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While England Slept: A Survey of World Affairs 1932-1938
“We should lay aside every hindrance and endeavor by uniting the whole force and spirit of our people to raise again a great British nation standing up before all the world; for such a nation, rising in its ancient vigor, can even at this hour save civilization." – Winston S. Churchill
In 1938, British statesman The Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill, a former military officer and member of the House of Commons, penned his Arms and the Covenant, published in the United States as While England Slept; a Survey of World Affairs, 1932–1938. The book is a powerful collection of his speeches warning that England was not at all prepared for the inevitability of war with Germany.
While England Slept is published here in its original classic form with the preface and notes by Churchill’s son, Randolph S. Churchill.
Churchill emphasized the United Kingdom's lack of military preparation to face the threat of Nazi Germany's Anschluss and expansion, and argued against the appeasement policies of the British government, led by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who said “Peace for our time.” The book spurred many English citizens to oppose the dovish philosophy of the Munich Agreement, and in doing so, Churchill singlehandedly changed the course of history.
Still reeling from the aftermath of the upheaval of World War I, during the 1930s, although England was moving stealthily closer to another war, the majority of the country was still not prepared militarily, economically, or emotionally; and an anti-war sentiment dominated British society. Most English citizens believed that England could not rely on its great imperial powers to protect it anymore. Moreover, no army had successfully crossed the English Channel, Britain's main natural barrier protection, since William the Conqueror in 1066.
Churchill was right and England did declare war on Germany. In 1940, Chamberlain resigned, replaced by Churchill as Prime Minister. His speeches and radio broadcasts helped cement British morale, leading to England and the Allied forces ultimate victory over Nazi Germany.
“There is no greater mistake than to suppose that platitudes, smooth words, timid policies, offer today a path to safety. Only by a firm adherence to righteous principles sustained by all the necessary “instrumentalities,” to use a famous American expression, can the dangers which close in so steadily upon us and upon the peace of Europe be warded off and overcome. That they can be overcome must be our hope and our faith.”– Winston S. Churchill
In 1938, British statesman The Rt. Hon. Winston S. Churchill, a former military officer and member of the House of Commons, penned his Arms and the Covenant, published in the United States as While England Slept; a Survey of World Affairs, 1932–1938. The book is a powerful collection of his speeches warning that England was not at all prepared for the inevitability of war with Germany.
While England Slept is published here in its original classic form with the preface and notes by Churchill’s son, Randolph S. Churchill.
Churchill emphasized the United Kingdom's lack of military preparation to face the threat of Nazi Germany's Anschluss and expansion, and argued against the appeasement policies of the British government, led by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who said “Peace for our time.” The book spurred many English citizens to oppose the dovish philosophy of the Munich Agreement, and in doing so, Churchill singlehandedly changed the course of history.
Still reeling from the aftermath of the upheaval of World War I, during the 1930s, although England was moving stealthily closer to another war, the majority of the country was still not prepared militarily, economically, or emotionally; and an anti-war sentiment dominated British society. Most English citizens believed that England could not rely on its great imperial powers to protect it anymore. Moreover, no army had successfully crossed the English Channel, Britain's main natural barrier protection, since William the Conqueror in 1066.
Churchill was right and England did declare war on Germany. In 1940, Chamberlain resigned, replaced by Churchill as Prime Minister. His speeches and radio broadcasts helped cement British morale, leading to England and the Allied forces ultimate victory over Nazi Germany.
“There is no greater mistake than to suppose that platitudes, smooth words, timid policies, offer today a path to safety. Only by a firm adherence to righteous principles sustained by all the necessary “instrumentalities,” to use a famous American expression, can the dangers which close in so steadily upon us and upon the peace of Europe be warded off and overcome. That they can be overcome must be our hope and our faith.”– Winston S. Churchill
- GenresHistory
Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2025
About the author
Winston S. Churchill
1,401 books2,525 followersSir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, politician and writer, as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955 led Great Britain, published several works, including
The Second World War
from 1948 to 1953, and then won the Nobel Prize for literature.
William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...
William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 29, 2025
There is a light amount of context given, and is assuming you know what occurred before, during, and after what is being written... also, that you are aware that Churchill had access to very accurate information in this period, from both official and unofficial sources (even if he wasn't supposed to, being on the outs with the Conservative government.) This is not a good book for anybody new to the period - you're going to have to jump to other sources to see what Churchill was referring to, and what the reaction others had to him at the time (and why -- they weren't complete bozos, even though it looks like it after the fact. Okay, Stanley Baldwin was a bozo.)
In short, this book is for the Churchill completist -- if you're starting out on Churchill, this is NOT the place to start. Come back after you've learned more about the players and the timeline.
In short, this book is for the Churchill completist -- if you're starting out on Churchill, this is NOT the place to start. Come back after you've learned more about the players and the timeline.
March 15, 2026
Inspiring Wordd
A voice of wisdom and fire in the 1930' s that needs to be read if you are a WW2 history enthusiast. Lessons learned with relevance today.
A voice of wisdom and fire in the 1930' s that needs to be read if you are a WW2 history enthusiast. Lessons learned with relevance today.
April 10, 2026
Prescient
He saw it coming, warned against it, was reviled for his stand, and was right all along.
A timely read.
He saw it coming, warned against it, was reviled for his stand, and was right all along.
A timely read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews