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Churchill and the Avoidable War: Could World War II have been Prevented?
World War II was the defining event of our age-the climactic clash between democracy and tyranny. It led to revolutions, the demise of empires, a protracted Cold War, and religious strife still not ended. Yet Churchill maintained that it was all avoidable: "If the Allies had resisted Hitler strongly in his early stages...he would have been forced to recoil." Here is a transformative view of Churchill's prescriptions, and the degree to which he pursued them in the decade before the war. It shows he was both right and wrong: right that Hitler could have been stopped; wrong that he did all he could to stop him. Could WW2 have been prevented? Yes—at one juncture in particular—but with great difficulty.
122 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2015
73 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Richard M. Langworth
86 books6 followersRichard M. Langworth was an American author who was based in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, United States, and Eleuthera, Bahamas, who specialised in automotive history and Winston Churchill. He was editor of The Packard Cormorant from 1975 to 2001 and was a Trustee of the Packard Motorcar Foundation in Detroit, Michigan. His works have won awards from the Antique Automobile Club of America, Society of Automotive Historians, Old Cars Weekly, Packard Club and Graphic Arts Association of New Hampshire.
Langworth was also author or editor of A Connoisseur's Guide to the Books of Sir Winston Churchill, Churchill in His Own Words, Churchill By Himself, and nine other books about Churchill. Langworth founded the Churchill Study Unit (1968) and served as the president of its successors the International Churchill Society and the Churchill Centre (1988–1999) and chairman of its board of trustees (2000–2006). He was editor of the Churchill journal "Finest Hour" from 1982 to 2014 and editorial consultant to the National Churchill Museum (2011–2015). From 2014 to 2025, he was a Senior Fellow for the Churchill Project at Hillsdale College. In 1998, he was created a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Elizabeth II for his services to Anglo-American understanding and history.
Langworth was also author or editor of A Connoisseur's Guide to the Books of Sir Winston Churchill, Churchill in His Own Words, Churchill By Himself, and nine other books about Churchill. Langworth founded the Churchill Study Unit (1968) and served as the president of its successors the International Churchill Society and the Churchill Centre (1988–1999) and chairman of its board of trustees (2000–2006). He was editor of the Churchill journal "Finest Hour" from 1982 to 2014 and editorial consultant to the National Churchill Museum (2011–2015). From 2014 to 2025, he was a Senior Fellow for the Churchill Project at Hillsdale College. In 1998, he was created a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Elizabeth II for his services to Anglo-American understanding and history.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2018
Really interesting read, considering what we can learn in terms of human nature. The book looks at the rise of Hitler from 1935 to 1939, and shows how meek politics of the UK and France allowed Hitler to rise, undisturbed, until it was too late.
- How the Rhineland invasion was a big bluff from Hitler. And how the West failed to retaliate, building Hitler's power and self confidence.
- How the annexation of Austria (Anschluss) was so poorly executed, yet the propaganda machine did its job very well. And how the West failed to retaliate, building Hitler's power and self confidence.
- How as late as 1938 Germany military really wasn't strong, and how the Munich agreement was yet another boost to Hitler's power and self confidence.
- How the UK refused to deal with Soviet Russia, but Hitler did.
- How stupid the concept of "menacing silence" of Chamberlain sounds.
- How vulnerable Germany was until 1939, basically.
The book reads like a management guide of negative examples. By not applying what was done during those years, you will remember that:
- A leader is supposed to do the right thing, take hard decisions, stand for what's right and to protect its own turf and people, rather than looking after popularity for an election, burring one's head in the sand hoping for a good outcome, and avoiding conflicts at all costs.
- Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This feels like what was happening from 1936 to 1939: Hitler pushes his agenda, stepping on someone's toes. No one does anything, hoping that he'll stop. Repeat until WWII starts.
- It's good to talk - talk to each other - various examples of how hard it must be to get any hard decision taken at European level, when there are so many statesmen involved, and no one leading.
- It's good to talk - talk to Russia. When you isolate someone, antagonise someone, exclude someone, don't expect to make friends. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, right?
The book does say several times that hindsight is cheap , and far too easily indulged. But it makes you wonder what impact powerful leaders in UK & France would have had on the chain of events during those years.
And those are things I hadn't thought about. So, really, a great read.
- How the Rhineland invasion was a big bluff from Hitler. And how the West failed to retaliate, building Hitler's power and self confidence.
- How the annexation of Austria (Anschluss) was so poorly executed, yet the propaganda machine did its job very well. And how the West failed to retaliate, building Hitler's power and self confidence.
- How as late as 1938 Germany military really wasn't strong, and how the Munich agreement was yet another boost to Hitler's power and self confidence.
- How the UK refused to deal with Soviet Russia, but Hitler did.
- How stupid the concept of "menacing silence" of Chamberlain sounds.
- How vulnerable Germany was until 1939, basically.
The book reads like a management guide of negative examples. By not applying what was done during those years, you will remember that:
- A leader is supposed to do the right thing, take hard decisions, stand for what's right and to protect its own turf and people, rather than looking after popularity for an election, burring one's head in the sand hoping for a good outcome, and avoiding conflicts at all costs.
- Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This feels like what was happening from 1936 to 1939: Hitler pushes his agenda, stepping on someone's toes. No one does anything, hoping that he'll stop. Repeat until WWII starts.
- It's good to talk - talk to each other - various examples of how hard it must be to get any hard decision taken at European level, when there are so many statesmen involved, and no one leading.
- It's good to talk - talk to Russia. When you isolate someone, antagonise someone, exclude someone, don't expect to make friends. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, right?
The book does say several times that hindsight is cheap , and far too easily indulged. But it makes you wonder what impact powerful leaders in UK & France would have had on the chain of events during those years.
And those are things I hadn't thought about. So, really, a great read.
April 6, 2021
An interesting collection of first hand sources from the time of the events leading up to the Second World War concluding mainly three points which may have deterred Hitler:
1. Britain should have pursued rearmament at a faster pace in the 1930s
2. America's Roosevelt was willing to offer a hand in peace negotiations which was not taken up by Britain's Neville Chamberlain.
3. There may have been an opportunity to make a peace pact with the Soviet Union, but Chamberlain did not entertain this.
It is these three factors which, had they been pursued, may have deterred Hitler's military aggressions.
1. Britain should have pursued rearmament at a faster pace in the 1930s
2. America's Roosevelt was willing to offer a hand in peace negotiations which was not taken up by Britain's Neville Chamberlain.
3. There may have been an opportunity to make a peace pact with the Soviet Union, but Chamberlain did not entertain this.
It is these three factors which, had they been pursued, may have deterred Hitler's military aggressions.
December 9, 2018
Thorough Look at the Run-up to War
Langworth presents a detailed description (200+ references) using Churchill's writings to show the numerous missed opportunities to stop Hitler. He also compares the many conflicting viewpoints of other participants.
I discovered many tidbits that made the 1930 - 1940 European political landscape more understandable.
If you are a student history then this should be a Good Read for yo.
Langworth presents a detailed description (200+ references) using Churchill's writings to show the numerous missed opportunities to stop Hitler. He also compares the many conflicting viewpoints of other participants.
I discovered many tidbits that made the 1930 - 1940 European political landscape more understandable.
If you are a student history then this should be a Good Read for yo.
July 23, 2022
Churchill, a look towards war
Although this is not an overview of many sources, it does give enough to point to greater reading. It provides a small peek into what his thoughts were. The outcome as to whether a single god act would have changed the outcome, of course, will never been. The butterfly effect cannot be determined. It was an enjoyable read.
Although this is not an overview of many sources, it does give enough to point to greater reading. It provides a small peek into what his thoughts were. The outcome as to whether a single god act would have changed the outcome, of course, will never been. The butterfly effect cannot be determined. It was an enjoyable read.
March 12, 2024
Interesting, if a little vague
If you haven't got the patience for "The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich" but are interested in the build up to World War II, then this is a good book for you. It doesn't have the depth or the definition to really give you a deep understanding of what's going on, but as a starting block it's not too bad.
If you haven't got the patience for "The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich" but are interested in the build up to World War II, then this is a good book for you. It doesn't have the depth or the definition to really give you a deep understanding of what's going on, but as a starting block it's not too bad.
June 6, 2017
Very helpful, clear and well-written
This is an interesting essay, thesis well presented. I chose this book after hearing that Churchill said WW2 had been preventable. I found that unbelievable. Now I understand.
This is an interesting essay, thesis well presented. I chose this book after hearing that Churchill said WW2 had been preventable. I found that unbelievable. Now I understand.
October 13, 2024
not to bad.
This book is ok if you have some knowledge of the event and situation of all players. Could go far more in to detail but as a quick overview, not bad. Good read and he has spent time to research the facts. Thanks Richard.
This book is ok if you have some knowledge of the event and situation of all players. Could go far more in to detail but as a quick overview, not bad. Good read and he has spent time to research the facts. Thanks Richard.
July 1, 2020
A new idea
Liked reading about some of the back stories of the 1930’s. the book certainly shows that WW2 was in Churchill’s view, the unnecessary war.
Liked reading about some of the back stories of the 1930’s. the book certainly shows that WW2 was in Churchill’s view, the unnecessary war.
October 24, 2023
Short and sweet. everything comes down to Churchill advocating earlier and faster rearmament.
July 2, 2024
Thought through book sounded interesting, and I would enjoy it but just couldn't get into it no matter how much I tried.
March 21, 2023
This book provides an in depth analysis of both Churchill’s approach to the beginning of WW2 and his attitudes towards Hitler which have previously been misconstrued in many arguments about this section of British Political history.
Favourite Quote: "It is proper to consider the lessons of the past as a guide to similar challenges now and in the future."
Favourite Quote: "It is proper to consider the lessons of the past as a guide to similar challenges now and in the future."
February 2, 2016
A fascinating appraisal of European politics in the 1930's leading up to and including World War Two. Langworth puts together a very educated and plausible argument of the possibilities that Churchill using his connections with America, France and Soviet Russia might have come together earlier and prevented Hitlers Germany from plunging Europe into a second costly war. Punchy, informative, intriguing and it throws up many 'what if' questions and arguments. A wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews