Our Supreme Task: How Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech Defined the Cold War Alliance

by Philip White

The year 1945 was a chaotic one, both for the world, of course, and for Winston Churchill. Communism was on the march and the people of Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Poland all found themselves in the grip of the Soviets. The Red Army occupied a large German territory, and the Kremlin was manipulating post-war food shortages, labor disputes, and social unrest in Greece, France, and Italy. Having spent his “wilderness years” in the late 1930s warning of the dangers of diplomatic and military weakness and the growing menace of Nazism, in 1946 Churchill made a trip to Fulton, Missouri, to deliver a speech entitled “The Sinews of Peace”—now known as the Iron Curtain Speech—which served to fundamentally define the dangers of Soviet totalitarian Communism. This is the story of that pivotal speech and how it came to be given, and a portrait of the irrepressible man who delivered it.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, World War II, Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

I'm intrigued by stories - from writing about history for Boston University's Historical Society to commenting on politics, music and books for the Huffington Post to writing my latest book, Whistle Stop: How 31,000 Miles of Train Travel, 352 Speeches, and a Little Midwest Gumption Saved the Presidency of Harry Truman.

In my spare time (hah!), I also write for supthemag.com and Canoe & Kayak, interview people such as Laird Hamilton, Ben Harper, Rich Froning and Erik Larson, and spend time with my wife and two young sons. When I can push away from the laptop, I enjoy SUP, Olympic lifting and reading.

Reviews

[Richard Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a splendid read. It gives all the background to Churchill's great Iron Curtain ("Sinews of Peace") speech. I knew the basic outline but found out wonderful stories (my favorite was about the ham and Churchill's comment!). Also has a great aftermath on the influence of this speech on J. F. Kennedy, Nixon etc. Highly recommended for its sterling research and for it clear, attractive prose. This is the best Churchill book I have read in years.

[Murdo Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up during the height of the Cold War. It was a time when bombers armed with nuclear weapons were constantly in the air. It is perhaps hard for people now to understand what it was like to live under those circumstances. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, I remember going to school on a particular day wondering if I would be alive at the end.

Our Supreme Task: How Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech Defined the Cold War Alliance describes the years immediately following World War 2 and describes how it came about that Winston Churchill delivered his historic speech at a small college in Missouri in March of 1946. Phillip White provides a compelling narrative that explains the global political and historical context of the speech while describing the unlikely events that resulted in it being delivered. Churchill again assumes the role of one warning against what he perceived to be the threat of Russian expansion in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He advocates the need for a strong alliance between the United States and Britain together with support of the United Nations Organization to stave of the perceived threat. The speech receives a mixed reception, some seeing it as increasing the threat of conflict between the countries.

The author has provided overall a readable account that balances geopolitical considerations with the human story of the individuals who made the speech possible. There are a few places where the attempt to overlap local with global events can result in some confusion over the timeline. I found at least one instance (page 119) where it appeared that a comment about America's entry into the war was at odds with the date of a cited speech. These few issues did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

[Cailin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a unique twist on a traditional history book by letting the reader become involved in the story instead of just the facts. The story centers on Winston Churchill’s great Iron Curtain speech in how it came to happen and where it happened. This one speech defines the outlook on so much of the Cold Alliance. This book allows the reader to follow the story defined by facts and notice how Winston Churchill struggles to warn America about the changes that will come.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in history or is studying it. This would be a nice addition to a research paper or just a leisurely read. As for someone who isn't really into history it was a nice change to read this book too. I won this from the giveaways. I will be passing this book’s title and authors name around to my fellow educators to read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did one of the most important speeches of Churchill's career come to be delivered at a small college in Missouri? Philip White answers this, and shows us the people involved in this landmark event. In doing so, Our Supreme Task is part history, part human interest story, as he alternates between Winston Churchill's search for a platform to warn the world of the coming perils of Stalinist Russian expansion, and the bold president of Fulton College who invited the world's most preeminent statesman to speak at his school.

Following the political defeat that stunned many, Churchill continued to look for ways to alert the world to the inherit threat to democracy he saw in communist totalitarianism. Much like his early years of speaking out against the rise of Hitler, his was a voice that refused to be silenced. Here we see Churchill as he works to unite England and America on a diplomatic course to stand firm in their opposition to Russia, which was already annexing neighboring nations and forcibly installing puppet governments. To a war weary world, his words were not welcome, but they came to both define the cold war and to influence foreign policy for decades to come.

[Afender · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Phil's style of writing! He made the factual interesting! I enjoyed reading about Churchill. He was an intriguing character that I think never looked at standing up for his beliefs as a hardship, but rather something that had to be done. His convictions kept him in the headlines, not always favorably! I am thankful he was a man of integrity and insight. A man for such a time as this-much like Esther of the Bible.

[Cam Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly engaging story, Our Supreme Task brings to life some of history's biggest ( and smallest) characters. By placing Churchill's speech firmly in the context of the times, Phillip White paradoxically reveals the timeless advice to nations and citizens that Churchill offered to his audience.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really very good. An enthralling story well told.

[Jon Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased my copy of this book in paperback at the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri when visiting that city in September 2023. Westminster College at Fulton was the site where Winston Churchill gave his famous "Sinews of Peace" speech in March 1946, in which he used the term "iron curtain" to describe the Soviet partitioning of Europe following the end of WW2. The museum is well worth a visit, as is the Church of St. Mary The Virgin next to the museum. The church was designed by Christopher Wren and was moved from London to Fulton in the 1960's. As for the book, it is a well written account of Churchill's political life prior to 1946 and the impact of his speaking skills on critical junctions in history, especially during WW2. It also details the development of the idea to invite Churchill to speak at a tiny Missouri college with a student enrollment of barely 300, and the unlikely circumstances that led to Churchill's acceptance of the invitation. The preparations ahead of the speech, and the perceived impact of Churchill's words at Fulton are also covered. If you are interested in Churchill and/or Cold War history, this book would be a good choice. Four out of five stars.

[Ben Pinkston · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and inspirational read that highlights the many details leading up to Churchill’s Fulton speech in 1946. As much as the focus on Churchill, I enjoyed the biographical emphasis on Frank McCluer, the president of Westminster and the instigator of Churchhill’s presence there for the Green lecture.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in pursuit of a history research paper, and it ended up being a supremely interesting and detailed study on one of the most important speeches of the 20th century. I was amazing at the precise details the author uncovered leading up to the speech and surrounding it. It was well researched, and sources were expertly used. The writing was fantastic--it was such a compelling story, not merely a historical analysis. I highly recommend to anyone interested in history, political science, or public relations.

[Paddy O'callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book with a very important message. It should be added to national cirricula all over the world. The message - bhoth literally and figuratively, it is always wise to check in the rear view mirror.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A snaphshot of post-WWII history -- and of Winston Churchill -- that finally gets the airing that it deserves. A wonderful, concise overview of a time and place that sets the stage for the Cold War, and the irrepresible man at the heart of that moment.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Alex Nagler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The personal story behind the Iron Curtain speech