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judyward's review
2.0
British historian Richard Holmes has written a history of the Cabinet War Rooms which were constructed underneath London near the Houses of Parliament during World War II. While London was being bombed and its survival was in question, the highest ranking individuals in the military and intelligence communities worked around the clock devising strategy in these underground offices. While this book was interesting, it was very uneven. Holmes excelled in describing how the bunker was constructed, who worked in the bunker, and how they interaction with each other and with Churchill, but much of the book was a discussion of Winston Churchill's career and the extent of his travels during the war and interactions with Allied leaders.
catherine_t's review
4.0
I picked up this book on my recent trip to the UK, during a visit to the Churchill War Rooms. I wanted something on the history of the place, something that gave a more in-depth look than the guidebook. This is an excellent resource. Holmes brings the place to life, makes it bristle with activity and tension, giving the reader a real sense of what the War Rooms were like during their years of use.
What particularly interested me, having read Mr. Churchill's Secretary, is the role that women played--a vital role, really, because it was a group of women from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), led and organized by Squadron Officer Joan Williams, who, from 1942 onward, were employed in ciphering and deciphering messages coming into the (then) Cabinet War Rooms. Before 1942, the three services (Navy, Army, and Air Force) employed their own teams for this task; in 1942, it was decided that this work should be centralized. Squadron Officer Williams had been in charge of the Air Ministry's Cypher Office, and it fell to her to choose the women who would do this important work in the new Cabinet Office Cypher Office.
It's a part of World War II history that gets little mention in the official history books. Kudos to Richard Holmes for, if not exactly emphasizing the women's role, then definitely highlighting it.
What particularly interested me, having read Mr. Churchill's Secretary, is the role that women played--a vital role, really, because it was a group of women from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), led and organized by Squadron Officer Joan Williams, who, from 1942 onward, were employed in ciphering and deciphering messages coming into the (then) Cabinet War Rooms. Before 1942, the three services (Navy, Army, and Air Force) employed their own teams for this task; in 1942, it was decided that this work should be centralized. Squadron Officer Williams had been in charge of the Air Ministry's Cypher Office, and it fell to her to choose the women who would do this important work in the new Cabinet Office Cypher Office.
It's a part of World War II history that gets little mention in the official history books. Kudos to Richard Holmes for, if not exactly emphasizing the women's role, then definitely highlighting it.
gautamsing's review
3.0
I was expecting more from a book about Churchill, World War II and written by Richard Holmes. Perhaps I'm shooting the messenger, as it seems that the bunker was use much less than I thought it was during the war. Despite my love of London, Churchill & World War II history, I have not visited this place yet and will do next time I am in London.
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