Why Britain is at War

by Harold Nicolson, Andrew Roberts (Introduction)

"If we in Great Britain are resolute and wise there will emerge from this catastrophe something which may well give hope to the world"

First published in 1939 as a Penguin Special, this is the original best-selling account of why Britain went to war with Germany. In simple terms it describes the stages of Adolf Hitler's ruthless pursuit for power, identifies his methods of deception and false diplomacy, and details his terrifying use of force that rendered peaceful negotiation increasingly difficult, and finally impossible. Shining a light on Hitler's early life and character, Harold Nicolson reveals the dictator's political theories in Mein Kampf, and explains the strategies he adopted in seizing the Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia and later Poland.

Written with clarity and insight, and read widely by soldiers during World War II, the final message of hope and peace is as relevant today as it was in 1939.

This facsimile edition includes a new introduction by Andrew Roberts, best-selling author of The Storm of War; Masters and Commanders and Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1939

About the author

Sir Harold George Nicolson KCVO CMG was an English diplomat, author, diarist and politician. He was the husband of writer Vita Sackville-West, their unusual relationship being described in their son's book, Portrait of a Marriage.

Reviews

[Joseph Langham · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in November 1939, this little penguin remarkably holds up as a useful and well-written summary of the run-up to war from somebody immersed in British politics at the time. As with any book of its era, the slight historical inaccuracies or outdated ideas are still present. The final portion, discussing the possible future of Europe, is highly revealing- nobody in 1939 could have comprehended the scale or scope of destruction that was about to unfold, or could have predicted the events which would shape the world after the war's conclusion.

[James Tidd]

This book was first published in 1939 as a Penguin Special. It is the original account of why Britain went to war with Germany. It describes the stages of Hitler's ruthless pursuit of power, identifies numerous methods of deception and false diplomacy, and details a terrifying use of force that rendered peaceful negotiation difficult and finally impossible. Nicholson discusses Hitler's political theories in Mein Kampf (My Struggle) and explains Hitler's strategies he adopted when he seized the Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland.

[Marc Maitland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book is the eminently readable account of Hitler's rise to power, a neat summary of "Mein Kampf" and the trickle-down effect of his treacherous betrayal of one European neighbour after another, culminating in his invasion of Poland on 3rd September 1939.

To our eyes, it might seem strange that such a book was ever necessary, but one has to remember the context. Written at a time, in 1939, when Britain had only just entered the war, Hitler and Stalin were still best pals, the U.S.A. was maintaining a lofty neutrality, and most countries in the European mainland were cowering in fear of occupation: most importantly in Britain there was still a huge pacifist camp, some of it led by a very good-natured if naaive Left-ward and Right-ward political leanings of opposing philosophies, and Harold Nicholson (diplomat, civil servant, politician and barrister!) was, like Churchill to an extent, still slightly in the wilderness. His book had several sell-out print-runs, and was widely acclaimed at the time. Today, it ought to be read by any student of history, and anyone who thinks that the European "ideal" that has manifested itself in the European Union is a panacea for a long-lasting peaceful future!

Nicholson's conclusions (written 6 years before the War's end) were somewhat wide of the mark, recommending a World where only the United Nations would be allowed aeroplanes (so that it can bomb any country not complying with U.N. demands!) and a United States of Europe of a sort even more integrated than the 30-year experiment that is now crumbling all around us! But, it is not his conclusions that are the best part of the book - it is his analysis of how we came to be where we were at the time (late 1939) and why it was necessary to defeat Hitler and all he stood for. Without that, we would not have the freedoms we now take for granted, and I doubt that I would be able to write this review as freely, and as critically of governments, as I have!

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read and so timely. I could see parallels between then and now when it comes to the rising fascism, and how people might be drawn to such figures. It is also a fantastic piece of history because it was written as it was happening. It is a brief book but Nicolson was in a unique position to explain and understand some of the complexities of geopolitics at that time. (and from a humor perspective, he really threw down some sick burns about Hitler.) One of the most intriguing parts was at the end when he explained that while Britain is pushed to fight out of self-preservation; that the people must avoid being self-righteous. He was not romantic about Britain's history with this sort of thing.
"We have often, as during the South African War, departed from these ideals. We have often pretended that we were pursuing moral or unselfish purposes when we were in fact pursuing predatory and selfish purposes. We have in this manner acquired a great Empire and a very general reputation for hypocrisy."
He did believe in the national character's basic sense of decency and that Hitler (to quote Dr. Rauschning) "... is a phenomenon which one slays or is slain by." And that Britain shall not be slain. Nicolson knew all the way back from the beginning that Hitler was a dangerous and shady character and kept banging the drum to get people to listen. It was definitely a case where he didn't like being right.
The other thing he spoke of was the creation of what sounds like a proto-version of the EU. That countries could retain their unique identity and much of their sovereignty while working together to create an economic and policy bloc that would benefit everyone.
He saw and experienced so much of the 20th century experiment that he words still have great meaning today.

[Christabel Britto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though written in the context of WW2, it is very relevant and illuminating in our current global socio-political and economic climate. I once read a quote that went something like : "history reminds us of where we have come from and gives us a sense of where we are headed". So much of what's going on in countries across the globe today echo similar circumstances from that time. A good read to help better understand, beyond the superficial, what's driving the actions and reactions of various governments and their people.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was written a lifetime ago, it is impossible to read it in 2026 without drawing comparisons to the global climate today. It stands as a chilling example of history repeating itself, demonstrating a tendency to dismiss looming threats out of fear or complacency. I can’t help but wonder what could have been if those who warned of the rule of law being undermined in early 1930s were taken seriously. It is horribly sad to think about what eventuated in the years after this book was published.

[Mohammad Islam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book describing how events led to start of World War 2. The book describes event until 1939 only, as that's when this book was originally written.

[Simon Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find books like this fascinating: history written during the events we always treat as happening together. This little book was written as a propaganda piece during the "Phony War" of 1939, to explain to the British people why the war was happening. The author had been a bit-player in the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of the Great War and, as with the work of William Shirer, this the writing an immediacy that it might otherwise lack -- perhaps at the cost of historical perspective. Still, it makes me want to read Peacemaking, 1919, Nicolson's memoir of the treaty-making (assuming I can find a copy).

Nicolson's observations are acute, and his description of the history of the run-up to the Second World War feels quite modern. It's interesting to see that it was possible, at that time, to make the same assessments of events as we make now. He's also gentle on Neville Chamberlain -- more so than those who followed Churchill's rather harsher model were in the immediate aftermath of the war -- and again this makes him feel more like a modern writer.

[Elliot Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant, succinct overview of the foreign policy of Nazi Germany prior to the war. Loses his way slightly toward the end but this is understandable as he was writing at the beginning of the war and ensuring that Britain understands what they are fighting for and against.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in the Britsh story of WW2.