Churchill's History of the Second World War

HIST: Discussions about the last 4000 years of history, give or take a few days.

Moderator: K. A. Pital

Post Reply
Simon_Jester
Emperor's Hand
Posts: 30165
Joined: 2009-05-23 07:29pm

Churchill's History of the Second World War

Post by Simon_Jester »

I've read through this series two or three times. I know quite well that Churchill took the opportunity to insert self-justifications into the text- "History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it."

What I would like to hear people's views on is: where, exactly, are the significant inaccuracies? Where does he misrepresent his own policies, or those of others? Where his account disagrees with other people who were primary sources on the high levels of Allied decision-making, are Churchill's claims usually more or less accurate, insofar as we can be certain?

I would dearly love to get my hands on a decent commentary to The Second World War, such as might be compiled by a group of impartial historians who had researched the text and checked it against the facts as best they could. Does such a work exist?
This space dedicated to Vasily Arkhipov
User avatar
thejester
Jedi Council Member
Posts: 1811
Joined: 2005-06-10 07:16pm
Location: Richard Nixon's Secret Tapes Club Band

Re: Churchill's History of the Second World War

Post by thejester »

Simon you might be interested in In Command of History by David Reynolds. I haven't read it but it got glowing reviews for doing exactly what you ask - critically examining both the work itself and the writing of it.
Image
I love the smell of September in the morning. Once we got off at Richmond, walked up to the 'G, and there was no game on. Not one footballer in sight. But that cut grass smell, spring rain...it smelt like victory.

Dynamic. When [Kuznetsov] decided he was going to make a difference, he did it...Like Ovechkin...then you find out - he's with Washington too? You're kidding.
- Ron Wilson
Post Reply