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Citizens Of London: The Americans Who Stood With Britain In Its Darkest, Finest Hour (2010)

by Lynne Olson(Favorite Author)

4.16 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1400067588 (ISBN13: 9781400067589)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Random House

review 1: This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's been a long time since I read a non-fiction book that struck an emotional chord with me as strong as a work of fiction. Maybe it's because the story of the Allied experience in WWII is so captivating in and of itself. But I think the success of this book also owes much to Olson's deft storytelling. The main personalities are vividly rendered, and she has an amazing cast to work with. In addition to the three "main characters", Olson also offers compelling portraits of Churchill, FDR, Eisenhower, and Anthony Eden, and their relationships with each other. Even supporting characters are incredibly strong, like Sarah Churchill and Tommy Hitchcock. Olson's narrative style and knack for finding punchy quotes -- there were a numb... moreer of times when I literally laughed out loud -- enriches the historical details and makes for effortless reading. There were also many moments when I teared up at the extent of the sacrifices made and the strength of the transatlantic bonds that were forged, especially on the level of ordinary people. I knew that America suffered relatively less than her Allies in WWII, but this books really drives home the stark contrast between quality of life in the US and in the UK and other parts of Europe, where rationing continued into the 1950s, whereas living standards in the US greatly improved. The US also suffered the fewest casualties and was mercifully spared the crippling physical destruction, with the exception of Pearl Harbor. One of the lasting impressions of this book is the resonance of the old Churchillian quote - that you can always count on the Americans to do the right thing -- after they've tried absolutely everything else! It neatly sums up this book, which is simply outstanding.
review 2: I am always intrigued about the behind the scenes history and politics. This book's story of Gil Winant, Edward R. Morrow, and Avril Harriman is fascinating and not something that I have ever read about. That being said, when the book got into the details of the campaigns in North Africa and Eisenhower I had great difficultly staying with it. Too many simple facts and numbers to be riveting history. I would recommend this book to anyone simply for the story of Winant who was not given his place in history. less

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