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A review by rosalyn007
Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour by Lynne Olson
5.0
The book starts with several quotes, one of which is by Churchill's daughter-in-law: "It was a terrible war, but if you were the right age and in the right place, it was spectacular." Olsen transports us right into the thick of all the excitement, of London during the Blitz, the draconian rationing, of being surrounded by constant death and privation, but also inside the raucous parties, the drama-filled inner circles of the Roosevelt and Churchill administrations, and the romantic acts of heroism, grit, and empathy shown throughout the war.
Winant, Murrow, and Harriman are lesser known but no less important actors in the European theater of WW2, and I'm so glad to know them through this book, which is leaden with first hand accounts, humanizing them even more. In fact, there are so many quotes pulled from the "people in the room" that better realize the various situations from both UK and US perspectives, from America's isolationist stance, to Britain's near breaking point in 1940-41, to the North African / French front, rise of Soviet power, and the post-war vie for dominance, etc. it really felt like I was looking at everything in real time.
Highly recommend for anyone who knows the general gist of WW2 timeline, but wants to delve deeper and follow a perspective not of your usual presidents or generals.
Winant, Murrow, and Harriman are lesser known but no less important actors in the European theater of WW2, and I'm so glad to know them through this book, which is leaden with first hand accounts, humanizing them even more. In fact, there are so many quotes pulled from the "people in the room" that better realize the various situations from both UK and US perspectives, from America's isolationist stance, to Britain's near breaking point in 1940-41, to the North African / French front, rise of Soviet power, and the post-war vie for dominance, etc. it really felt like I was looking at everything in real time.
Highly recommend for anyone who knows the general gist of WW2 timeline, but wants to delve deeper and follow a perspective not of your usual presidents or generals.