what our lives would be like now, if there had been no Churchill and the British Isles had been invaded and the war lost to the Germans.
November 22, 2018
A well researched book and written in a style which makes it an even more interesting read.
The book covers so many aspect, Churchill’s internal turmoil, internal politics in the British parliament and the predicament of the foot soldier as a result of the above.
The Chichester family angle adds a lot of relativity to the story and makes you turn just that one more page to see whether the policies can help get them back to England.
And finally, Winston Churchill, it will be wrong to call him the protagonist in the real sense of the term. The author portrays him for what he was, what we all are, flawed humans who are driven/directed by our past, our fears and the principles we build along the way due to these factors. The author has depicted Churchill for the shrewd politician he was and the emotionally flawed human being he was. The introduction of Ruth Mueller in the story and how she draws parallels between Adolf Hitler and Chruchill to drive her point home with Churchill makes for a fascinating read.
The final speech in the parliament delivered by Churchill is also well written. Rather than wax lyrically about Churchill, the author shows the shrewd politics behind every sentence he says and brings out a complete different picture of Churchill rather than the nationalist image he tried to portray.
The book and the politics it depicts is so relevant even today and it is a must read for any lover of politics.
Book no.2 of Michael Dobbs that I have read and the writing style and research makes him one of my favourite writers.
The book covers so many aspect, Churchill’s internal turmoil, internal politics in the British parliament and the predicament of the foot soldier as a result of the above.
The Chichester family angle adds a lot of relativity to the story and makes you turn just that one more page to see whether the policies can help get them back to England.
And finally, Winston Churchill, it will be wrong to call him the protagonist in the real sense of the term. The author portrays him for what he was, what we all are, flawed humans who are driven/directed by our past, our fears and the principles we build along the way due to these factors. The author has depicted Churchill for the shrewd politician he was and the emotionally flawed human being he was. The introduction of Ruth Mueller in the story and how she draws parallels between Adolf Hitler and Chruchill to drive her point home with Churchill makes for a fascinating read.
The final speech in the parliament delivered by Churchill is also well written. Rather than wax lyrically about Churchill, the author shows the shrewd politics behind every sentence he says and brings out a complete different picture of Churchill rather than the nationalist image he tried to portray.
The book and the politics it depicts is so relevant even today and it is a must read for any lover of politics.
Book no.2 of Michael Dobbs that I have read and the writing style and research makes him one of my favourite writers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
I struggled just a bit following this story. However, I don't blame the author or the writing style. I am from the US and have limited knowledge America's involvement in WWII, and almost none of the war before December 7, 1941. In other words, this book was a bit above my pay grade.
The characters are historical figures (although there are also fictional characters), many of which I'm sure the English learned of in school but alas, I did not. I actually picked up this book when I saw it at the discount book store because I had recently realized I'd heard of Winston Churchill, and knew he was a significant historical figure, but that was pretty much the extent of my knowledge. Thankfully we do not have to limit our knowledge of history to what can be taught in the limited time and scope of our school years.
The story was engaging. The author wove the personal stories of several people into the the plot in such a way it was not hard to follow, even for me. It was fascinating to see how this terrible few weeks in 1940 was experienced from the perspective of Churchill, his cabinet, officers, soldiers from two different countries, and a family member left at home with his own demons. My interest is piqued in WWII history but my desire to read war stories is limited. The "horrors of war" is hardly a sufficient term for the devastation of war on human life, and the residual trauma passed down from one generation to the next.
The characters are historical figures (although there are also fictional characters), many of which I'm sure the English learned of in school but alas, I did not. I actually picked up this book when I saw it at the discount book store because I had recently realized I'd heard of Winston Churchill, and knew he was a significant historical figure, but that was pretty much the extent of my knowledge. Thankfully we do not have to limit our knowledge of history to what can be taught in the limited time and scope of our school years.
The story was engaging. The author wove the personal stories of several people into the the plot in such a way it was not hard to follow, even for me. It was fascinating to see how this terrible few weeks in 1940 was experienced from the perspective of Churchill, his cabinet, officers, soldiers from two different countries, and a family member left at home with his own demons. My interest is piqued in WWII history but my desire to read war stories is limited. The "horrors of war" is hardly a sufficient term for the devastation of war on human life, and the residual trauma passed down from one generation to the next.
May 9, 2019
The centrepiece of this novel is the evacuation from Dunkirk in June of 1940. Much of the story is told from within the British Government where Winston Churchill has just become Prime Minister. The emphasis here is not so much the evacuation itself (as it was in a couple of recent films) but the inner workings of the Cabinet and the struggle among the various factions even as Churchill struggled within himself. From time to time, the author brings us into the life of other characters in the drama: a British non-combatant medical corpsman and his father, an Anglican vicar; a German refugee woman; the American Ambassador Joseph Kennedy; and the Vice-Admiral in charge of the evacuation. These excursions help us to appreciate the effects of the discussions and arguments going on in the Cabinet Room and how those discussions do and often do not relate to the real situation in France.
In his acknowlegments at the end of the book, the author mentions that the book is a novel and should not be taken for the truth. However, he hopes that the book may spur a reader on to learn more about the events of those days. Not only is this a laudable intention, in my opinion, but by putting it on the page he gently prods the reader to explore to topic further.
In his acknowlegments at the end of the book, the author mentions that the book is a novel and should not be taken for the truth. However, he hopes that the book may spur a reader on to learn more about the events of those days. Not only is this a laudable intention, in my opinion, but by putting it on the page he gently prods the reader to explore to topic further.
August 8, 2017
I'm not usually a fan of political and/or war fiction.....but learning more about Winston Churchill intrigued me so I brought home this book from the library. I really really enjoyed it!! I learned so much about the first three weeks of Hitler's invasion of Europe (the entire book takes place in that small timeframe) and saw it through the eyes of the political leaders of the time (including that jerk, Joe Kennedy, what an ass!), medical personnel, the clergy, and just regular civilians. This is actually book #2 of a 4 book series. I definitely will read the other three.
August 17, 2019
2nd in the series of four books about Winston Churchill's war. My review of Book 1 "Winston's War" is apposite. Dobbs does a good job of filling in gaps for the reader who starts with Book 2, but reading Book 1 first makes sense. This series is no mere hagiograph of Churchill. Dobbs gives him to us warts and all. The book ends with the evacuation of Dunkirk and there also Dobbs avoids the popular view of Dunkirk as some kind of success. The fictional characters that Dobbs invents give us the nitty-gritty and awfulness of the war. Now onto Book 3...
October 30, 2019
I read this right after Winston's War by the same author. If you have read other books about ww2, you know what is going to happen. However, this is still a page-turner and you want to shake all of the peacemongers out of their sleep. Hitler is coming and there is no avoiding it. Of course, the european allies are betrayed by their own inaction and delays. Churchill was no saint and made questionable moves like all politicians, but thank goodness he never surrendered: "we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be".
February 26, 2021
2nd reading of this excellent novel ; last reading was 16 months ago.
We often hear that history is written by victors - this novel tells you when, how and why the victors struggled, and the ethical short cuts taken - and also about heroes/villains ( eg Viscount Gort) who were left by the way side. Side plot of Ruth Mueller - good insights into a refugee 's contribution and troubles.
A good read .
Suggest to watch / listen to Churchill's speech ( recorded or the movie version ) on youtube when you read this book
We often hear that history is written by victors - this novel tells you when, how and why the victors struggled, and the ethical short cuts taken - and also about heroes/villains ( eg Viscount Gort) who were left by the way side. Side plot of Ruth Mueller - good insights into a refugee 's contribution and troubles.
A good read .
Suggest to watch / listen to Churchill's speech ( recorded or the movie version ) on youtube when you read this book
March 31, 2022
Both a personal and a public story of Winston Churchill in England’s darkest hour as well as the perspective on an English medic at Dunkirk. Not just a battle in France but also a battle in Parliament. Great book. I have read twice, the second time following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
February 11, 2018
Fascinating
Want to read
February 11, 2020Dennis
January 23, 2021
A moving portrayal of the paralysis and futility of war. The depiction of the events surrounding the Dunkirk evacuation/retreat is unforgettable.
March 28, 2021
A fantastic read
A must read for any WW2 buff who wants to get an insight into Churchill. Great writing from a great author
A must read for any WW2 buff who wants to get an insight into Churchill. Great writing from a great author
November 7, 2021
Interesting story, but the telling seemed to drag, unlike the first book.
June 7, 2023
A good read on the dynamics surrounding the losses of France and Belgium and retreat/evacuation of British and French troops - ultimately from Dunkirk. My issue with historical fiction, however, is that there is so much presumably fictional dialogue between very real historical figures — but, since, so many historical transcripts and diaries exist it’s difficult to discern what is true and what is made up, or what characters are real (like Frau Mueller, who was fictional and probably the oddest addition). I also feel this book could have used better editing - there was the odd typo and some abrupt transitions.
June 9, 2021
The story of Dunkirk and the men (and woman) that made it possible.
October 17, 2015
It's hard to believe that historical fiction could be formulaic, but Michael Dobbs seems to have established a formula for his Winston Churchill series. "Never Surrender" includes the intimate details of personal conversations, the gossipy epicurean musings of parliamentarians, the heroic common man side plot and the rambling self-doubts of WC himself. As a result, I didn't enjoy "Never Surrender" as much as "Churchill's War". Part of the problem is that the events covered in this volume cover such a short period of time that the prose seems to drag out. Knowing the history, I found myself being impatient with Dobbs' slow pace in telling the story. Also, I was disappointed in how the Brendan Bracken character changed abruptly from the previous volume -- from nervous (and manipulated) suitor to flippant, sarcastic advisor. Given that this story starts literally weeks after the previous volume, it just seemed odd -- as if he was a different person. Fortunately, US Ambassador Joseph Kennedy is just as obnoxiously confident and overbearing as in Vol. 1, and his portrayal more than makes up for Bracken's change of character.
Dobbs does deserve credit for capturing the heroism amidst futility of the BEF soldiers defending Calais and highlighting Admiral Bertram Ramsay as the real hero of Dunkirk. This is a decent book for readers who want to get a sense of the history of this early phase of WWII along with insights into a truly lucky episode that literally saved Great Britain and set the stage for Hitler's defeat. ....and yes, despite my disappointment with "Never Surrender", I WILL read the next two volumes.
Dobbs does deserve credit for capturing the heroism amidst futility of the BEF soldiers defending Calais and highlighting Admiral Bertram Ramsay as the real hero of Dunkirk. This is a decent book for readers who want to get a sense of the history of this early phase of WWII along with insights into a truly lucky episode that literally saved Great Britain and set the stage for Hitler's defeat. ....and yes, despite my disappointment with "Never Surrender", I WILL read the next two volumes.
September 4, 2007
Excellent blend of historial facts with events of people in the early days of WWII (1940) and what the British Government and its people were dealing with as the German Forces advanced across Europe.
It shows the strengths and courage of those charged with ensuring England would fight on against what seemed like great odds. One can read how it was for a military person to fight and try to survive or to die to ensure another person would continue the fight.
It paints a few weeks of WWII at the start and finishes at the successful evacuation of Dunkirk of the BEF (1940) to fight another day.
We see how Winston Churchill as Prime Minister was able to navigate through cabinet staff including our allies who supported him and those against his desire to fight on.
Some of the characters are historical while others are a blend of events. I verified the role of the American Ambassador in 1940 to the UK(Joe Kennedy) and his stated comments in the book to discover it was in context.
In hindsight, greater powers ensured that Churchill made the right decisions and was able to work around the representative for the American President and other like ministers.
President Roosevelt did help the British Nation in the lendlease program prior to 1941 per request from Prime Minister Churchill and Winston Churchill was able to reach the individual person in England to be encouraged , to fight on and not surrender.
Rob
It shows the strengths and courage of those charged with ensuring England would fight on against what seemed like great odds. One can read how it was for a military person to fight and try to survive or to die to ensure another person would continue the fight.
It paints a few weeks of WWII at the start and finishes at the successful evacuation of Dunkirk of the BEF (1940) to fight another day.
We see how Winston Churchill as Prime Minister was able to navigate through cabinet staff including our allies who supported him and those against his desire to fight on.
Some of the characters are historical while others are a blend of events. I verified the role of the American Ambassador in 1940 to the UK(Joe Kennedy) and his stated comments in the book to discover it was in context.
In hindsight, greater powers ensured that Churchill made the right decisions and was able to work around the representative for the American President and other like ministers.
President Roosevelt did help the British Nation in the lendlease program prior to 1941 per request from Prime Minister Churchill and Winston Churchill was able to reach the individual person in England to be encouraged , to fight on and not surrender.
Rob
March 9, 2014
This was a compelling, close look at the transition from the UK's monarchy-based strategizing to 'modern' international relations approach to being a world power - all while Hitler was at ramming speed on his way to the English Channel. The focus on ~3 critical weeks of this transition gave a great inside view of Churchill's key role in this time period. And while the political and front line maneuverings were very clearly presented, the book did not get bogged down in each parliamentary argument or front line movement. The plot was fast-paced and interesting (for a non- war buff) to see the details of what happened at Calais and Dunkirk as France & the rest of Europe fell to the German panziers and Hitler's insanity. Not a very favorable look at the US in this phase of the war (esp. Ambassador - emphasis on middle syllable - Joe Kennedy and FDR). The world should be thankful for Churchill! It was fiction, so while the research seemed solid -but not obtrusive - I'm sure liberties and biases were taken - with mixed results. For example, I was not a big fan of the insertion of a fictional German woman who got what I thought was disproportional credit for Churchill's bravery and brilliance. However, this same character was used to convey an insightful and sensitive description of how the typical German allowed Hitler to do what he did (a la lobster in a pot of cold water that slowly comes to a boil).
August 22, 2010
At first I was down on this book, with its occasional typos and scenes that seemed too forced (one in particular where Churchill talks to his dead father). I was turned off. But I'd bought the book, so felt compelled to finish it. And it grew on me. The characters grew on me, and the compelling events grabbed my interest. At the very least, I learned a little more about Churchill and some specific events of WWII. I probably won't go out and get his other Churchill book, but was glad I read (and finished) this one.
December 8, 2009
I know the history, know the outcome, but that didn't stop this book from keeping me interested and even in suspense. The historical detail is great. I feel like I really know Churchill now (and Hitler too--I've read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and thought I knew Hitler fairly well, but this shed new light on him.) How did Churchill survive the first two weeks of his job as PM? A good question. Amazing.
March 5, 2013
It's a three story narrative around Churchill, a German refugee woman, and a young conscientious objector British man stationed in Calais and his reverend father just across the channel in Dover. I know this was used to show the complex story, but I feel like each of the characters deserve a whole book of their own, and I don't like the jumpiness. I would recommend it though for those interested in WWII or Churchill.
June 14, 2015
Never Surrender was an intelligent, perceptive novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Dobbs really captured the atmosphere in London and France from Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister to the fall of France. Dobbs also succeeded marvelously at capturing the complex, awesome personality of Churchill.
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