Synopses & Reviews
In May 1940, with France on the verge of defeat, Britain alone stood in the path of the Nazi military juggernaut. Survival seemed to hinge on the leadership of Winston Churchill, whom the King reluctantly appointed Prime Minister as Germany invaded France. Churchills reputation as one of the great twentieth-century leaders would be forged during the coming months and years, as he worked tirelessly first to rally his country and then to defeat Hitler. But Churchillregarded as the savior of his nation, and of the entire continentcould not have done it alone.
As prize-winning historian Jonathan Schneer reveals in Ministers at War, Churchill depended on a team of powerful ministers to manage the war effort as he rallied a beleaguered nation. Selecting men from across the political spectrumfrom fellow Conservative Anthony Eden to leader of the opposing socialist Labor Party Clement AttleeChurchill assembled a War Cabinet that balanced competing interests and bolstered support for his national coalition government. The group possessed a potent blend of talent, ambition, and egotism. Led and encouraged by Churchill, the ministers largely set aside their differences, at least at first. As the war progressed, discord began to grow. It reached a peak in 1945: with victory seemingly assured, Churchill was forced by his Minsters at War to dissolve the Government and call a General Election, which, in a shocking upset, he lost to his rival Attlee.
Authoritatively recasting our understanding of British high politics during World War II, Schneer shows that Churchill managed the war effort by managing his team of supremely able yet contentious cabinet members. The outcome of the war lay not only in Churchills individual brilliance but also in his skill as an executive, and in the collective ability of men who muted their personal interests to save the world from barbarism.
Review
Foreign AffairsA lively and readable book. The basic storyof how the United Kingdoms coalition government formed in 1940 and how it held together until the Allies defeated Germanyis familiar. But Schneers telling makes the tale fresh, owing to his compelling portraits of Churchills cabinet members and his emphasis on the importance of postwar planning.”
Spectator (UK)
In this scholarly, yet grippingly readable study of the wartime coalition, Jonathan Schneer, reveals how much of a myth the popular legend of a political class and nation united behind their belligerent war leader truly was.”
Literary Review (UK)
A lucid and compelling narrative.... Schneer is both scholarly and entertaining, punctuating the story with vivid sketches of the leading personalities.”
Washington Times
Mr. Schneers account of the political maneuvering that led to Churchills ascension should fascinate even readers who care naught for British politics.”
Winnipeg Free Press (CAN)
A compellingly readable account of an often-overlooked aspect of his wartime leadership.”
Open Letters Monthly
Brisk and very entertaining.... Schneer is genuinely talented at the kind of character-gallery dramatics that far too few working historians today can muster.”
BBC History Magazine
Its always refreshing to read a book that covers familiar terrain yet brings a different eye and perspective to bear on it. Here, Jonathan Schneer has succeeded with considerable aplomb. Highly readable.”
Armchair General
Schneers superb book reveals how this fractious team pulled together when it counted in order to win the war. Especially enlightening to American readers is Schneers examination of why Churchill, who was still extremely popular as the leader who had guided Britain to victory, was swept from power in the July 1945 general election when his Conservative Party was overwhelmingly defeated by the Labour Party.”
Washington Free Beacon
A lively account of Churchills grand coalition and the challenges he faced dealing with the endless scheming of powerful men and provides a fine description of the complex politics of one of the most important governments in British history.”
Library Journal, starred review
A smoothly written and insightful examination of the men who aided Churchill during the years fraught with danger from the Nazi war machine. For most readers, this will be a book that cannot be put down until the last page is reached. An exceptional history on an extremely important topic, which should be acquired by all libraries.”
Kirkus, starred review
A striking look inside the British government during a time when some of the most interesting characters of a challenging era were fighting for both the nation's salvation and their own ambitions. Churchill's role as a wartime leader is well-known from a myriad of histories, but this is one of the best recent treatments of his role as a head of government. Clear, thoroughly entertaining and full of lively detail.”
Lee Pollock, Executive Director of The Churchill Centre
Jonathan Schneers Ministers at War provides a fascinating and lively account of the team of rivals” that led Britain to victory during the Second World War. His insightful research and vivid writing bring to life an intriguing array of personalities whose role in Winston Churchills coalition government was crucial to the nations war effort. Ministers at War skillfully draws back the curtain on the complex politics of the five most eventful years in Britains history.”
James Cronin, author of Global Rules: America, Britain and a Disordered World
Jonathan Schneer has written a fascinating and original book on Winston Churchill and the politics of the Second World War. While Churchills most notable contribution was to rally his embattled country behind the war effort, Schneer highlights yet another major achievement: the putting together and managing of the domestic coalition that allowed Britain to mobilize all of its resources for war. The team he put together was extremely talented, but they were also ambitious, self-confident, and opinionated. Harnessing their efforts, dealing with their incessant scheming and jostling with one another and with Churchill himself, took much time and great skill. And yet Churchill pulled off this feat as well. Schneer tells us much that we did not know, or know in detail, and allows us to see the war and Churchills achievement in a new light. An impressive book and a pleasure to read.”
Peter Clarke, author of Mr. Churchill's Profession
Like Abraham Lincoln before him, Winston Churchill proved himself a great war leader, as everyone knows. But Jonathan Schneers achievement is to show us how Churchill too had to work with a team of rivals in his own war cabinet. It is a story told with great assurance and studded with vivid personal detail.”
Peter Stansky, Stanford University
Written with brio and a rich command of the sources, Jonathan Schneer tells the fascinating and comparatively neglected story of Winston Churchill's Grand Coalition Cabinet of Tories, Labour, and Liberals, the political leaders who played crucial roles in winning the war against Hitler. Not surprisingly, they were also from time to time at war against one another and the Prime Minister. Churchill, despite his flaws, still emerges as the hero essential for the saving of Britain and her allies. This is a deeply insightful and important contribution to the understanding of the most important event of the twentieth century.”
Synopsis
In May of 1940, with France on the verge of defeat, Britain alone stood in the path of the Nazi military juggernaut. Victory hinged on the leadership of newly elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill. But Churchill did not save Britain on his own.
As prize-winning historian Jonathan Schneer reveals in Ministers at War, Churchill depended on a team of powerful ministers to manage the war effort as he rallied a beleaguered nation. Selecting men from across the political spectrumfrom fellow Conservative Anthony Eden to leaders of the opposing Labor Party such as Clement AtleeChurchill assembled a War Cabinet that would balance competing interests and bolster support for his national coalition government. The group possessed a potent blend of talent, ambition, and egotism, but Churchill masterfully kept their rivalries and political challenges in check.
In this dramatic story of British high politics during World War II, Schneer shows how the cabinets teamworkand Churchills brilliant leadershippaved the way for Britains victory.
About the Author
Jonathan Schneer is a professor of history at Georgia Tech. The author of
The Balfour Declaration, which won the 2010 National Jewish Book Award, Schneer lives in Decatur, Georgia.
Table of Contents
Part I: Making a War CabinetChapter 1. Challenging the Prime Minister
Chapter 2. Finding a War Prime Minister
Part II. Churchill and His Ministers at War
Chapter 3. Testing the War Cabinet
Chapter 4. The Months of Greatest Crisis
Chapter 5. Shaping the War Cabinet
Chapter 6. The War Cabinet at Work
Chapter 7. Spearhead of the Left
Chapter 8. Coping with Mr. Cripps
Chapter 9. The Cat That Walked Alone
Chapter 10. The Impact of Professor Beveridge
Chapter 11. The Cocky Cockney” and the Debate over Postwar Britain
Part III: Sundering the War Cabinet
Chapter 12. Churchill on the Downslope
Chapter 13. Aftershock
Coda