Churchill's Generals

Book Overview

A unique collection of essays by eminent historians-and edited by one of the world's most acclaimed military writers: John Keegan. Churchill's reputation as Prime Minister during World War II fluctuated according to the successes and failures of his generals. Most were household names-even heroes. Yet all were prey to the intolerance, interference, irascibility, and inspiration of Britain's leader, who wanted to be both the general in the field and the presiding strategic genius. Yet, despite sacking his warlords ruthlessly, in the end Churchill was served by perhaps the greatest generals England has ever produced. The chapters cover such outstanding military men as Wavell, Ironside, Ritchie, Auchinleck, Montgomery, Alexander, Percival, Wingate, and Carton de Wiart.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802113095
• ISBN13: 9780802113092
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Grove Pr
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 6.5" x 1.3"

Customer Reviews

Good Overview of British Generalship in WWII

This book provides a good introduction to the British Army Generals of the Second World War and the theaters in which they served. Each essay is a concise, well written look at the men who fought the Axis powers while at the same time had to deal with rivalries within their own service, dealing with the American and French allies, and had to contend with the dominating personality of Winston Churchill. Generals Slim and Wingate perhaps come off as the best British fighting generals of the war, battling the Japanese in Burma with intelligence and ability. Montgomery comes across a bit more sympathetic than American students of the war are used to seeing him. In all, Keegan has assembled a group of first-rate historians to provide these portraits.

The British War

This book is an interesting and exceptionally well-done introduction to the British perspective of World War II. Each of the seventeen chapter is a biography of a key British general during this conflict. Some are well-known (Montgomery), while others have largely been forgotten (Sir Henry Wilson). Five generals end up having to share two chapters. Each and every one, though, gets a good biography. There are differences in focus, emphasis, and interpretation, which is to be expected, but none of these entries is weak. This fact in and of itself makes this book unique among in its genre. The authors come from a number of backgrounds: academia, journalism, and the military, including a general and a field marshal. One of the contributors is Australian, another is American and the rest are British. The reader is getting a good cross sampling of the British perspective. The main theme that emerges from these essays is the importance of interpersonal relationships with both Churchill but also other generals. The chapters also do a good job of introducing the reader to issues in the literature without getting bogged down in the details. Each chapter concludes with a chronology of the general's life and career. A reader unfamiliar with British military culture will stumble on some issues: the acronyms are completely different: GOC and KCB to give only two examples. (General Officer Commanding and Knight Commander of the Bath---a knighthood that gives the individual the title of "Sir.") The practice of keeping generals on half-pay is another practice that is often referenced but never explained. (A general without an assignment received only half his pay. If he did not receive an assignment after two years, he was retired.) Nonetheless, this book is easy to read and is recommended without reservation.

Potted biography of WW2 British Generals

This collection of essays, edited by Keegan, provides a good introduction to most of the generals who made it to the top of the British Army in WW2. The essays are of varying standard and some require a knowledge of the subject and their place in the world. Each article has a bibliography and a career time line. Keegan provides an introduction as to each generals place in the scheme of things and his relationship with Curchill. Generally a good book with some outstanding essays.