Rating: 
Summary: As pertinent now as the day it was written
Review: A dictator begins breaking the conditions of a peace treaty imposed on his nation, after it lost a war of aggression.
One by one, the conditions of the peace treaty are broken, while the victors, France and England in this case, look on, and the UN, oops, League of Nations, debates and achieves nothing.
After breaking basically all the conditions, the dictator, by threats achieves the elimination of a country, and still, the powers in Europe look on. The writer eloquently warns and is ignored. Then, as the "the tocsin sounds" He is called upon to come and fix the mess.
Any resemblance to events ocurring in the Middle East is not purely coincidental.
This books and the 5 following are the only history of the war written by an involved head of state, and a Nobel Literature prize winner to boot.
Buy, read and ponder.
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Summary: Masterul use of english language to tell a great story
Review: As with virtually everything he did in life, Winston Churchill wrote his six volume history of the Second World War with many goals: As the Prime Minister of Britain (and--equally importantly--a member of the "right" class), Churchill had access to volumes of original documents. As the Prime Minister during the War, he was in a unique position to understand the relationship of those documents to real events. As a central actor, he had a huge incentive to prepare the first draft of history...to place himself in the best possible light. As a conservative politician out of power when he wrote, he sought to warn the world of the looming communist menace. Finally, as a long time practitioner of written English, he had an unparalleled command of the language. In this volume, Churchill successfully blends together all of these personas to create an absolutely riveting history of the prelude to the Second World War--from the close of World War One to the invasion of Belgium. Churchill's mastery of English is reason enough to read this book. For example, in describing the British government's constant debates over what to do about German rearmament, Churchill says the British were "frothing pious platitudes while foeman forge their arms". Very seldom do I have to turn to a dictionary while reading, but Churchill sent me there regularly.
But do not think that this is just a book to be read to enjoy his use of language. His detailed account of how we got into the Second World War, and how we might have avoided it, is incisive and persuasively argued. And always watch for the subtext--his warning that the appeasement on Germany was then (in the 1950's) being repeated in the appeasement of the Soviet Union.
Churchill's weakness flows directly from his strength. As a prime actor, he saw (and describes) the war entirely from the "balance of power", or large political perspective. The plight of the Jews in Germany is barely mentioned. He pays virtually no attention to the internal politics of the U.S.--which ultimately proved decisive in the war. And he virtually ignores the growing war in the far east.
With that limitation in mind, this is a book everyone interested in understanding the Second World War--and everyone who enjoys the creative use of the English language--should read.
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Summary: A fascinating look at the build-up to WWII
Review: Churchill gives the reader a fascinating look at the build-up the Second World War. The book is an especially interesting read because Churchill's personality comes through brilliantly. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: The events leading up to the start of World War Two
Review: History is written by the victors but Churchill does appear to report a chronology of events as they unfolded, based on the information and circumstances as they were at the time. He offers the invaluable insight of a politician, at first excluded from events and then at their center. A sense of the isolation and desperate nature of the British resistance is given and their determination to prevail against ever increasing odds. No history of World War 2 is complete without the story of the island nation who fought on alone for more than two years and no one was in a better position to report that story than Winston S. Churchill. Compelling reading which will leave you searching book stores for the other volumes in the series.
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Summary: Premier historical work its time
Review: I don't see how anyone can have an intelligent understanding of the history of the 20th century without having read Churchill's "Second World War." It's a gigantic paradox that I suppose dates back to Homer or further that the horrific events of war can have such fascination when told by a master like Sir Winston. It would be hard to name a document to parallel this, however; recounted in such riveting detail by one of the world's great leaders.
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Summary: A Hero for all times
Review: I just finished reading The Gathering Storm. I have read other books about World War II including, A Man Called Intrepid. This has been, by far, the best. Winston Churchill shows himself to be not only a great statesman, but also an increadibly articulate writer.
First, the story captured me by his tremendous grasp and use of the English language. Churchill's writing is very understandable even though he uses very proper or "High" English. His words draw you in and paint pictures in your mind. It was easy to feel as if you were in the story.
Secondly, Churchill tells an incredible story of suffering, perserverance, sacrifice and honor. Churchill describes how people served with honor and respect without regard to their own needs. History is so easily forgotten but fills such an enormous void in society. Churchill turned his very life over to the country and to the world in order that good would win out over the evil of Nazi Germany and Hitler.
Churchill does not just tell of the things that were done right. In fact, the bulk of the book tells primarily of the failure of the Allies to prevent war. Churchill presents a valuable lesson that dictators and bullies can not be tamed by appeasement. The dictator's appetite grows with every inch given over. Churchill also points out his own failures and mistakes, never once trying to shift the blame or make an excuse.
The Gathering Storm should be a lesson to all of the consequences of thinking that "if it doesn't affect me I don't care". It is a valuable history lesson for all. It is also an excellent book on being a leader. Churchill shows that being a leader is not about being famous and winning admiration. It is about self-sacrifice and thinking of the greater good.
This should be required reading for all high school students as well as every politician. We all need to remember what a tremendous price was paid for us. Winston Churchill was one of the worlds greatest leaders and heroes.
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Summary: great history, superlative writing and insight
Review: If you have never before read Churchill, you're about to discover why it is that his work stands alone: it is because there is no one who has used the English language quite like he did. In this area his work ranks as pure artistry. This is not to overshadow his efforts as an historian; his history of the increasingly tempestuous thirties--in which he was largely in the political wilderness--is insightful, and it is one of the only times in the entire six-volume series in which he writes from outside a position of political power. By this point in his writing career he had a lifetime of experience at the trade--indeed, it's mainly how he paid the bills--and it shows in his observations about the situations he witnessed. Even the discussions of Parliamentary wrangling are made interesting. As an interesting bonus, the back of this (and each other) volume is filled with memos, letters and notes that document what was going on at the time. They run the gamut from formal notifications of this or that to Churchill's grousing about the run-down look of the Admiralty's flag. It must have taken a whole room to hold all the source material for this series. If you love the masterful use of English, or take any interest in the history of the Second World War, many happy hours await you. There is no reason I can think of why one should not simply save on the shipping and get all six in one go.
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Summary: The Story of the Century by the Hero of It
Review: Reading Churchilll's fine history is a sharp reminder just how much western society is in his debt. Rule Brittania!
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Summary: Churchill, Appeasement and War
Review: The key point to be learnt from this volume of Churchill's memoirs is that history proved him correct. Through all the years leading up to World War II, Churchill alone understood the Nazi menace. Every step along the road of appeasement was another potentially destructive step for democracy. It fed the Nazi appetite for power and revenge. Appeasement was also incredibly naïve although this is said with the benefit of hindsight. Churchill, by way of contrast, was saying these things at the time. He saw the dangers in turning a blind eye to the surrender of the Rhineland, Austria and finally Czechoslovakia. The line drawn at Poland was too late. It meant that the war had to be fought from a weaker position than could have otherwise been the case if the democracies of western Europe had taken an earlier stand. Churchill's memoirs are long on detail and probably meant for a keen reader of modern history. Do not let this fact alienate potential readers. Churchill actually made history and his views remain relevant.
Rating:
Summary: Churchill, Appeasement and War
Review: The key point to be learnt from this volume of Churchill's memoirs is that history proved him correct. Through all the years leading up to World War II, Churchill alone understood the Nazi menace. Every step along the road of appeasement was another potentially destructive step for democracy. It fed the Nazi appetite for power and revenge. Appeasement was also incredibly naïve although this is said with the benefit of hindsight. Churchill, by way of contrast, was saying these things at the time. He saw the dangers in turning a blind eye to the surrender of the Rhineland, Austria and finally Czechoslovakia. The line drawn at Poland was too late. It meant that the war had to be fought from a weaker position than could have otherwise been the case if the democracies of western Europe had taken an earlier stand. Churchill's memoirs are long on detail and probably meant for a keen reader of modern history. Do not let this fact alienate potential readers. Churchill actually made history and his views remain relevant.
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