Their Finest Hour (The Second World War)

" The Gathering Strom " is a very interesting, comprehensive summary of most of the events which led to the beginning of WW II. Discussion of the pre WW II British and European appeasers which emboldened Hitler and directly led to many of the initial Nazis victories before the war as we understand actually began. What I found fascinating was to read the book from the perspective of the British which conflicted with much of what I learned and understood from the American perspective. The book is extremely informative and doesn't miss comment or explanation on any issue of significance politically, militarily or economically. The insight into the supposed strong Alliance between the British, US and Russia was dispelled for me in this book. The personalities and clashes among Churchill, Roosevelt, Stimson, Brooke, Montgomery, Eisenhower, Hopkins, etc. will delight the reader. Lastly this book documents why this war was labeled a WORLD WAR. From China, to Burma, the Philippines, Africa, Norway, Denmark and the Balkans and more outlining where all the battles were fought and where possessions changed hands was most interesting. The reader of " The Gathering Storm " won't be disappointed and will get an education in world and geopolitical affairs which unfortunately many of todays so called leaders failed to learn. This is a great book if anyone is interested in " contemporary history "....is that an oxymoron? Enjoy this book !

Wow! Churchill's political life is covered with great thoroughness. His fight against the forces in power in England reminded me of those who tried to abolish slavery through Parliament. How fortunate we are that Churchill finally took the reigns of government at a most crucial time. From other sources I see that the "bull-headedness" of Churchill may have hampered a quicker solution to WWII. Read Dietrich Bonner's life.

Kindle edition: Maps and tables are reproduced too small and too blurry to use. The blurriness makes words illegible even with a magnifying glass: that is, words and numbers are not only too small, they are also blurred into completely unreadable spots of ink. This is a serious defect.
Also, Churchill quotes many letters, telegrams, speeches and so on. In the printed version, these quotes are separated from Churchill's regular text by whitespace. The Kindle edition whimsically starts a long quote in regular type, then prints subsequent paragraphs in italics, then returns to regular type when Churchill takes up the narrative again. This way of distinguishing the quote is confusing even when it works, and in (for example) one-paragraph letters it doesn't even work; the reader is confused when the narration starts up again, thinking he is still in a letter from Roosevelt to the Prime Minister.
If Kindle weren't a brand new technology there'd be nothing to do but return the book. As things stand, I hope for better later on -- and "better" that doesn't cost me another few hundred bucks.

Churchill writes of the events leading up to WWII from the perspective of a member of Parliament whose warnings of the growing threat of Hitler are frustratingly ignored. If you know a bit of WWII history, you'll greatly enjoy this tale, especially as you know what's coming. From the Munich agreement on, the tension is almost unbearable!

There's no doubt about it, Winston Churchill was a good writer of history.

Winston Churchill's first volume of the six volume set of his autobiographical history of World War II is a wonderful blend of historical fact, insider tidbits and gentle puffery. The book starts with the end of WWI and ends when Churchill is asked to form a government in 1940. It pretty much covers his years in exile from the Conservative Party in British politics. He writes with flair and elan and he is most magnanimous in knowing his place in victory. So he seems most understanding (in a scolding sort of way) of his fellow politicians. He is old world to the max. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the other five volumes.

So many books take the perspective "from the ground" and this is not one of those and I love it. I love hearing from the perspective where one (Mr Churchill) can speak of casualties as "wastage" because he has to look at the big picture. I especially enjoy the memos and letters that he shares - where we can see what was actually said vs. just one's recollection.

Churchill is the biggest man of our times although now gone for 50 years. He had a ring-side seat to the two world wars and the writing skills to tell about it with humility, honesty, and humor. The Gathering Storm is the first of Churchill's six volumes of history, written during the post-war period when he and his party were thrown out of office. Churchill had been an officer and First Lord of the Admiralty during WWI. He held high office after the war but resigned in 1931 due to disagreements over policy in India.

During the 1930's, Churchill was an MP but not a cabinet member. He studied the world scene carefully through his many contacts, both in and out of official duty. Since Churchill was never in any way responsible for the atrocious British policy of appeasement and non-support to allies, he was the right man to form a government in 1940 and lead the war effort.

In this 700 page tome we learn how Churchill dealt with his hand. He found ways to provide input to PM's and other leaders through letters and dinner conversations. When no one took his advice, he never questioned himself or his judgment, but instead waited for the next day. Churchill certainly understood work life balance. If he was not in the government, he could watch the world scene and write letters from the south of France while painting and dining.

Churchill also gives us lots of management and leadership advice here. He never accepts any task unless the role and expectations are clear and he has the support to make it a success. He understands the value of developing a strong network that he draws on later. He also relishes his naps, realizing that even during war time, one can work all night if a good late afternoon nap is taken.

I found this an absolutely riveting and extraordinary read. Churchill succeeds in giving an almost daily account of the thoughts and action of one of our greatest leaders as he faced the very real threat of the destruction of his country. What a leader, what a writer.

This is a wonderful but sometimes difficult to read series by Winston Churchill on the British view of the second world war. Churchill's knowledge and use of the language is awesome and I high recommend this six book series. I do have to admit that he is inclined to 'toot his own horn' but if you can overlook some of this, just remember - he kept the British spirit up when thing looked the gloomiest.

I am in the middle of reading this exhaustive series of books by Winston Churchill on WWII. The detail and in sight into the evolution of the war from his perspective is unsurpassed. My only complaint is that there are way to many typos that are the result of migrating the books from hard copy to digital. Some typos arc (are) obvious, others not so easy.

The book details the incredible blindness of the Europeans to the threat posed by Hitler rearming. They didn't increase defense spending until nearly too late, the neutrals blithely assumed Hitler was their friend... they did nothing until nearly the last year, no matter how much prodding from Churchill. And even Churchill underestimated the threat. A timely reminder of the danger of European national boundaries being changed by fiat.

This is Churchill at his very best. From the wilderness years as a lone voice crying in the darkness of the revamping of german military might to his posting as First sea Lord. I could not help but see the parallels to our own times and the western governments handling of the rise of Islamic extremism and jihad. Excellent and timely book; "those who forget history are destined to repeat it".

It brings to light many things Americans did not know or had ever heard about. However I have comments about the Kindle version, there are many "typos" in conversion to e-reader, also the computer generated voice reading has many, many mispronounciations when listening I also must read along. This is true in all of the Kindle e-books.

Sir Winston Churchill has been criticized for inaccuracy and bias, but I love how his powerful cauldron of emotion coupled with fluidity of writing whisk one along with him, creating a reality that lifts you out of the present and into the world he knew and interpreted so accurately - most of the time. "Highly Readable" is the best description. And, he was there in the thick of it!

A wonderful insight into the lead-up to the Second World War. Churchill and his writers are brilliant. My only concern, sometimes a frustration was that there are so many insertions and extracts of actual speeches and memoranda. A few of these I skipped. Of course this work shows the heroic Churchill but there is never a sense of self adulation. Hitler is the villain of the plot. I am pleased that I read this and am now much better informed This is a serious historical work.

THIS IS A MUST READING FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN HISTORY. THE MANNER THAT CHRUCHILL CRITICIZED THE ENGLISH ESTABLISMENT IN PREVENTING AND THEN PREPARING FOR WORLD WARD II IS AMAZING. HE RECITED FACTS AND FIGURES THAT MAKE ONE CONSIDER WHOSE SIDE ENGLAND WAS ON PRIOR TO THE INVASION OF POLAND.
A GREAT MAN AND A SPLENDID AUTHOR.
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS HAVE READ.

Day by day, minute by minute, details of Winston Churchill and WWII. So if you are a student, a historian, or a WWII buff, you will enjoy the book. Winston Churchill is writes clearly, for the average reader, and doesn't try to give us too much detail about the boring stuff. My only complaint are the typos. However it doesn't take away from the story...and what a story. I recommend.

History from the inside, and Churchill's use of the English language as always is a delight.
Along with Shirer's 'Rise and Fall of the Third Reich' and his lesser known book on the fall of France, Eisenhower's 'Crusade In Europe' and Speer's 'Inside The Third Reich,' Churchill's six volume set on WWII remains essential reading in getting an understanding this period of history.

Wow... This book has its facts down pat. The pace with which he rolls through the war, u begin to imagine in your head. once your imagination and body get some time to warm up, they are there too... He is not only a great historian but also a great story-teller. The thing is the story is already written for him, if you sadistically enough wait until the end!! then the beauty will prevail babe.
Cant wait to pass this great book on to another kid about my age when I first bought it off the store. You WILL love this book. Condition is pretty damn good for its age and reading. I am a careful reader, with books at least. always very soft footed too (#13).
Anyway, Keegan, ANOTHER book that Zinn writes other awesome books about warfare I hope will be read tonight. Please, just couple,,, "" Howard Zinn - A People's History of the United States. ""

This is an interesting book written by one of the greats of history. I intend to read the subsequent volumes. It is the most comprehesive volume I have ever read concerning the period between the World Wars and what led up to the out of control situation in Europe and the rise of Hitlerism. It is amazing to see the unrealistic idealism of world leaders of the time, such as Chamberlin who trusted the wrong people year after year. It is not an easy read, but is a rewarding read for those who would like to increase their knowledge of a terrible time in world history.

Because he was writing for a population that had lived through World War II and knew its facts, Churchill's 6-volume history of that time can be more than a little daunting for contemporary readers. His is a kind of top-down history that approaches unconscious autobiography: Churchill seems to feel that reproducting his memos, letters, and "minutes" -- in painfully small type -- will provide the reader with all the info necessary to completely know and understand the war. Of course we know it ain't so; Cornelius Ryan, John Toland, and Stephen Ambrose, just for starters, have written far more accessible and comprehensive histories that present a variety of viewpoints and don't gloss over difficult or unsavory moments. Instead, one should read Churchill in order to read Churchill-- in order to enjoy the company of that most remarkable statesman, in order to savor his impeccable prose and snicker at his wicked humor, in order to marvel at a life that began in mid-Victorian times and ended in the heyday of the Rolling Stones. The man's prescience was uncanny, not only in recognizing the evils of Hitler long before any other world leader, but in comprehending the nature and extent of what was then a genuine Soviet menace. Despite his anachronistic attitudes about people of color, Churchill was no racist; he simply lived in his world as we live in ours, and his story is an object lesson for the present. How much of what we now revere as received truth will be questoned, even debunked, 50 or 60 or 70 years from now? Yet authenticity and honesty will always last longer than glibness and flash, and Churchill has more a & h on one page than the easy-to-read historians have in their entire oevre. I'm afraid our puny and wan little world, so beset with its infantile fears and carefully nurtured insecurities, gooey with political correctness, dizzied with the hoohaw and the yelping of the media, is now far from capable of producing such a giant. Young Winston would be given Ritalin in school today and taught that white males like him are born evil. To paraphrase "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," he saved the world -- a lot -- and he did it with the English language.

What memories this book brings back. Of the hundreds of books which I have read on The Second World War this was the one that I always remembered the most. The History which Winston S Churchill imparts to his readers is not be found almost anywhere else. This book provides a complete and comprehensive History of the Second World War not only during the course of the War itself from September 1st 1939 through September 2nd 1945 but also before the war began as well as the aftermath of the conflict.

Churchill's series on World War II is engrossing. The depth and scope of the war itself were immense so reading this much detail about them in the voice of the person who had arguably the best understanding and greatest involvement is fascinating.

For a less capable writer, the detail of the material would be too meticulous to be interesting. That is not a problem with this book or this series. Deft handling of the language keeps the tension mounting and the interest building.

Personally, my favorite pieces of the book dealt with the communications between Churchill and FDR but there are certainly other highlights. As an American, most of my education regarding World War II dealt with the European theaters. This book puts a tremendous amount of focus on the conflict in North Africa which I found highly educational and engrossing.

Who could critize WC. There has never been a better master of the English language. My only criticism of this classic series is an error for any historian writting his history that it emphasizes what he did & he was always right & other wrong. So it proved but there is a lot of self praise in this book. Yet I love WC & his writing. RAG

Second time reading this... the first time was hardback, this time kindle... The experience was greatly improved by kindle because of the ability to easily look up words and places right from the page.

Churchill relates the events of WWII from his own involvement in the war. Absolutely spellbinding and this account fills in the gaps of the reader's own knowledge. It tells what makes a great leader. Just wish the US had his leadership right now.

Excellent view of how difficult is to convince people to work together for a single aim. Sir Churchill writes in simple and fluid prose the details of the day-by-day government issues, and explains how easy is to do nothing in committees.

Outstanding! This is my second reading, first as a Kindle book. Albeit from the perspective of Britain, and especially from Churchill's perspective, this is still a go-to series of books to learn about the second world war. This will also apply to my subsequent second-readings of the succeeding volumes.

Brings up things about WW2 that most Americans ever heard about or even thought about. Also the complexity of all of the political and military activities. The lack of shipping to do all the things needed to be done, the disagreement with New Zealand and Australia on how to use their troops. The almost daily telegrams from Churchill to FDR.

Instead of providing an overall story of an inmensely complicated conflict, Keegan goes in depth into some key battles and strategical situations from the point of view of the chief decision makers, thus providing insight into the strategy, tactics and internal workings of the military and command machines, both in the Allied and Axis sides. An indispensable book for students of the period..

Winston Churchill was the most eloquent speaker/writer in the 20th century and beyond. The book starts with the end of WWI and takes the reader through the blunders that helped allow Hilter to rebuild and feel emboldened to start WWII. If you are interested reading the english language the way it was meant to be used, this is a book for you.

Churchill was an amazing man. Not only did he serve his government in the highest capacity, he was an accomplished author and painter. This book is well laid out and well written.
Anyone who likes history will like this book. There are many lessons we could learn in our own time.
My only regrtet is that I only bought the first two volumnes when they were on sale for $1.99

The Real Story of the Battle of Britain written by the man who was there.
Not only is Winston Churchill one of the greatest figures in modern history, but he also is a skilled writer. His unique access to all historical records given to him by the British government make this a classic book..

Kindle has done a great service transcribing this most important historical (and entertaining) book of the 20th century. But the optical reader transcription was never edited by a human. On nearly every page are silly errors like "arc" for "are", or "entainmemt," or "fee" for "the," and so forth. Why skimp on such an important work?

This is the easiest review I have ever written. It's really simple - forget about scan quality, forget about Churchill's literature Nobel prize, forget about anything else except one thing: with these books (The Gathering Storm is only the first book in the series) you have the chance to read the description of the greatest conflict in human history which defined the world we live in today and it was written by one of those who were in charge during those days of paramount importance. If you are interested in WWII or history of 20th century in general, there is simply no excuse for not reading this. Buy it, read it.

I have a very high regard for Winston Churchill and my review is flavored by that. It is my belief that he saved Britain during the second world war and was then discarded by the British electorate - thrown away, as it were.
This is well written and well worth the time to read.

As a WWII aficionado this book added immensely to my knowledge of the events leading up to the war. The book is overly verbose at times and leads to "reading over" many of the speeches. However the details and overall context of the book was well worth the effort and I consider this one of my most valuable reads.

Great read for the inside story of the events leading up to World War II. There are many insights that are valuable for today as well. Churchill's realism is something very lacking today in our leaders. Nice to read something that is not written accdording to the dictums of political correctness. True scholarship at its best. A must read.

This book covers the missed opportunities, the weak arguments that echo even today, the intense buildup that a dictator bent on conquest is capable of, and the difficulties a free people have in mounting a defense. Eloquently told, never to be forgotten, the beginning of a terrible tale that should have never come to be.

Sir Winston Churchill gives one of the best and most interesting accounts of the causes and dynamics that led to World War II. It is an extremely interesting and insightful analysis of World War II and the major nations involved in the conflict. It is also very applicable to current world affairs, as many of the issues that led to World War II are re-emerging today. This is a great series for anyone interested in history, foreign policy, or current events.

In the uncertainties of the present, this book is an encouragement to stand for what you believe and disregard the critics. Our present world needs to remember its advice about dealing with aggressors, and the dangers of misplaced trust, and complacency.

All of Churchill's writings regarding his experience in the second world war are excellent works and should be read by all to develop an understanding of community of nations and the community of humanity. good luck and good reading.

Just like you said it was......thankyou for sending it and wrapping the way you did-to help protect it too!
And it was at my address and in the mailbox and ready for me to give to my husband for our 21st Anniversary!
Thankyou and I will definitely look for your site to order from again!!
:-)

One of history's greatest political figures was also a prolific writer. Churchill recounts the situation around him in England and Europe as the Nazis came to power and then started WW II. The subtext of the book is, "I was right, we should have cut Germany off at the knees when they started to rearm in the early 1930s and then when they re-armed, we should have built more armaments ourselves." One question is whether, 60 years later, one should never offer accommodations to your opponents / foes in hopes of finding a common ground. The fading British colonial system did not get much mention but from other sources we know Churchill was a fanatical proponent of keeping the British colonial empire together and on that the man did not, would not, could not understand times were changing.

This is the kind of book to read if you're reading a half-dozen other books on WW II and the run-up. Taken as a whole you'd have a good perspective.

This is an amazing book; a first person narrative of a critical and epic period of history. Churchill is, among other things, a great writer.

Unfortunately whatever method was used to translate the original text to the Kindle format was flawed and apparently no human checked the final product. Therefore the text is riddled with errors, averaging one or two per page and sometimes as many as half a dozen.