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Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Audiobook17 hours

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour

Written by Lynne Olson

Narrated by Arthur Morey

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

In Citizens of London, Lynne Olson has written a work of World War II history even more relevant and revealing than her acclaimed Troublesome Young Men. Here is the behind-the-scenes story of how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant. Drawing from a variety of primary sources, Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a cautious Franklin Roosevelt and a reluctant American public to support the British at a critical time.

The three-Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR's Lend-Lease program in London; and Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain-formed close ties with Winston Churchill and were drawn into Churchill's official and personal circles. So intense were their relationships with the Churchills that they all became romantically involved with members of the prime minister's family: Harriman and Murrow with Churchill's daughter-in-law, Pamela, and Winant with his favorite daughter, Sarah.

Others were honorary "citizens of London" as well, including the gregarious, fiercely ambitious Dwight D. Eisenhower, an obscure general who, as the first commander of American forces in Britain, was determined to do everything in his power to make the alliance a success, and Tommy Hitchcock, a world-famous polo player and World War I fighter pilot who helped save the Allies' bombing campaign against Germany.

Citizens of London, however, is more than just the story of these Americans and the world leaders they aided and influenced. It's an engrossing account of the transformative power of personal diplomacy and, above all, a rich, panoramic tale of two cities: Washington, D.C., a lazy Southern town slowly growing into a hub of international power, and London, a class-conscious capital transformed by the Blitz into a model of stoic grace under violent pressure and deprivation. Deeply human, brilliantly researched, and beautifully written, Citizens of London is a new triumph from an author swiftly becoming one of the finest in her field.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateMar 3, 2010
ISBN9781400185955
Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Author

Lynne Olson

Lynne Olson, former White House correspondent for The Sun (Baltimore), is the author of Freedom’s Daughters, and co-author, with her husband, Stanley Cloud, of A Question of Honor and The Murrow Boys. She lives in Washington, D.C.

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Rating: 4.221105592964824 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I’ve read countless books about World War II and each one has given me a new perspective on it. In Citizens of London, the Lynne Olson looks at the war by focusing on three key Americans who played roles before and after America joined in. One of the three is Edward R. Murrow, the radio journalist who brought the war and its sounds to America more vividly than any other. In doing so, he was allied with the Brits well before American became an official ally. (The author and her husband co-authored The Murrow Boys, which detailed Murrow’s story in great detail, and which I enjoyed immensely.)The other two men were less known to me – Averell Harriman, lend-lease administrator, and John Gilbert Winant, ambassador to Britain after Joseph Kennedy. Winant was the more appealing – and more tragic, of the two. Both of their stories, however, provided insight into the ever-changing relationship between Britain and the U.S. Citizens of London is a great read … full of anecdotes that enrich the story and fresh insights that are enlightening.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In Citizens Of London , Lynne Olsen submits a well researched narrative of British-American relations from the years 1938 to 1946.We witness an indepth study of the forging of alliance through the lens of 3 prominent Americans in London.Edward R. Murrow was the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe.John Gilbert Winant, highly respected by the British people, was ambassador to England shortly before the US entry into WWII until 1946.Averill Harriman was a hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR’s Lend-Lease program in London and also was a personal liaison between the prime minister and the president.The description of each visionary develops well beyond the simplistic terms I have used above.Reading the chronicle was compelling and informative as we face the fragility of the Anglo-American merger woven with dynamics of personalities and world politics.For me, it was a wealth of information presented in a form easily understood by an interested reader.4.5 ★ and ♥
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Very good! The speaking is well paced and the book well written. I didn’t give it five stars only because the first half of the book, which focuses more on the individual characters and not the war at large was more engaging to me than the second half, which tends to discuss the war more generally.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Lynne Olson has brought a fresh eye and perspective to her narrative of one of the 20th Century’s darkest and finest hours, as she herself puts it, the achievement of the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom during the early years of the Second World War. This is well trod ground, but the author enlivens her presentation for a wider audience by focusing upon a number of Americans (and their British counterparts) who played important and even critical roles in developing this relationship into a wartime alliance. Her story spans the years 1939-1945 and focuses upon journalist Edward R. Murrow, US Ambassador Guy Winant, and special envoy Averell Harriman, with others including General Dwight David Eisenhower, Assistant Military Attaché Tommy Hitchcock, and Presidential advisor and confidante Harry Hopkins appearing in featured supporting roles. The span of time covered and the often wide ranging activities of her protagonists presented the author with a real challenge which her narrative overcomes. Having centered her story on these individuals, Lynne Olson embellishes it with details about the personal lives and experiences of her “citizens of London”, including their losses as the war strikes the heart of the British capitol and their casualties of the heart as their romantic entanglements involve even the Churchill family itself. I have worked on diplomatic assignment in the UK, often visiting London and the Grosvenor Square area that still hosts a sizable American presence and I enjoyed her descriptions of where and how her American cast made themselves at home in wartime London or passed their time there during visits. This book underlines the critical role personal relationships at every level often play in international relations, a point not always recognized by those outside government circles. However, I wondered as I read how or why she failed to mention the future importance of such British figures as Clement Atlee and Anthony Eden who would each go on to be Prime Minister. Her narrative also completely overlooks future Prime Minister Harold MacMillan’s wartime service in General Eisenhower’s headquarters.Ms. Olson offers extensive endnotes and an eight page bibliography, although the notes are not linked in the most effective way to her text. Her apparent emphasis upon presenting a readable narrative seems to have resulted in a number of stories being truncated and even slightly bent out of shape. For example, the story of how the North American Mustang overcame wartime bureaucracy and “not invented here” stubbornness to become the supreme fighter aircraft of the war is a fascinating piece of military aviation history that cannot be attributed any one individual. I also notice that her discussion of the April 15, 1941 air raids omitted any mention of Belfast, Northern Ireland, one of the industrial centers struck that night even though nearly 1,000 died and almost 100, 000 were left homeless. Nevertheless, this is a good introduction to the politics of the US-UK relationship and the story of how the US and the UK became allies with a “special relationship.” She also underlines again, although she never cites it here, the contention attributed to George Bernard Shaw that “England and America are two countries divided by a common language.”
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Engaging, enlightening. All the ingredients. Olson expands beyond the titular subjects, resulting, for me, in a broader and even more appealing political history of WWII, centered on U.S. - Britain relations (and relationships). The wartime lives of Murrow, Harriman, and Winant, along with their diplomatic and social circles, are all interesting and provide an intimate perspective on the tenuous, yet invigorating years of London's brave front against German bombs and the real threat of continental tyranny.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Brilliant book. A very personal look at the lives and personalities of the people who brought the London air raids to the world by living among the bombs' targets.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    learned a lot of history that I didn't know, very interesting
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The author is a very good storyteller - very interesting book. I learned a lot about WW2. The focus on Ambassador Winant was especially interesting. I lived in NH for 25+ years and knew nothing about him.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Excellent, well-written, wonderful characters and some disappointing characters.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Well written story of Americans who spent World War 2 in London. She writes about Averill Harriman, John Wynant, and others. Wynant's is a new story to me.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour, Lynne Olson, author; Arthur Morey, narratorEarly on, the author makes his pro Obama view obvious which tells you the book will have a decided slant to the left. Although the author praises Obama’s efforts and world strategy, it is, perhaps, Obama’s global view of America that has isolated us again and inhibited us from becoming more inclusive, which might have been his original intention. However, since the book was written five years ago, or published then, it was, therefore, written even earlier; the author might have changed his mind about Obama’s decisions to act or not to act by now with the resultant failures of our policies in the Middle East. This book is very long and can be very tedious but it is eye opening about the politics surrounding WWII. Featuring the personalities of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Averill Harriman, Edward R. Murrow and John Winant, it provides a glimpse into the hardship faced by the British before and after we entered the war, albeit entering kicking and screaming in defiance all the way. The Americans were pretty colorful characters who had the foresight to anticipate Hitler's goals and who lobbied for America to enter the war, unsuccessfully, until Pearl Harbor when it intruded upon its shores. None of the men were high on scruples as they entered into romantic relationships breaking their own vows of fidelity and encouraging others to do the same. They were, however, high on protecting our Allies and honoring our agreements. The President of the United States, FDR, was not inclined to become involved because the political climate then, like today, was against entrance into any armed conflict. So, FDR paid little attention to the suffering of Europeans and our allies, and instead he supported a policy of isolationism, and paid more attention to the polls, then to the advice of these men. Possibly, as a result of his arrogance, believing war would not come to America’s shores because she was a force to be reckoned with, he did not act in time to prevent the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which then forced him to enter the fray and begin leading the country and the world, albeit similarly to our current President Obama, from behind. America was woefully unprepared for the effort necessary. Our armed forces and equipment were in disarray and the situation then was eerily similar to the atmosphere today under President Obama. He takes the temperature of voting Americans constantly and overthinks his decisions ad nauseum. President Obama does not believe in American exceptionalism, although FDR certainly came around to believing in it near the war’s end. Our current President’s plan is to reduce the superiority of the armed forces to the level it was when we were forced to enter WWII, grossly unprepared. He has marginalized the reputation of America’s strength and exaggerated its weakness. He has not followed through on his positions or promises which may doom us to repeat the same mistakes of the past, as he stands by idly reading polls and following instead of leading.The book features the rise of John Winant’s influence and career. He was a very liberal republican who pretty much disapproved of his party’s behavior and whose social views were equally disapproved of by his party. He worked for democrats too eagerly to be a true Republican. At one point, the author brought up the question of whether or not the Jews could trust Obama, which now seems to have been prescient with the recent Iranian Nuclear Agreement. He openly insulted Benjamin Netanyahu, had no photo ops with him on some occasions, and created an atmosphere in which some Jews feel threatened if they voice their opinions when they differ from Obama’s. Often tedious, with facts that read like a diary of the mundane daily tasks of a particular person, the book takes off when America is drawn into the war, when it reveals previously unknown facts about the lives of these American men and their behind the scenes efforts to involve America in the war with little success. The author examines their love affairs, the war preparations, and the competing military plans, complete with sparring officers who sometimes thought little of each other. I learned little known facts about the Polish presence and war effort. They were deeply involved in the war effort as their spy network and polish resistance were well developed. In all of the defeated countries, the resistance movement was key, and in Poland it was very strong. The author shared many insights, personal thoughts and conversations, some which were very surprising. Many involved heads of state and leaders of the military who didn’t like each other or respect each other, and they were guided more often than they should have been by their politics and personal likes and dislikes. They allowed their personal issues and concerns to misguide them in several instances, some of which may have led to a longer war. I had never heard of Tommy Hitchcock, a polo star and war hero who was instrumental in getting the Mustang into the air which saved so many lives and took his, as well, as he tried to discover its fatal flaw. Although the administration and the powers that be were against its rapid development, when it was finally used it was that plane that turned the tide of the war. The fighting effort became more competitive and our air power more superior.When the war ended, it was obvious that while Europe suffered, America had prospered. In Europe there was little food or clothing, while the fashion world in New York was thriving. There were some scarcities but after the war life returned to “better” than before in America, and as before, the Americans turned a blind eye to their suffering allies, preoccupied with their own greed and achievement which was sometimes over glorified and exaggerated.Many famous historic personalities were featured in the narrative which made it a bit nostalgic as well as informational. After the war, many of those deeply involved were left adrift. Even such famous personages like Churchill were voted out and cast aside, their achievements and bravery forgotten. Truman, the newly sworn-in President, following the death of FDR, pretty much ignored Winston. The loss of their positions of power led many to flounder. They had no future that could possibly compare to what their past had been. Illness, mental and physical, took the lives of some while others managed to redirect their energy and remain involved, like Averill Harriman.The most upsetting thing for me, regarding the information in this book, was how similar the mistakes made then, are to the mistakes being made today. When the Democrats are in charge, it seems they are not invested in national security and cannot seem to expend the energy and courage necessary to end a battle or win a war; they worry too much about their legacies and their poll numbers. The craving for power and inability to act in a timely fashion caused the sacrifice of many more innocent lives than necessary throughout history and quite possibly extended WWII. The competition and inability to share important knowledge and technology for fear of not being the top caused failures then and continues to cause inaction today.The narrator read the book in a clear voice, but it was a dry presentation which often led to a lapse in concentration.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A compelling, often gripping example of storytelling, Citizens of London, reads like a work of suspenseful fiction. In this historical account, Lynn Olson's writing grabs you from the first page and propels you through the Blitz years of London through the period after World War II. At its center is a group of journalists, headed by Edward R. Murrow, who brought the impact of the war on London, into American homes, through regular radio broadcasts.The diplomatic scene is brought to the forefront through the lives and work of Winston Churchill, Averill Harriman, and the relatively unknown US Ambassador to Britain, John Gilbert Winant. It is Winant's role in winning US support for the British that was a revelation for me. It is a pity that his expert diplomacy during some very difficult years is largely unknown to most Americans.A must read for all lovers of history and anyone who enjoys a good story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    While in general, this book is an overview of how England dealt with the Second World War on both the geopolitical front and the very practical living-life front, it focuses on three individuals, three Americans, in particular: ambassador Gil Winant, Lend-Lease administrator Averill Harriman, and CBS broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. The stories of these three, and how they interacted with various levels of the British government (including the BBC, in the case of Murrow) is the principal thread, and the author does a very good job of setting things out, including the frustrations each had in their respective jobs. The author also doesn't shy away from detailing the stresses and strains of the Anglo-American relationship. A very good book, and well worth a read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Having read "Those Angry Days," in which Olson chronicles America's journey into World War II, I had learned to appreciate Olson's skill at understanding and explicating complicated relationships. However, whereas "Those Angry Days" focused mainly on antagonistic relationships (especially between FDR and Lindbergh), the subject here is an equally complex web of cooperative relationships... Winston Churchill, Roosevelt, Gil Winant (US ambassador to Britain), Ed Murrow, and Averell Harriman (Lend-Lease administrator)...that ultimately spelled the success of the Allied cause.Not that everybody "got along famously." Far from it, and that is the strength of Olson's work that I so enjoy: unflinching honesty, clear-eyed appraisals, no "buy in" to the easy answer or the common mythos. All in all, I would say that the two characters who shine brightest in this cast are Winant and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Churchill. Perhaps that is because Winant is the true "dark horse" of the group and Churchill is...well...Churchill, equal parts heroic, enigmatic, and comedic. Only one other comment: Before you read this text, you will need some sense of the flow of events in World War II...not because Olson doesn't clearly narrate them but because, by virtue of her focus, they become necessarily "backgrounded."I dearly hope that Olson continues to write on World War II; I feel like I've found another historian I truly love to read (on par with the likes of David McCullough or Hampton Sides). Well worth the time!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A different perspective of life in London during World War II. It certainly gave me insight into several individuals who played important roles in bringing the US into the war, but who don't often appear in many of the work written about the era.The relationship between Averill Harriman, Edward R. Murrow and John Gilbert Winant was quite enlightening. I'd never heard of Winant, and although the other two were familiar names, I was unaware of how their careers influenced people like Roosevelt and Churchill. Interesting, well-written if a bit dry.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Although Schmerguls cites discrepancies in his review of this book, without further research I cannot agree or disagree with him. Even with these minor lapses in the author's scholarship, I found the book fascinating.How quickly we forget true heroes of our time. Not that I am a WWII-phile, I was very chagrined to note I had never once heard of Gil Winant. Not that I have read that much of Franklin Roosevelt, still one would think he might have mentioned the man in some fashion, enough to deserve a quote in some bio or another!This books puts a welcomed face to the courage exhibited by those who refused to bow down before the Nazi onslaught. I recommend it highly.This was the best non-fiction book I have heard narrated. Kudos to the director or producer! All footnotes were read, prefaced by "author's note."
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The United States did not want to get involved in WWII, there was a very strong isolationist sentiment in the states. Many felt what happened in Europe would not affect the US. President Roosevelt felt involvement in the war was inevitable but wanted the approval of the American people.Edward R. Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Averell Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR’s Lend-Lease program in London; and John Gilbert Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain; each knew that to win England needed help from the US, in more than just the supplies being sent in the Lend-Lease program.This book details the efforts each of these men to bring this about, how they kept the lines of communication open between Churchhill and Roosevelt. It combines historical facts with personal recollections of those involved through letters and diaries. I found it to be interesting and informative.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I liked this book very much. If you are a WWII follower you should read this book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I was a soldier.

    I was a sailor.

    I was a pilot.

    I was a citizen of London.

    Honestly, Citizens of London probably deserves another star but I wasn't in the right headspace to give it. However, I do know a good book when I read one.

    We all know how long it took the United States to become an active participant of World World II. Lynne Olson's emphasizes just how much leg shuffling and paper pushing it took. I was even to the point of Seriously America? and the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. The British were secretly happy not because of the lives lossed but because they knew that would be the catalyst to jumpstart the US of A's participation in their losing war.

    But before Pearl Harbor, these three men, Edward Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant, were working behind the scenes to help forge an alliance between Great Britain and America. Essentially, these men along with other "citizens of London helped form the relationship between Winston Churchill and FDR.

    I really enjoyed Citizens of London and I'm glad it was a book club selection. This book actually goes really well as a companion piece for the Dr. Suess book, it might be called This Means War, which were a series of political cartoons detailing the United States reluctance getting into World War II.

    I thought the last chapter was heartbreaking as these three men were kind of lost after WWII. After all the hustle and bustle and booming economy of war, to slow down was so excruiciating. It left them without a true purpose and some couldn't adapt to the new world (Winant) but some could (Harriman and to the most part Murrow.)

    Maybe I'll give it that extra star.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Most people are unaware of the period of time immediately preceding America’s entry in World War II, mistakenly believing that the United States was quick to assist its future Allies with both material and moral support in the face of Nazi aggression. In fact, not only were an extremely large majority of people adamantly opposed to even providing significant support to the beleaguered British people, there was a sizable contingent of pro-German sympathizers.This history tells the story of a triumvirate of American citizens who found themselves in the city of London at the height of the Battle of Britain. Edward R. Murrow, a CBS radio reporter who brought the terror of the Blitz to the American people, John Gilbert Winand, American Ambassador to England and successor to the widely despised Joseph Kennedy, and Averell Harriman, FDR’s Lend Lease coordinator. Both Winand and Harriman became close confidants to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and became his biggest assets in a never ceasing attempt to acquire increasingly desperately needed humanitarian and military supplies in time to forestall a collapse of England.The book paints Roosevelt as a possibly sympathetic audience, but also as a shrewd politician who was well aware that the American people and the sitting Congress would not allow U. S. entry into the European conflict absent a direct provocation. Pearl Harbor provided that provocation.After American entry into the war, the book devolves into well-worn territory, albeit with numerous personal vignettes featuring the book’s three protagonists. FDR comes across as a pretty cold, cynical, megalomaniacal political operator in his dealings with both Churchill and Stalin, and Americans in general are painted in a rather poor light in comparison with their long suffering British allies.In any case, the book is instructive and educational in its portrayal of the years immediately preceding American entry into the conflict, especially as seen through English eyes, and the eyes of Americans on the ground in London.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is about a group of American men who supported the people of England during WWII before the rest of America declared war. This book originally focuses on John Gilbert Winant, Edward R. Murrow, and Averell Harriman but it does also discuss other Americans in London. I really enjoyed reading about these men and their efforts to help England and to alert the people of America to what the British were facing. While I understand that it was important to talk about how affairs were commonplace in London during the war, I could have done without some of the portions dedicated to mentioning how Winston Churchill's daughter-in-law, Pamela, basically slept with every important British and American man to be found in London. It is fine to talk about once but to keep going back to it became a bit annoying. Besides that, this was a really interesting (and towards the end it seemed even emotional) look at London during the war and at the Americans who spent the war there.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very interesting history of London and the War. Maybe one of the best I have read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Anyone interested at all in WWII should read this. I found out a lot of interesting things - some that saddened me, some that inspired me, and some that infuriated me. The book is a winner, at the least, for giving the details of Gilbert Winant, the US Ambassador in Britain for most of WWII. An inspiring man. Also really helpful is the bibliography in back (thank you for including one, Ms. Olson), which I will be looking through to add some more books on the my to-read list.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    During the years leading up to our involvement, and all through WWII, three influential American men were outstanding in their support of Great Britain . John Winant, US ambassador to Britain; Edward R Murrow, CBS’s chief news director; and Averell Harriman, rich playboy who inveigled his way into influential positions, up to being the director of our Lend-Lease program to Great Britain. “Taking advantage of his nebulous job description, the ambitious Harriman was involving himself more and more with nothing to do with Lend-Lease. As a businessman and sportsman, he had long been known for his elbows-out tactics.” Although well fed, entertained, and housed, these Americans suffered along with British commoners through the horrendous bombing raids, the continuing spells of inadequate heat and electricity. Plain spoken, street friendly John Winant won the citizens’ appreciation; heartfelt commentator Murrow ‘s popular broadcasts detailed the Londoners’ plight to England and the US; society-driven Harriman was doted on by Churchill, who continually pressed him for more supplies. All three men spent many country weekends at Churchill’s estate, Chequers. Churchill was indefatigable in his appeals for aid. Both married, Harriman and Murrow had affairs with Churchill’s illustrious daughter-in-law Pamela. John Winant sought the comfort of Churchill’s actress and more serious-minded daughter Sarah. The first newsman to enter Buchenwald, 3 days after the Germans fled, Murrow, shocked by the sight of so many debilitated inmates, could hardly speak. The war’s ending left him and Winant restless, at loose ends. Two years later the depressed Winant shot himself. Murrow held positions of respect at CBS. Harriman became US ambassador to Great Britain. Meeting up with Pamela again, he married her in 1971. “Harriman died in 1986 at the age of 94. His indefatigable wife went on to become the doyenne of the Democratic Party and US ambassador to France.” Lynne Olson’s research, organization, and way of telling make this a masterpiece. The fascinating background details of this period should make for a good discussion at BookClub.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    An easy to read but in-depth history book about a subject so few of us have ever thought about or read. Very good!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This book is a study of London in World War II, and sort of tells the story of John Winant, US ambassador to England during the war, and of Edward R.Murrow and of Averell Harriman. It says much good about Winant and Murrow, even though the author asserts all three were adulterers. Early on in the book it is asserted that Hoover in 1932 only carried five states, but he actually carried six states, and it is also asserted that Harry Hopkins was a native of Grinnell, Iowa but he was actually a notive of Sioux City, Iowa. These are minor things but told me that the auhor was not too fussy about being correct, and that colored my reaction to some things in the book. I found the book often depressing, since the author concentrates on things that went wrong or were done wrong. Maybe this is to be expected, since Winant did commit suicide in 1947. But in general this is not an enjoyable book to read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A great WWII history book. It's a contrarian view of the US role in the great conflict from Americans living in England during the darkest days of 1940 and later. Newscaster Edward R. Murrow and American envoys Averill Harriman and John Gilbert Winant are described in fascinating detail. What is it like to live under intense bombardment and extremely reduced food, clothing, and residential necessities. This book tells it in graphic detail.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love this book! The story of how the England worked to compel the United States to respond to its desperate needs during WWII is a compelling read that centers on three primary players who influence Churchill and Roosevelt: John Gilbert Winant, Edward R. Murrow and Averell Harriman. Intricately researched, the narrative details with candor and censure the life and times of the British nation as it copes with and survives the war.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    While I was familiar with the role Ed Murrow and Averell Harriman had regarding the lives of Londoners during WWII, I'd not heard of John Winant, the American ambassador to Britain during the war.This book details the role the three of them played in bringing America into WWII, and saving Britain in the process.Olsen does not shy from calling out the US Military and FDR for their biases against the British, and gives a full picture of just how difficult Eisenhower's task was to pull together an 'Allied' force, when most of the other Americans (Gen. George S. Patton in particular) wanted it to be an American-led fight and victory.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Fascinating read. Provides an intimate view into the personalities, egos, and relationships of the leaders of the U.S. and Britain before, during and after the U.S. entry into WW II. The focus is on three Americans living in London (Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and U.S. Ambassador to Britain John Gilbert Winant) who stood by Britain and never stopped pushing for U.S. involvement in the war, and in the post-war settlement/reconstruction.