About this title: Bestselling historian John Lukacs traces the history of Churchill's pivotal first speech before Parliament - a speech that transformed both Churchill and the nation he had come to lead. On 13th May 1940, Churchill stood before Parliament to deliver his first speech as Prime Minister. Britain was embroiled in the first year of World War II; Neville ...
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Description: Fine. 0465002870 Thanks for looking at bookhaven1. these books may have shelf wear and remainder mark. hardcover books may have missing or torn Dust Jackets. read more
Description: Very Good. 0465002870 Thanks for looking at bookhaven1. these books may have shelf wear hardcover books may have missing or torn Dust Jackets. read more
Description: Good. 0465002870 Fast Shipping. Book torn, creased, missing dust jacket or otherwise damaged. Customer Service is our #1 priority. read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Like New. 2009-Paperback-May contain minor shelf-wear. Otherwise, volume un-read and in "As-New" condition. -Used-Like New-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Basic Books
Date Published: 2009-09-29
ISBN-13:9780465018208ISBN:0465018203
Description: Good. Good title in good condition. Pages are clean and tight. Covers show some shelf wear and bumping. Satisfaction guaranteed. If item not as described, return for refund of purchase price. read more
"John Lukacs is such a wonderful historian. His narrative style is dramatic and informative and he has the ability to isolate crucial historical events, in this case the disaster of the fall of France in 1940, tie it to one speech of Winston Churchill's and thereby illuminate the times. Much like his earlier book, Five Days in London: May 1940, here Lukacs makes perfectly clear the gravity of the situation in Britain as France fell. The possibility of a victorious Nazi invasion of Britain with all of Europe as part of the Third Reich was too horrible to contemplate but also too real a possibility."
"John Lukacs is an idiosyncratic historian at times, and this book allows him to indulge his idiosyncrasies. Ostensibly, this is the story of Churchill's "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech. Beyond that, it is partly a history of the early Second World War, partly a study of Churchill's rhetoric and leadership style, and partly a light-handed hagiography. (Lukacs is willing to see Churchill's faults, but also willing to hand-wave a bit by invoking Churchill's special character and powers of perception.) He also skirts providentialism, using forms of the word "Providence" more than once without actually coming out and saying what he's thinking. It's an odd little essay, but I think it generally works. At any rate, Lukacs has the clout to pull it off."
"Lukacs, who taught history when I was an undergraduate at La Salle in Philadelphia (how long ago!), is apparently still at work. His analysis of the central importance of this speech, Churchill's second after becoming war-time PM, is revealing. The British people needed to be awakened to their peril and to the sacrifices not far ahead."
"A quick read, with a very clear overview of Churchill's May 13, 1940 speech, and how it impacted the whole war. Well-written and comprehensive, yet with good details."
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