Warlords: An Extraordinary Re-creation of World War II through the Eyes and Minds of Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin - Hardcover

Simon Berthon is a distinguished writer and producer of historical documentaries and is the author of Allies at War . Joanna Potts has worked on a number of television series including Empire by Niall Ferguson.

Recounting WWII from the point of view of the era's four political giants is an original idea, and it works: while not exactly revisionist, Berthon and Potts's book delivers some good jolts. Where popular writers often portray the good guys, Churchill and Roosevelt, as friendly partners, the authors refuse to soft-pedal controversies that erupted after America declared war—especially over Churchill's reluctance to support a cross-Channel invasion and F.D.R.'s pressure on Churchill to free Britain's colonies. Readers will wince to be reminded of Roosevelt's conviction that Britain's imperial ambitions were a greater threat than Stalin's and his belief that Stalin was a sensible fellow one could do business with. Those accustomed to the stirring History Channel depiction of WWII as a crusade against evil will cringe to read of Stalin's persistent, insulting treatment of his allies and of the unspeakable atrocities he committed against his own countrymen. Using diaries, correspondence and personal accounts, the book cuts back and forth among its subjects as they direct the war. This cinematic style succeeds (the authors work in British TV), and the scholarship is solid—so solid that readers convinced WWII was less squalid than other wars may be provoked to reconsider. (Mar.)
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