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Book Synopsis''Masterful research, impeccable detail, with a beautifully flowing narrative of which Churchill himself would have been proud.'' - Professor Peter Caddick-AdamsFrom his earliest days Winston Churchill was an extreme risk taker and he carried this into adulthood. Today he is widely hailed as Britain's greatest wartime leader and politician. Deep down though, he was foremost a warlord. Just like his ally Stalin, and his arch enemies Hitler and Mussolini, Churchill could not help himself and insisted on personally directing the strategic conduct of World War II. For better or worse he insisted on being political master and military commander.Again like his wartime contemporaries, he had a habit of not heeding the advice of his generals. The results of this were disasters in Norway, North Africa, Greece and Crete during 194041. His fruitless Dodecanese campaign in 1943 also ended in defeat. Churchill's pig-headedness over supporting the Italian campaign in defiance of the Ri
Trade ReviewThis well-researched, well-written and soundly argued book is a real addition to the avalanche of books on Winston Churchill, illuminating where the military views came from that were so profoundly to affect the twentieth century and beyond. * Andrew Roberts, author of 'Churchill: Walking with Destiny' *
Masterful research, impeccable detail, with a beautifully flowing narrative of which Churchill himself would have been proud. * Professor Peter Caddick-Adams *
A lively and compelling account of a remarkable military-political career. As eye-opening as it is comprehensive, Tucker-Jones brings to life Churchill’s experience of combat and military command and charts the course that made him such a great warlord. Balanced and judicious, this book shows us the full measure of the man – his mistakes, blunders and defeats, as well as the glorious victories. * Professor Geoffrey Roberts *
This is a thoroughly recommended book and important to appreciate its focus and scope as a welcome addition to the Churchill library. * Aspects of History *
A well-researched and well-argued offering that looks at some of [Churchill's] most controversial decisions and how they were influenced by his experiences in the First World War. * Soldier *
Throughout the book the author offers a well-balanced opinion, & he is critical, but fair, when pointing out some of Churchill's mistakes. -- Simon Dalton * History Book Chat *
Table of ContentsForeword by Andrew Roberts Introduction Prologue: Death or Glory List of Maps List of Illustrations PART ONE: BAPTISM OF FIRE 1. Soldiers of the Queen 2. Frontier Wars 3. Great Escape 4. The Sakabulas
PART TWO: FALL AND RISE 5. A Haunting Lesson 6. ‘Cat on Hot Bricks’ 7. Winston’s Mercenaries
PART THREE: WORLD ORDER OR DISORDER 8. Flying Police 9. Troubled Emerald Isle 10. Beneath the Sphinx 11. Nazism or Communism
PART FOUR: THE WARLORD RETURNS 12. Master and Commander 13. His Finest Hour 14. Strategic Dilemma 15. Old Foes 16. Hitting Back 17. ‘Bands of Brothers’
PART FIVE: GLOBAL JUGGLING ACT 18. Mediterranean Showdown 19. An American Friend 20. Joan of Arc 21. Courting the Red Czar 22. Loss of Faith 23. India in Revolt
PART SIX: WAR OF WILLS 24. Strained Relations 25. Second Front Now 26. ‘Death Wish’ 27. Miracle of Deliverance 28. ‘The Whole Scene’
Epilogue: Gone Painting Winston Churchill’s Military Career at a Glance: 1895–1945 Notes and References Bibliography Index
