Churchill's Generals [Hardcover]

John Keegan (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991

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.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book is a series of biographical sketches of the most noted British generals of World War II. The common theme is a brief description of each of their relationships with Churchill, the battles they fought, and how they fared in their campaigns, whether political or military. Each sketch ends with a brief bibliography and a career chronology. The work will introduce the general reader to some relatively unknown figures from the war and provide discussions of issues that caused dissension among the allies. However, students of World War II will be disappointed because the sketches are broad in content and tone and Churchill remains a shadowy figure in the background. As it will fill a gap in World War II collections, the book is recommended for college and university libraries.
- Charles Abshire, Mt. Hood Community Coll. Lib., Gresham, Ore.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'Military history doesn't get much better than this. A real gem for aficionados.' SCOTTISH LEGION NEWS --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Grove Pr; First Edition edition (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802113095
• ISBN-13: 978-0802113092
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,533,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The British War, June 13, 2007

By 

Nicholas E. Sarantakes (Newport, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Churchill's Generals (Cassell Military Paperbacks) (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic introduction to the British generals of WWII, May 5, 2005

By 

lordhoot "lordhoot" (Anchorage, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Churchill's Generals (Paperback)

Churchill's Generals proves to be just that, basic introduction to the British generals who fought under Winston Churchill during the Second World War. Its an interesting collection of soldiers, some which every students of military history knows while others were folks no one never heard off until they read this book. These biographical essays proves to be a mixed bunch. Some are better then others. Some essays proves to be quite insightful and able to give an personal understanding of their subject. Others seem to be written by a clerk copying off some dossier file.

The book is a companion to its sister volumes, Hitler's Generals and Stalin's Generals. I would put this book above Stalin's Generals but its definitely inferior to Hitler's Generals. I haven't seen titles for Roosevelt's Generals or Hirohito's Generals so I guess we are stuck with these three books.

Overall, a pretty basic introduction essays. It should be enough to arouse your curiousity and hopefully you will read more on the subject. Some of the British generals like Slim really do need greater attention.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Potted biography of WW2 British Generals, March 29, 2000

By 

andrew brown (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Churchill's Generals (Hardcover)

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.