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Six Minutes in May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister
London, early May 1940: Britain is at war and Neville Chamberlain’s government is about to fall. It is hard for us to imagine the Second World War without Winston Churchill taking over at the helm, but in Six Minutes in May Nicholas Shakespeare shows how easily events could have gone in a different direction.
The first land battle of the war was fought in the far north, in Norway. It went disastrously for the Allies and many blamed Churchill. Yet weeks later he would rise to the most powerful post in the country, overtaking Chamberlain and the favourite to succeed him, Lord Halifax.
It took just six minutes for MPs to cast the votes that brought down Chamberlain. Shakespeare shows us both the dramatic action on the battlefield in Norway and the machinations and personal relationships in Westminster that led up to this crucial point. Uncovering fascinating new research and delving deep into the backgrounds of the key players, he has given us a new perspective on this critical moment in our history.
The first land battle of the war was fought in the far north, in Norway. It went disastrously for the Allies and many blamed Churchill. Yet weeks later he would rise to the most powerful post in the country, overtaking Chamberlain and the favourite to succeed him, Lord Halifax.
It took just six minutes for MPs to cast the votes that brought down Chamberlain. Shakespeare shows us both the dramatic action on the battlefield in Norway and the machinations and personal relationships in Westminster that led up to this crucial point. Uncovering fascinating new research and delving deep into the backgrounds of the key players, he has given us a new perspective on this critical moment in our history.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2017
125 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Shakespeare
38 books110 followersNicholas William Richmond Shakespeare is a English novelist and biographer.
Born to a diplomat, Nicholas Shakespeare grew up in the Far East and in South America. He was educated at the Dragon School preparatory school in Oxford, then at Winchester College and at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He worked as a journalist for BBC television and then on The Times as assistant arts and literary editor. From 1988 to 1991 he was literary editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.
Since 2000, Shakespeare has been Patron of the Anita Goulden Trust, helping children in the Peruvian city of Piura. The UK-based charity was set up following an article that Shakespeare wrote for the Daily Telegraph magazine, which raised more than £350,000.
He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He is married with two small boys and currently lives in Oxford.
Born to a diplomat, Nicholas Shakespeare grew up in the Far East and in South America. He was educated at the Dragon School preparatory school in Oxford, then at Winchester College and at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He worked as a journalist for BBC television and then on The Times as assistant arts and literary editor. From 1988 to 1991 he was literary editor of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.
Since 2000, Shakespeare has been Patron of the Anita Goulden Trust, helping children in the Peruvian city of Piura. The UK-based charity was set up following an article that Shakespeare wrote for the Daily Telegraph magazine, which raised more than £350,000.
He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He is married with two small boys and currently lives in Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 20, 2018
It is easy for us to look back at history and make assumptions about what happened and why. With the benefit of hindsight, it seems pre-destined that Winston Churchill would lead the country during the Second World War. However, as anyone who knows anything about that period of history is aware, it was anything but certain that he would become Prime Minister. This is an extremely well written account of how, and why, Neville Chamberlain was ousted and how a Minister, who advocated, planned and directed one of the most disastrous campaigns since the Crimean War become Prime Minister.
Indeed, much of the beginning of this book revolves around the Norway Campaign. Of course, as Nicholas Shakespeare, points out, the personal affects those in power, every bit as much as the major, political events. Indeed, throughout this book he points out all the fascinating personal facts about the characters within these pages, which highlight more than any speech what is actually going on in their lives. So, we have Halifax, for example, vanishing to the dentist on the day that many expected he would be called to make a government; as well as the revealing letters he wrote to Baba Metcalfe with whom he may, or may not, have been having an affair. In terms of Norway, Giles Romilly, Clementine Churchill’s nephew, became the first civilian made a prisoner of war, which made events much more personal for Winston Churchill, who was very close to Giles and his brother.
Events in Norway were so disastrous that it seemed that the government might fall – including Churchill. It was a time of uncertainty and disaster, with Germany marching across Europe and the possibility of invasion a real threat. However, nobody really thought that the Norway Debate would lead to a loss of confidence in the War Cabinet, which would lead to Chamberlain being replaced. Even with the possibility of invasion, in the weekend before the debate, Ministers were still heading for their country retreats. The Norway fiasco was supposed to have diminished Churchill’s chances of assuming the leadership, which was supposed to be offered to Halifax. Even though, as it turned out, Halifax was not at all keen to accept. Still, on the eve of the Norway Debate, Churchill was isolated, tired and unpopular in Cabinet and with the King.
The debate, when it happened, was devastating for Neville Chamberlain. We have Leo Amery’s famous speech, Lloyd George’s words in the House the next day, huge tension – especially among Tory MP’s – and, even after so much time, you can feel the nerves, the sense of intrigue and the whispers in the corridors. The aftermath saw Chamberlain hoping to cling on, but, when the Labour Party made it clear they had no confidence in him, it seemed he could not be saved. Still, when Germany invaded the Low Countries, it seemed to Chamberlain as though this was not the time for change.
With renewed danger, political in-fighting ceased. As Holland and Belgium were invaded, Churchill enjoyed bacon and eggs and a cigar. Asked about becoming Prime Minister, he declared, “Nothing matters now except beating the enemy.” Still, it was obvious that the Cabinet were confused at unfolding events and Churchill gave waiting reporters the fairly useless (but quite amusing) report that, “Plenty happened last night and something is happening today,” as he left Downing Street – presumably with a spring in his step. Did Hitler act after the Norway Debate to try to keep Chamberlain as Prime Minister? It is hard to say, but still, as Britain faced the greatest danger, as the author states, since 1066, not one Minister was too busy for lunch…
This book tells of a time of treachery, frustration and betrayal. It clearly shows the massive political events of the time, alongside the personal and the private. We have Chamberlain’s letters to his sisters, Churchill’s missing his wife, as she was at the funeral of Giles Romilly’s father during the debate, Halifax’s reliance on Baba Metcalfe, those who wished to gain power and prestige and those who desired to avoid it. At the centre of everything is Churchill – derided, disliked, by some, championed by others… Undoubtedly, he was more the man for the situation than Chamberlain. A man who desired peace, replaced by a man who was at his most alive in a time of war. This book tells how that man become the leader that was needed and how it happened, against all odds.
Indeed, much of the beginning of this book revolves around the Norway Campaign. Of course, as Nicholas Shakespeare, points out, the personal affects those in power, every bit as much as the major, political events. Indeed, throughout this book he points out all the fascinating personal facts about the characters within these pages, which highlight more than any speech what is actually going on in their lives. So, we have Halifax, for example, vanishing to the dentist on the day that many expected he would be called to make a government; as well as the revealing letters he wrote to Baba Metcalfe with whom he may, or may not, have been having an affair. In terms of Norway, Giles Romilly, Clementine Churchill’s nephew, became the first civilian made a prisoner of war, which made events much more personal for Winston Churchill, who was very close to Giles and his brother.
Events in Norway were so disastrous that it seemed that the government might fall – including Churchill. It was a time of uncertainty and disaster, with Germany marching across Europe and the possibility of invasion a real threat. However, nobody really thought that the Norway Debate would lead to a loss of confidence in the War Cabinet, which would lead to Chamberlain being replaced. Even with the possibility of invasion, in the weekend before the debate, Ministers were still heading for their country retreats. The Norway fiasco was supposed to have diminished Churchill’s chances of assuming the leadership, which was supposed to be offered to Halifax. Even though, as it turned out, Halifax was not at all keen to accept. Still, on the eve of the Norway Debate, Churchill was isolated, tired and unpopular in Cabinet and with the King.
The debate, when it happened, was devastating for Neville Chamberlain. We have Leo Amery’s famous speech, Lloyd George’s words in the House the next day, huge tension – especially among Tory MP’s – and, even after so much time, you can feel the nerves, the sense of intrigue and the whispers in the corridors. The aftermath saw Chamberlain hoping to cling on, but, when the Labour Party made it clear they had no confidence in him, it seemed he could not be saved. Still, when Germany invaded the Low Countries, it seemed to Chamberlain as though this was not the time for change.
With renewed danger, political in-fighting ceased. As Holland and Belgium were invaded, Churchill enjoyed bacon and eggs and a cigar. Asked about becoming Prime Minister, he declared, “Nothing matters now except beating the enemy.” Still, it was obvious that the Cabinet were confused at unfolding events and Churchill gave waiting reporters the fairly useless (but quite amusing) report that, “Plenty happened last night and something is happening today,” as he left Downing Street – presumably with a spring in his step. Did Hitler act after the Norway Debate to try to keep Chamberlain as Prime Minister? It is hard to say, but still, as Britain faced the greatest danger, as the author states, since 1066, not one Minister was too busy for lunch…
This book tells of a time of treachery, frustration and betrayal. It clearly shows the massive political events of the time, alongside the personal and the private. We have Chamberlain’s letters to his sisters, Churchill’s missing his wife, as she was at the funeral of Giles Romilly’s father during the debate, Halifax’s reliance on Baba Metcalfe, those who wished to gain power and prestige and those who desired to avoid it. At the centre of everything is Churchill – derided, disliked, by some, championed by others… Undoubtedly, he was more the man for the situation than Chamberlain. A man who desired peace, replaced by a man who was at his most alive in a time of war. This book tells how that man become the leader that was needed and how it happened, against all odds.
January 17, 2018
An account of how Churchill came to be Prime Minister told through quality writing presented in a very readable style. I'm not sure Churchill won the position totally on merit, but rather by being the next best in a poor bunch. The book certainly showed that the Cabinet seemed to be totally unaware of the potential dangers as they contentedly went about their socialising. So perhaps I shouldn't be surprised at the same apparent ignorance of their enemy and their capabilities repeatedly shown on the battlefields.
September 25, 2017
This book is supposed to give the true account of how Churchill became prime minister, after leading the disastrous military campaign in Norway. It is an backstage narrative, trying to reconstruct conversations and exchanges between the main political actors. It does not really answer the question, but the way the author writes is outstanding. In the end, I sympathise more with Chamberlain and I am more aware of Churchill's flaws as a military commander.
April 23, 2018
A fascinating account of how Winston Churchill "unexpectedly" became Prime Minister of Great Britain taking over from Neville Chamberlain and Chamberlain's preferred man for the post, the then Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax.
In the midst of the unmitigated disaster that was Britain's first land battle of the war with Germany, in Norway, politicians of various parties mixed with the country's upper class to engineer the Chamberlain's downfall, seeing him as the arch appeaser who had allowed Hitler to increase Germany's military might and expand Germany's territory into the Sudetenland leading to the occupation of Czechoslovakia and subsequent invasion of Poland. This was despite the fact that over the past few years, Chamberlain had overseen a rise in Britain's annual military spending to between 45 and 50 per cent of GDP!
Although Churchill was the instigator of the Norway Campaign, when the matter was debated in Parliament, it was Chamberlain who was saddled with the blame. The opposition Labour Party called for a vote of no confidence in the Conservative government which won the vote but with a greatly reduced majority, making Chamberlain's leadership untenable.
It took only six minutes for MPs to cast the votes that brought down Chamberlain, although Churchill was by no means the popular choice to succeed him. His complete mishandling of the battles in Norway echoed one of his previous military disasters - the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War.
Yet somehow, with aid of various major and minor politicial figures and members of the British establishment, Churchill sidelined Chamberlain’s chosen successor, Halifax. He overcame the distrust of many within his own party and even managed to get the Labour Party leaders, who had long considered him an enemy, to back him.
Almost grudgingly, King George VI invited Churchill to form a new government. The rest, as they say, is history.
The book's action switches from the various battles, on land and sea, in and around Norway and the subsequent political machinations (with much backstabbing amid the wheelings and dealings in and out of the House of Commons, much of it in bars and restaurants) that surrounded Churchill's rise to power.
The book's only fault is that, on occasion, it goes into far too much detail on the lives of various characters - the worst being the many pages spent detailing the romantic entanglement of Lord Halifax with Lady Alexandra ‘Baba’ Metcalfe. Otherwise, it is a terrific read, with one final poignant note. To its shame, Britain has tried to airbrush the Norway Campaign out of history and, to this day no campaign medal has ever been received by the soldiers and sailors who fought and died in Britain's first land battle of the 2nd World War.
.
In the midst of the unmitigated disaster that was Britain's first land battle of the war with Germany, in Norway, politicians of various parties mixed with the country's upper class to engineer the Chamberlain's downfall, seeing him as the arch appeaser who had allowed Hitler to increase Germany's military might and expand Germany's territory into the Sudetenland leading to the occupation of Czechoslovakia and subsequent invasion of Poland. This was despite the fact that over the past few years, Chamberlain had overseen a rise in Britain's annual military spending to between 45 and 50 per cent of GDP!
Although Churchill was the instigator of the Norway Campaign, when the matter was debated in Parliament, it was Chamberlain who was saddled with the blame. The opposition Labour Party called for a vote of no confidence in the Conservative government which won the vote but with a greatly reduced majority, making Chamberlain's leadership untenable.
It took only six minutes for MPs to cast the votes that brought down Chamberlain, although Churchill was by no means the popular choice to succeed him. His complete mishandling of the battles in Norway echoed one of his previous military disasters - the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War.
Yet somehow, with aid of various major and minor politicial figures and members of the British establishment, Churchill sidelined Chamberlain’s chosen successor, Halifax. He overcame the distrust of many within his own party and even managed to get the Labour Party leaders, who had long considered him an enemy, to back him.
Almost grudgingly, King George VI invited Churchill to form a new government. The rest, as they say, is history.
The book's action switches from the various battles, on land and sea, in and around Norway and the subsequent political machinations (with much backstabbing amid the wheelings and dealings in and out of the House of Commons, much of it in bars and restaurants) that surrounded Churchill's rise to power.
The book's only fault is that, on occasion, it goes into far too much detail on the lives of various characters - the worst being the many pages spent detailing the romantic entanglement of Lord Halifax with Lady Alexandra ‘Baba’ Metcalfe. Otherwise, it is a terrific read, with one final poignant note. To its shame, Britain has tried to airbrush the Norway Campaign out of history and, to this day no campaign medal has ever been received by the soldiers and sailors who fought and died in Britain's first land battle of the 2nd World War.
.
April 17, 2018
Given the success of the move, Darkest Hour, I have been reading quite a lot from this period, and Six Minutes in May is a worthy addition. It follows the action in Parliament and on the battlefields of Norway that led to Churchill becoming Prime Minister. It is a fascinating account of the players involved - both major and minor - and really takes the reader to the heart of the issues. Often, history can seem rather detached but this kind of book - when it's well done, as this one is - brings us into the personal space of the characters and let's us appreciate their challenges. I am going to stick with this period because my next book is Munich, Robert Harris's latest. Watch this space.
abandoned
February 27, 2018So. many. names. The author is dropping names and irrelevant minutiae at such a rate, it's hard to keep the relevant details straight. it's 600+ pages of "here's every teeny, tiny little thing I dug up about this time in history and the people (all of the people - no mater how tangential their impact or relationship to the said time) involved in it. I'm sure there's an interesting read in there - somewhere.
July 23, 2018
The selection of Winston Churchill as Neville Chamberlain's successor in May 1940 is regarded today as one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century. With his elevation to the premiership Britain was committed to a course of action in the Second World War that ended with victory over Nazi Germany. Given his role in the Allied triumph and subsequent anointing as the greatest Briton ever, such a choice can be perceived as inevitable. Yet was it?
One of the great merits of Nicholas Shakespeare's account of the events surrounding the decision is in his detailing the views of the key actors in the spring of 1940 and the choices available to them. In the process, not only does he demonstrate that Churchill's selection was far from ordained, but he also shows that it was more than a simple choice between Churchill and Lord Halifax traditionally described in most accounts of the event. As Shakespeare explains, ministers and Members of Parliament had several alternatives available to them. For many of them, Churchill was an unacceptable choice for the top post given his recklessness and adventurism, while others seemed much more appealing candidates. Even the very notion that Chamberlain needed to be replaced because of the military debacle in Norway the month before was not generally accepted, and only emerged over the course of the "Norway debate" and the subsequent division that exposed the weakness of Chamberlain's support.
To detail the events of May 1940 and uncover the thinking of the various people involved Shakespeare went beyond the traditional accounts in memoirs and biographies and undertook additional archival research and interviews. This he knits together in a narrative to which he brings all his skills as a novelist, making for an account that is highly engaging. By comparing the at times conflicting accounts and retrospective explanations, he has produced a very detailed description of how it came down in the end to Churchill. Yet it is also an incredibly chummy account, almost exclusively focused upon the actions and decisions of a select group of elite men (and even a couple of women). While this is understandable given the small circle of people in politics and media at the time, the weaknesses in this approach are more evident in the account of the Norway disaster that precedes it. Given its importance to the events that followed Shakespeare spends a third of the book describing its failings, yet his account of events concentrates on the experiences of key officers and government officials, creating the impression that it was merely their personal experiences which drove their objections to Chamberlain rather than the broader defeat that informed their criticisms of his handling of the war.
By narrowing his focus to a group of elite figures (one that includes his own uncle), Shakespeare trivializes the motivations of many of the men involved in the decision to turn out Chamberlain. It's a glaring flaw in what is in many respects an excellent book, one that details the chain of events that would define the course of world history. It is especially unfortunate, given that Shakespeare's extensive research and ability as a writer have produced what is the best account yet of how Churchill became prime minister in those fateful weeks in the spring of 1940. Its weaknesses, however, cause it to fall short of the definitive account it could have been with just a broadening of its scope.
One of the great merits of Nicholas Shakespeare's account of the events surrounding the decision is in his detailing the views of the key actors in the spring of 1940 and the choices available to them. In the process, not only does he demonstrate that Churchill's selection was far from ordained, but he also shows that it was more than a simple choice between Churchill and Lord Halifax traditionally described in most accounts of the event. As Shakespeare explains, ministers and Members of Parliament had several alternatives available to them. For many of them, Churchill was an unacceptable choice for the top post given his recklessness and adventurism, while others seemed much more appealing candidates. Even the very notion that Chamberlain needed to be replaced because of the military debacle in Norway the month before was not generally accepted, and only emerged over the course of the "Norway debate" and the subsequent division that exposed the weakness of Chamberlain's support.
To detail the events of May 1940 and uncover the thinking of the various people involved Shakespeare went beyond the traditional accounts in memoirs and biographies and undertook additional archival research and interviews. This he knits together in a narrative to which he brings all his skills as a novelist, making for an account that is highly engaging. By comparing the at times conflicting accounts and retrospective explanations, he has produced a very detailed description of how it came down in the end to Churchill. Yet it is also an incredibly chummy account, almost exclusively focused upon the actions and decisions of a select group of elite men (and even a couple of women). While this is understandable given the small circle of people in politics and media at the time, the weaknesses in this approach are more evident in the account of the Norway disaster that precedes it. Given its importance to the events that followed Shakespeare spends a third of the book describing its failings, yet his account of events concentrates on the experiences of key officers and government officials, creating the impression that it was merely their personal experiences which drove their objections to Chamberlain rather than the broader defeat that informed their criticisms of his handling of the war.
By narrowing his focus to a group of elite figures (one that includes his own uncle), Shakespeare trivializes the motivations of many of the men involved in the decision to turn out Chamberlain. It's a glaring flaw in what is in many respects an excellent book, one that details the chain of events that would define the course of world history. It is especially unfortunate, given that Shakespeare's extensive research and ability as a writer have produced what is the best account yet of how Churchill became prime minister in those fateful weeks in the spring of 1940. Its weaknesses, however, cause it to fall short of the definitive account it could have been with just a broadening of its scope.
April 1, 2018
This is a fascinating account of the fall of Neville Chamberlain and the accession of Churchill as Prime Minister. For me, rather too much of the book is devoted to the utter incompetence of the British response to the German invasion of Norway and Denmark. It is an essential component of the story but it could have been usefully condensed. The author’s disregard for Churchill’s capability is made clear and much evidence is cited. The illustrations are poorly presented and there are some errors in the text. However, the book is well worth reading as a substantial addition to the history of the time.
March 7, 2018
Factually interesting yet narratively it failed to grip. I can't help but feel that this could have been done so much better.
September 10, 2020
“Norway was Winston’s adventure, and poor Neville was blamed for it.”
- Chipps Channon MP, 11 May 1940
The quote above perfectly encapsulates the essence of this book. In 1940, The British isle was at the threat of being invaded by Nazi Germany. The naive appeaser Neville Chamberlain was finally toppled by Winston Churchill, who went to be the Greatest Briton Ever, or so it seemed to be.
In fact, the reality behind that was much more complex. This book tries to dispel the myth behind Churchill’s ascension, a myth that most of it is propagated by Churchill through his self-aggrandizing memoirs, and to rehabilitate Chamberlain’s reputation, which far from a naive, appeasing, hapless buffoon he is in popular perception today, he was an astute political operator, who stubbornly, and capably, clung to power, earning him a nickname, The Old Limpet.
Churchill himself though, was far from being the number one candidate for the next PM at the beginning. A former Liberal who crossed over to the Conservative, he once served as Home Secretary, in which capacity he was responsible for heavy-handed response to Tonypandy Riots in 1910-1911, then, during World War I, as First Sea Lord, he had a hand in Entente’s catastrophic Gallipoli Campaign. Then as Chancellor, he presided over Britain’s post-war economic policy of returning to the gold standard, which became the catalyst of Britain’s economic depression. His hostility to leftists also earning him Labour party’s enmity, whose support was needed in forming a wartime national government.
Because of Churchill’s mixed record, Chamberlain, and indeed everybody else, never considered him as future PM. That honor falls to Edward Wood, Lord Halifax, Chamberlain’s foreign secretary. However, ironically, Churchill had a hand in nailing first nail in Chamberlain coffin. Probably fueled by personal motive (saving his nephew, the author guessed), Churchill approved the disastrous, ill-prepared, invasion of Norway, which ended up in forgotten section of British military history. However, who was blamed for it? You guessed it right, it was Chamberlain. Yet, after that military catastrophe, Chamberlain still maintained control on Parliament, like an all-reaching octopus.
It fell to the unlikely duo of Leo Amery MP of the Tory and Clement Davies of the Liberal to change that. Forming the All Party Action Group, they seek to push for Churchill’s premiership, and Amery’s condemnation of Chamberlain, “in the name of God, Go!”, set the whole thing in motion. Most amazingly, after enduring such attacks Chamberlain remained firm in his belief of holding onto power, or at least, handing over to his preferred successor, Halifax.
While this is the story about Churchill’s ascendancy to premiership. What fascinate me the most is the previously unknown aspects of Chamberlain’s life which became known to me through this book. A quiet, unassuming and reclusive man, he left few, if any, memoirs, which stood against his importance during one of trying times in the history of Britain. Biographic books about him mostly painted him in negative lights, since they can rely on secondary sources such as boatload of Churchill memoirs and autobiographies. In the end, all I can say is that Chamberlain met his end not in Munich, but in fjords of Norway.
- Chipps Channon MP, 11 May 1940
The quote above perfectly encapsulates the essence of this book. In 1940, The British isle was at the threat of being invaded by Nazi Germany. The naive appeaser Neville Chamberlain was finally toppled by Winston Churchill, who went to be the Greatest Briton Ever, or so it seemed to be.
In fact, the reality behind that was much more complex. This book tries to dispel the myth behind Churchill’s ascension, a myth that most of it is propagated by Churchill through his self-aggrandizing memoirs, and to rehabilitate Chamberlain’s reputation, which far from a naive, appeasing, hapless buffoon he is in popular perception today, he was an astute political operator, who stubbornly, and capably, clung to power, earning him a nickname, The Old Limpet.
Churchill himself though, was far from being the number one candidate for the next PM at the beginning. A former Liberal who crossed over to the Conservative, he once served as Home Secretary, in which capacity he was responsible for heavy-handed response to Tonypandy Riots in 1910-1911, then, during World War I, as First Sea Lord, he had a hand in Entente’s catastrophic Gallipoli Campaign. Then as Chancellor, he presided over Britain’s post-war economic policy of returning to the gold standard, which became the catalyst of Britain’s economic depression. His hostility to leftists also earning him Labour party’s enmity, whose support was needed in forming a wartime national government.
Because of Churchill’s mixed record, Chamberlain, and indeed everybody else, never considered him as future PM. That honor falls to Edward Wood, Lord Halifax, Chamberlain’s foreign secretary. However, ironically, Churchill had a hand in nailing first nail in Chamberlain coffin. Probably fueled by personal motive (saving his nephew, the author guessed), Churchill approved the disastrous, ill-prepared, invasion of Norway, which ended up in forgotten section of British military history. However, who was blamed for it? You guessed it right, it was Chamberlain. Yet, after that military catastrophe, Chamberlain still maintained control on Parliament, like an all-reaching octopus.
It fell to the unlikely duo of Leo Amery MP of the Tory and Clement Davies of the Liberal to change that. Forming the All Party Action Group, they seek to push for Churchill’s premiership, and Amery’s condemnation of Chamberlain, “in the name of God, Go!”, set the whole thing in motion. Most amazingly, after enduring such attacks Chamberlain remained firm in his belief of holding onto power, or at least, handing over to his preferred successor, Halifax.
While this is the story about Churchill’s ascendancy to premiership. What fascinate me the most is the previously unknown aspects of Chamberlain’s life which became known to me through this book. A quiet, unassuming and reclusive man, he left few, if any, memoirs, which stood against his importance during one of trying times in the history of Britain. Biographic books about him mostly painted him in negative lights, since they can rely on secondary sources such as boatload of Churchill memoirs and autobiographies. In the end, all I can say is that Chamberlain met his end not in Munich, but in fjords of Norway.
January 15, 2021
A very interesting account of the British side at the start of the Second World War, both politically and at the front.
The story is written in very good readable prose and use of language, which almost gives it the feeling of a work of fiction. If you are not (modestly) interested in history of the 2nd WW or Britain, then this book is not for you.
The story is written in very good readable prose and use of language, which almost gives it the feeling of a work of fiction. If you are not (modestly) interested in history of the 2nd WW or Britain, then this book is not for you.
June 6, 2023
Overrated
August 28, 2020
In depth and fascinating account of the circumstances of Churchill becoming Prime Minister. Momentous political history that was in no way a foregone conclusion following Churchill’s disastrous preceding of the Norway retreat after being utterly unprepared and equipped to deal with German aggression. An excellent account for those who like the fine detail of political history and in particular WWII history
October 14, 2018
Truly excellent book which for once gives some colour and genuine character to Neville Chamberlain so often given a one dimensional appraisal as the grey naive man who underestimated or worse appeased the little corporal and plunged Britain into war with initally disastrous results until in rode cigar chomping champagne guzzling -- after copious amounts of other alcoholic beverages during the day -- Winston.....to take over the leadership and prove himself a great war leader. However, this outstanding tome gives a fascinating insight into the intrigues that led to that outcome with delightful anecdotes and portraits of Chamberlain (or unfairly nicknamed 'J'aimeBerlin) whose demands for a huge increase in aircraft production is so often overlooked and were the seeds of the glorious boys in blue who prevailed in the Battle of Britain WC -- whose whole catastrophic Norwegian adventure -- a second Gallipoli -- plunged the government into the mess that ironically resulted in Chamberlain being replaced by him -- much to the horror of generals and MPs of all sides of the House of Commons -- and Lord Halifax, the man who almost everyone including King George VI -- he allowed Halifax the keys to Buckingham Palace gardens -- wanted as NC's replacement ..except the man himself who as Shakespeare implies did not wish to play second fiddle to Churchill just as Bonar Law did not wish to fill the same role to another giant of the Commons Lloyd George in the First World War. Incredibly the latter was even thought of as a potential replacement for Chamberlain -- who he hated -- but if there was ever an appeaser or a man who courted Hitler it was him and as the author points out aside from his age would have been an appalling choice. The debate itself in the HOC features oratory of varying degrees but definitely of a higher order than you would get today...strikingly there are over 50 MPs who are there in uniform having signed up for duty. Leo Amery (Tory) and Clement Davies (Liberal) come across extremely well though the former does not let sentiment reign in laying into Chamberlain -- 'In the name of God go!' -- despite being godfather to the latter's son and having been helped to win his neighbouring Birmingham seat by the PM. On the negative side of poor behaviour is that displayed by anti Chamberlain Tory MP and future PM Harold MacMillan whose antics post the vote in the Chamber are a disgrace. There is no statue of NC today -- not even on his fiefdom of Birmingham -- there never was with the only one proposed bizarrely in Portugal but it never was constructed. This for me is the factual book of the year it makes the pygmies in the HOC today even less impressive and their debate on the Brexit deal when it comes will yes be important but the level of oratory will not be of a level required for such a momentous piece of legislation -- at least those in 1940 rose to the challenge. I finish this rather long winded review -- quelle surprise -- with the touching tribute paid by the author to Chamberlain. It arose from his funeral in 1940: "One mourner noticed with concern that the congregation was singing 'the chief hymn to the wrong tune'. Chamberlain's public image has been out of key with his private persona ever since."
June 12, 2020
Engagingly written, the writer strikes an excellent balance between history and story-telling.
Setting the scene, we learn about the Norway campaign of 1940, it's significance, and history's continual neglect of it. One thing the writer emphasises is that a medal has never been commissioned for this particular campaign.
As was to be expected, the title 'six minutes in may' was a huge dramatisation. In spite of this, the writer beautifully explains how Churchill was by no means destined for the premiership.
The highlight of this book is the insight into the characters surrounding government at this time. The exploration of Halifax was particularly enjoyable. As of course was that of Neville Chamberlain, whose characterisation by school is simply as a man of appeasement.
Anyone who appreciates the figures that history has forgotten about or misrepresented will appreciate this book.
Setting the scene, we learn about the Norway campaign of 1940, it's significance, and history's continual neglect of it. One thing the writer emphasises is that a medal has never been commissioned for this particular campaign.
As was to be expected, the title 'six minutes in may' was a huge dramatisation. In spite of this, the writer beautifully explains how Churchill was by no means destined for the premiership.
The highlight of this book is the insight into the characters surrounding government at this time. The exploration of Halifax was particularly enjoyable. As of course was that of Neville Chamberlain, whose characterisation by school is simply as a man of appeasement.
Anyone who appreciates the figures that history has forgotten about or misrepresented will appreciate this book.
January 16, 2022
English novelist Nicholas Shakespeare turned his skills to history in 2017 when Six Minutes in May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister was published.
Six Minutes is a fascinating account of the events immediately preceding Churchill's elevation at a time when many in government were supporting Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax to replace Prime Minister Chamberlain. Six minutes refers to the time taken to vote on a no confidence motion against the government in the House of Commons on 9 May 1940, after two days of intense debate on the government's capability to successfully manage war against the Germans. Churchill became Prime Minister the following day.
The trigger for replacement was the government's widely recognized mishandling of Britain's first major engagement of the Second World War, viz., the attempt in April and May 1940 to occupy key ports and cities in Norway that were crucial for the supply of iron ore from Sweden for German steel production that underpinned the latter's war effort. Norway's geographic significance for controlling shipping in the North Atlantic, and as an airbase closer to British targets than bases in Germany, were also longer term factors.
Oddly, much of the failure of the Norwegian campaign could be attributed to Churchill in his role as First Lord of the Admiralty (comparable to his disastrous handling of the Dardenelles/Gallipoli campaign in 1915 in WW1, intended to knock the Ottoman Empire out of that global conflict).
Nevertheless, Chamberlain attracted much of the opprobrium for the failures in Norway (troops under provisioned, dithering on key targets and attack dates, and the crippling lack of an air strategy comparable to the strategically superior Germans), in what was a major development that ended the so-called 'phony war' after hostilities were declared in September 1939. Germany launched its invasion of Holland, Belgium, and France on 10 May, necessitating the withdrawal of Allied troops and armaments from Norway, to defend against the almost certain imminent invasion of Britain.
Oddly, Churchill is a shadowy background figure in the book. Shakespeare focuses initially on the detail of the Norway campaign, and then the no confidence debate (technically an adjournment debate, but one that was used to marshall overwhelming dissatisfaction with Chamberlain's prime ministership).
As noted in the book, the Norwegian campaign has largely slipped from popular memory, and Chamberlain's reputation has never recovered from the perceived timidity and naivety of the 'peace in our time' appeasement after his Munich meeting with Hitler in September 1938, which agreed to German occupation of the Czech borderlands in return for Hitler's avowal that he had no further territorial ambitions.
Shakespeare provides a rivetingly detailed account of the war in the Norwegian theatre, noting many failures of oversight despite strong and spirited commitments by navy and army troops. Sadly, the campaign remains one which has not been formally recognized in the official decorations for WW11 troops, much to the chagrin and despair of its surviving fighters and the families of the dead.
However, dissatisfaction with the Norway campaign intensified the no confidence debate. Chamberlain knew the Labour Party would no longer support his leadership under a proposed coalition government. He promoted Lord Halifax as the obvious candidate, not only because of perceived abilities, but also to block Churchill's obvious ambitions. In the latter, Chamberlain was strongly supported by key figures in the government (and King George VI, who emerges as a not insignificant player in this drama, and who seemingly had no faith in Churchill's abilities).
Part of Shakespeare's intent in this book seems to be the rehabilitation of Chamberlain's reputation. The Prime Minister emerges as a man of considerable strength and honour, and one who worked diligently to rearm Britain in the late 1930s, dedicating over 40 per cent of GDP to the task in the two years prior to the war. The failure to rearm earlier was a massive loss of will and realism during the 1930s, when Churchill almost alone was drawing attention to the monstrous threat of Nazi Germany.
Churchill's perceptiveness in this regard garnered him considerable public popularity, despite the reservations of those within government, and ensured that he emerged as the obvious wartime leader when Chamberlain resigned (Chamberlain did not lose the no confidence vote, but sufficient numbers of his parliamentary majority of 213 crossed the floor, despite a three line whip, i.e., compulsory support, to make his position untenable).
Much of the tension in this highly readable account of events in early May 1940 derives from Shakespeare's investigation of Lord Halifax's credentials as Chamberlain's successor, and the various attempts by key players to thwart Chuchill.
Halifax's position in the House of Lords was problematic, but not an insuperable impediment to good governance. Halifax, however, was beset by doubts about his capacity to manage a wartime government, and seemed to believe that Churchill was the better man for the task (though some speculate he may have wanted Churchill to fail, and to then step in as the obvious guardian of the war effort). He was also deeply engaged emotionally with Lady Alexandra 'Baba' Metcalfe, a major socialite of the time, and seemed not to want to compromise the affair in any way.
Chamberlain, Halifax, and Churchill met on 10 May to resolve the succession. Halifax deferred to Churchill, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Most histories of the period focus on the enormous challenges faced by Churchill in the weeks immediately after his appointment as Prime Minister, when invasion was likely, and which resulted in the Battle of Dunkirk and eventual evacuation in late May-early June 1940. Not until Hitler made the gross error of opening a second war front in the East, and the United States entered the war after the Pearl Harbour attack in December 1941, did victory for Britain under Churchill's leadership seem remotely likely, despite his immense gift for inspiring the British in the perilous years of 1940 and 1941 (as many have noted, WW11 was won by a combination of Russian dead and American resources).
Six Minutes in May provides an enthralling, and almost novelistic, account of the largely forgotten days immediately preceding Churchill's Prime Ministership, and injects a degree of realism into the often quite adulatory treatment of Churchill. As an aside, Shakespeare's uncle, Geoffrey Shakespeare, was a National Liberal MP at the time of the events in the book, and was a Parliamentary Secretary in various portfolios from 1932 to 1942. 'Uncle Geoffrey' features occasionally in the book.
Six Minutes is a fascinating account of the events immediately preceding Churchill's elevation at a time when many in government were supporting Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax to replace Prime Minister Chamberlain. Six minutes refers to the time taken to vote on a no confidence motion against the government in the House of Commons on 9 May 1940, after two days of intense debate on the government's capability to successfully manage war against the Germans. Churchill became Prime Minister the following day.
The trigger for replacement was the government's widely recognized mishandling of Britain's first major engagement of the Second World War, viz., the attempt in April and May 1940 to occupy key ports and cities in Norway that were crucial for the supply of iron ore from Sweden for German steel production that underpinned the latter's war effort. Norway's geographic significance for controlling shipping in the North Atlantic, and as an airbase closer to British targets than bases in Germany, were also longer term factors.
Oddly, much of the failure of the Norwegian campaign could be attributed to Churchill in his role as First Lord of the Admiralty (comparable to his disastrous handling of the Dardenelles/Gallipoli campaign in 1915 in WW1, intended to knock the Ottoman Empire out of that global conflict).
Nevertheless, Chamberlain attracted much of the opprobrium for the failures in Norway (troops under provisioned, dithering on key targets and attack dates, and the crippling lack of an air strategy comparable to the strategically superior Germans), in what was a major development that ended the so-called 'phony war' after hostilities were declared in September 1939. Germany launched its invasion of Holland, Belgium, and France on 10 May, necessitating the withdrawal of Allied troops and armaments from Norway, to defend against the almost certain imminent invasion of Britain.
Oddly, Churchill is a shadowy background figure in the book. Shakespeare focuses initially on the detail of the Norway campaign, and then the no confidence debate (technically an adjournment debate, but one that was used to marshall overwhelming dissatisfaction with Chamberlain's prime ministership).
As noted in the book, the Norwegian campaign has largely slipped from popular memory, and Chamberlain's reputation has never recovered from the perceived timidity and naivety of the 'peace in our time' appeasement after his Munich meeting with Hitler in September 1938, which agreed to German occupation of the Czech borderlands in return for Hitler's avowal that he had no further territorial ambitions.
Shakespeare provides a rivetingly detailed account of the war in the Norwegian theatre, noting many failures of oversight despite strong and spirited commitments by navy and army troops. Sadly, the campaign remains one which has not been formally recognized in the official decorations for WW11 troops, much to the chagrin and despair of its surviving fighters and the families of the dead.
However, dissatisfaction with the Norway campaign intensified the no confidence debate. Chamberlain knew the Labour Party would no longer support his leadership under a proposed coalition government. He promoted Lord Halifax as the obvious candidate, not only because of perceived abilities, but also to block Churchill's obvious ambitions. In the latter, Chamberlain was strongly supported by key figures in the government (and King George VI, who emerges as a not insignificant player in this drama, and who seemingly had no faith in Churchill's abilities).
Part of Shakespeare's intent in this book seems to be the rehabilitation of Chamberlain's reputation. The Prime Minister emerges as a man of considerable strength and honour, and one who worked diligently to rearm Britain in the late 1930s, dedicating over 40 per cent of GDP to the task in the two years prior to the war. The failure to rearm earlier was a massive loss of will and realism during the 1930s, when Churchill almost alone was drawing attention to the monstrous threat of Nazi Germany.
Churchill's perceptiveness in this regard garnered him considerable public popularity, despite the reservations of those within government, and ensured that he emerged as the obvious wartime leader when Chamberlain resigned (Chamberlain did not lose the no confidence vote, but sufficient numbers of his parliamentary majority of 213 crossed the floor, despite a three line whip, i.e., compulsory support, to make his position untenable).
Much of the tension in this highly readable account of events in early May 1940 derives from Shakespeare's investigation of Lord Halifax's credentials as Chamberlain's successor, and the various attempts by key players to thwart Chuchill.
Halifax's position in the House of Lords was problematic, but not an insuperable impediment to good governance. Halifax, however, was beset by doubts about his capacity to manage a wartime government, and seemed to believe that Churchill was the better man for the task (though some speculate he may have wanted Churchill to fail, and to then step in as the obvious guardian of the war effort). He was also deeply engaged emotionally with Lady Alexandra 'Baba' Metcalfe, a major socialite of the time, and seemed not to want to compromise the affair in any way.
Chamberlain, Halifax, and Churchill met on 10 May to resolve the succession. Halifax deferred to Churchill, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Most histories of the period focus on the enormous challenges faced by Churchill in the weeks immediately after his appointment as Prime Minister, when invasion was likely, and which resulted in the Battle of Dunkirk and eventual evacuation in late May-early June 1940. Not until Hitler made the gross error of opening a second war front in the East, and the United States entered the war after the Pearl Harbour attack in December 1941, did victory for Britain under Churchill's leadership seem remotely likely, despite his immense gift for inspiring the British in the perilous years of 1940 and 1941 (as many have noted, WW11 was won by a combination of Russian dead and American resources).
Six Minutes in May provides an enthralling, and almost novelistic, account of the largely forgotten days immediately preceding Churchill's Prime Ministership, and injects a degree of realism into the often quite adulatory treatment of Churchill. As an aside, Shakespeare's uncle, Geoffrey Shakespeare, was a National Liberal MP at the time of the events in the book, and was a Parliamentary Secretary in various portfolios from 1932 to 1942. 'Uncle Geoffrey' features occasionally in the book.
March 3, 2019
Intricate weaving of the failed Norwegian campaign and the resulting momentous debate in Parliament of May 1940 in which Chamberlain, still Prime Minister, won the vote but at great political cost to the extent that he resigned the Premiership. The premise of the book, clearly borne out by the facts, is that Churchill - newly appointed First Lord of the Admiralty - was a tactical disaster as a military campaigner, was fortunate not to be publicly shunned by Chamberlain for Norway largely in order to maintain public morale, and somehow ended at the summit of British politics.
Shakespeare, in also agreeing that we were left with the right leader at the right time, brings the characters, meetings and shifting loyalties of the leading politicians of the day to life with great vibrancy, with Lord Halifax's rejection of the top prize never fully accounted for despite the possible reasons for his reticence.
"All I hope is that it is not too late. I am afraid it is, but we can only do our best.' It's recalled that tears appeared in Churchill's eyes after he was driven back from Buckingham Palace having been invited to form a Government. No cheering local crowds to welcome his arrival at Number Ten, just the fear of air raids over London.
A superb historical account.
Shakespeare, in also agreeing that we were left with the right leader at the right time, brings the characters, meetings and shifting loyalties of the leading politicians of the day to life with great vibrancy, with Lord Halifax's rejection of the top prize never fully accounted for despite the possible reasons for his reticence.
"All I hope is that it is not too late. I am afraid it is, but we can only do our best.' It's recalled that tears appeared in Churchill's eyes after he was driven back from Buckingham Palace having been invited to form a Government. No cheering local crowds to welcome his arrival at Number Ten, just the fear of air raids over London.
A superb historical account.
May 17, 2018
It took a 6 minute debate about a botched Norway mission toppled the Chamberlain government and launched Churchill to Prime Minister.
This book starts with a mission. First Lord of Admiralty, Winston Churchill, was determined to prevent the Nazis from taking Norway. One, was to rescue a nephew who had been captured. Second, hoping for a victory to change the tide. It failed miserably on all fronts. The British, including Churchill, talked about it so much that it was common knowledge. Especially to the Germans, who were there when the British arrived.
The House of Commons was going to hold the government accountable. The buck stopped with the Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Hours, days, Chamberlain tried to hold on. Next, to convince Lord Halifax to take it and finally in a room of three people it was decided to be Churchill.
I love this book because it isn't solely focused on Churchill. It places a number of people who led to Chamberlain's fall and the aftermath of who would be next.
Notes:
All roads lead to the Mitfords, this story included.
Nicholas Shakespeare (writer) Uncle Geoffrey worked for Churchill when he was First Lord of the Admiralty.
This book starts with a mission. First Lord of Admiralty, Winston Churchill, was determined to prevent the Nazis from taking Norway. One, was to rescue a nephew who had been captured. Second, hoping for a victory to change the tide. It failed miserably on all fronts. The British, including Churchill, talked about it so much that it was common knowledge. Especially to the Germans, who were there when the British arrived.
The House of Commons was going to hold the government accountable. The buck stopped with the Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Hours, days, Chamberlain tried to hold on. Next, to convince Lord Halifax to take it and finally in a room of three people it was decided to be Churchill.
I love this book because it isn't solely focused on Churchill. It places a number of people who led to Chamberlain's fall and the aftermath of who would be next.
Notes:
All roads lead to the Mitfords, this story included.
Nicholas Shakespeare (writer) Uncle Geoffrey worked for Churchill when he was First Lord of the Admiralty.
October 26, 2018
This is an interestingly constructed book which narrates three linked episodes: the disastrous British campaign in Norway in April/May 1940; the House of Commons debate which became a 'vote of confidence' in the Chamberlain government; and the process by which Churchill became PM on 10 May.
The outline story is very familiar and has been the subject of very many books. What this book brings is a deep dive into the politics of this very famous period and offers a "behind-the-scenes" view of the manoeuvres between Chamberlain, Halifax, Churchill and Attlee. For example, it credits the little-remembered Clement Davies with a critical role in the switch of support from Chamberlain to Churchill. As such, this book is a valuable addition to the literature.
It is styled somewhere between an academic work and a novel, with a pacey narrative and good switches of focus. There are deeper analyses available of the Norway campaign, and biographies of the key players cover their roles more fully, but for an overview and insight into these dramatic events, "Six Minutes in May" is recommended.
The outline story is very familiar and has been the subject of very many books. What this book brings is a deep dive into the politics of this very famous period and offers a "behind-the-scenes" view of the manoeuvres between Chamberlain, Halifax, Churchill and Attlee. For example, it credits the little-remembered Clement Davies with a critical role in the switch of support from Chamberlain to Churchill. As such, this book is a valuable addition to the literature.
It is styled somewhere between an academic work and a novel, with a pacey narrative and good switches of focus. There are deeper analyses available of the Norway campaign, and biographies of the key players cover their roles more fully, but for an overview and insight into these dramatic events, "Six Minutes in May" is recommended.
April 19, 2020
Interesting history of of the context of the Prime Ministerial change in 1940, that probably changed the course of WW2.
Told in three parts. Firstly, the Norway campaign, which was botched from the Allied viewpoint, not least due to the operational interference of Churchill, in his then role of First Lord of the Admiralty, or political head of the Royal Navy. Secondly, scene setting by describing the background and character of the key players - mainly Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, and Churchill.
Finally, events of the weekend leading up to Norway debate in the House of Commons, and the fallout from the debate that lead to the change in leadership. What is clear is that Churchill in no way was guaranteed the rise - not least because of the failure of the campaign in Norway, and how that showed measured up against his uneven history prior to 1940. Lord Halifax, or even Chamberlain himself, were likely to become Prime Minister in a National government with opposition members, until the 6 minutes in the title.
A very interesting, if detailed read - although it turns out that no clear record exists of how power changed hands
Told in three parts. Firstly, the Norway campaign, which was botched from the Allied viewpoint, not least due to the operational interference of Churchill, in his then role of First Lord of the Admiralty, or political head of the Royal Navy. Secondly, scene setting by describing the background and character of the key players - mainly Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, and Churchill.
Finally, events of the weekend leading up to Norway debate in the House of Commons, and the fallout from the debate that lead to the change in leadership. What is clear is that Churchill in no way was guaranteed the rise - not least because of the failure of the campaign in Norway, and how that showed measured up against his uneven history prior to 1940. Lord Halifax, or even Chamberlain himself, were likely to become Prime Minister in a National government with opposition members, until the 6 minutes in the title.
A very interesting, if detailed read - although it turns out that no clear record exists of how power changed hands
September 20, 2018
In past histories about Churchill's rise, there is barely a paragraph devoted to his elevation to prime minister. I often wondered how such an amazing elevation occurred so quickly. In this extremely well-written work, probably the future standard of its subject, it shows Churchill's rise, while also showing how unlikely it was. This was the first detailed history I read of the British campaign in Norway and of how Britain and Churchill, who was First Lord of the Admiralty, made misstep after misstep. It shows the panic that grasped the county, once they discovered how severely the defeat was. I was also fascinated by its portrayals of Chamberlain and of Lord Halifax. Usually they both get short shrift by historians, but these are three dimensional portraits of the leading political actors at that time. I highly recommend it to World War II buffs and to connoisseurs of great political history.
July 26, 2018
History as it ought to be told. A page-turner and full of disarming stories about individuals you have never heard of but who determined the course of history, and some you have heard of but who are shown in a new light.
The author makes his subject live: you read on knowing full well that Churchill will become Prime Minister but also knowing there seems nothing inevitable about that...
This book has many pithy stories and short biopics of people I had not heard of such as Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart whose life story is almost beyond belief. His autobiography failed to mention his Victoria Cross. He See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_....
The author respects facts: he tells you what he knows and what cannot be know and he does not muddle the two.
The author makes his subject live: you read on knowing full well that Churchill will become Prime Minister but also knowing there seems nothing inevitable about that...
This book has many pithy stories and short biopics of people I had not heard of such as Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart whose life story is almost beyond belief. His autobiography failed to mention his Victoria Cross. He See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_....
The author respects facts: he tells you what he knows and what cannot be know and he does not muddle the two.
July 26, 2019
An excellent account of the rise of Churchill - and how it wasn't really a rise at all - rather a fall of Chamberlain. And at the centre of it an irony - Chamberlain exits because of the grossly inept Norway campaign. And the man in charge of the campaign - Churchill. But the blame stuck to Neville - rightly perhaps as he was, after all, the boss - and the rest just sort of happened. The book cleverly darts between the front line and the House of Commons - and puts to bed the idea of Churchill's rise as an inevitable consequence of his accurate predictions of the dangers of Hitler in the 1930s. Rather - the only other man for the job, Lord Halifax, simply didn't want the job. The truth turns out to be prosaic but still fascinating.
December 28, 2018
This book reveals, in detail, how Winston Churchill came to power in 1940. It is, as the book reveals, not a straight forward story. Those of us who are finding Brexit & the political shenanigans surrounding it a bit hard to take will find by reading this volume that it was ever thus in politics.
This book also gives the reader a clearly picture of both Lord Halifax & Neville Chamberlain whose reputations have sadly been very traduced over the years. The Churchillian interpretation of the Second World War & especially events like those covered in this book are now thankfully being re-interpreted by modern historians who are now giving us all a more rounded picture.
This book also gives the reader a clearly picture of both Lord Halifax & Neville Chamberlain whose reputations have sadly been very traduced over the years. The Churchillian interpretation of the Second World War & especially events like those covered in this book are now thankfully being re-interpreted by modern historians who are now giving us all a more rounded picture.
February 7, 2020
Excellent history of a vital period in WW II written with attention to detail,penetrating character studies of the leading participants and a fast pace.I never really knew much about the debacle in Norway in 1940,but it was incredible to see how the man,in part responsible for the failure,was to benefit so much from this very failure.Sympathetic to Chamberlain whose efforts have been ridiculed for too long.Churchill was vital to victory in WW II but not always right while Chamberlain has been totally overlooked.Strange how life turns out.
September 20, 2019
Free good book about Churchill's ascension to power. We actually discover that Chamberlain and Halifax were not the villains portrayed in modern history. However he was the right man, in the right place at the right time. We see Chruchill asvthe flawed character who made good. How ge us musttusted by those around him and still a threat to victory by his own meddling and enthusiasms. Yet there was no one else who could have led us through the struggles to come.
September 21, 2019
Great Book
This is a very focused book that lays out events from the start of the campaign in Norway to the ascension of Churchill to power. It provides far more detail to a little explored area of British history than ever provided before. We find more rounded portraits of Chamberlain and Hailfax, who are usually referred to as appeasers. We also have a description of Churchill at his worst, an interfering amateur who runs off half cocked.
Highly recommended.
This is a very focused book that lays out events from the start of the campaign in Norway to the ascension of Churchill to power. It provides far more detail to a little explored area of British history than ever provided before. We find more rounded portraits of Chamberlain and Hailfax, who are usually referred to as appeasers. We also have a description of Churchill at his worst, an interfering amateur who runs off half cocked.
Highly recommended.
February 27, 2018
Though I thank god he did, how Churchill became the UK PM on May 10, 1940 remains a mystery. On May 7, there seemed to be no chance for a challenge on Chamberlain. When the impossible happened, and he was challenged, the unanimous opinion seemed to be Lord Halifax as PM. Yet Churchill emerged as the PM. I have read many books on this, but this one is awesome.
July 6, 2018
If the first 1/3 of the book was as riveting as the last 2/3, I would have given this 5 stars. Once I got past the cumbersome details of the Norway campaign, the story picked up considerably and I hated to reach the last page. An incredible account of a period of days that changed the world as we know it.
October 11, 2020
Wow. I really enjoyed this one.I was wrong about thinking that Chamberlain waved his piece of paper, War not going well for the first 9 months, and stepped aside to let Churchill have a go.
I was very wrong. A more interesting tale by far, this, and the reluctance of most of the parties involved NOT wanting WC as PM...
I was very wrong. A more interesting tale by far, this, and the reluctance of most of the parties involved NOT wanting WC as PM...
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