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The World Crisis #Vol. IV
The World Crisis: 1916–1918
A volume in Churchill’s history of the First World War that is “essential reading, as fresh and compelling as ever” (Jon Meacham, bestselling author of Franklin and Winston).
This epic volume—third in a five-volume history of World War I from the eyewitness perspective of a highly-placed political insider—details Winston Churchill’s development of the Ten Year Rule, which gave the Treasury unprecedented power over financial, foreign, and strategic policy for years to come. In March 1916, Winston Churchill returned to England to speak once more in the House of Commons. Appointed first Minister of Munitions, then later Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Air, Churchill was in a prime position to observe and document the violent end of World War I.
This volume provides context for the events that came before Churchill’s return, including the intense battles of Jutland and Verdun. And it provides a rare perspective in the unbiased observances of a political leader with a journalist’s eye for the truth and a historian’s sense of significance—qualities which helped earn him a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.
This epic volume—third in a five-volume history of World War I from the eyewitness perspective of a highly-placed political insider—details Winston Churchill’s development of the Ten Year Rule, which gave the Treasury unprecedented power over financial, foreign, and strategic policy for years to come. In March 1916, Winston Churchill returned to England to speak once more in the House of Commons. Appointed first Minister of Munitions, then later Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Air, Churchill was in a prime position to observe and document the violent end of World War I.
This volume provides context for the events that came before Churchill’s return, including the intense battles of Jutland and Verdun. And it provides a rare perspective in the unbiased observances of a political leader with a journalist’s eye for the truth and a historian’s sense of significance—qualities which helped earn him a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.
693 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1927
190 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Winston S. Churchill
1,398 books2,489 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 4, 2023
An interesting look at the last two years of World War One. From History I'd been taught a lot more about the "War of Attrition" which missed that "Other than in 1918 with the resistance to the war started in Germany and 405000 recruited, The least of German recruitment (steadily 800,000 of the German youth) outpaced their losses." and that "From March to November 1918 British losses 830,000 inflicting 805,000 French losses 964,000 inflicting 660,000 The war of attrition was never won by the Allies." Other notes include that "The Germans never lost more than the French in any stage and frequently caused double the casualties. Whether on defensive or attacking the result was the same. " therefore "The result of every offensive was to leave the allies weaker than the enemy and in some cases substantially weaker."
This war of attrition had key points of the Somme: "The french thought to have been unable to attavk managed to overrun every German Line, however after the seven day bombardment there were safely ahidden in dugouts the machine guns." "Half the infantry at the Somme killed or captured. It needs some hardihood for Volnel boreston to write that the Battle results justified the methods employed. The deaths were hidden via censorship."
The UBoat war was also interesting, " 25 uboats were defeated without loss to shipping, 50 uboats could have been defeated. However is Admr Turpitz had waited until 200 Uboats no one can say what the result would have been. Scale mattered. Given the resource that went on securing shipping against the 25 uboats the allies were able to be better prepared and researched when the uboats reached 200. " however in the event whilst there was a brief period of seeing if "the army could win the war before the navy lost it" "At the end of the uboat campaigns a uboat could only hope for 6 voyages before demise. " Churchill notes "13,000 british lives lost, including civilians. Rescuing German crews from the uboats shows discipline of the British Navy" There were some errors in planning the defensive action of the merchant vessels "The sea is large, fearing that convoys couldn't move on stealth was wrong thinking as forty ships could slip through a gap as easily as one. "
The Nivelle Offensive was a key turning point "Nievelle asked to review his opinions and new situation esepcially with usa entering the war. Surely a new situation requires a new plan, His confidence in his plan was absolute. The German retreat did not inconvinence him and he could not himself have prescribed a more favourable manoeuvre. The "Nievelle plan didn't change even in German retreat from original positions " The "French demoralisation begun after failures of neivelle plan. mutinies started in 16 army corps. Didn't fight from April to June 1917 "
Towards the end of the war it seems that both the Germans (due to the USA entering the war) and the Allies (which I don't quite understand) were desperate to break through the other lines. This was amongst complaints that "the BRitish 504,000 rifles holding 200km and French argued they had 2/3rds of the French rifles but only held 1/3rd of the front. However british held the most active of the front and a larger proportion of the German divisions." and in the German attack " From Match 21st the Germans threw 120 divisions against 58 British." this was " March 21st offesive of 750,000 man assault. Largest ever. Mostly without French assistance as they were held in reserve.
" the war front was "Brought the English/French line under one general. Not that one general is better than another, but that one general is better than two. " Whilst the USA enetering the war changed all the dispositions of the combatants (with the Germans making a desperate attack) but were instrumental in the attitude "We have witnessed the blood transfusion, the new blood of the new world to reanimate the body of a France bled white by a mangled war of four years." however "Usa could only play a minor part in the summer, only 8/9 divisions helping in the front "
The alternative possibilites of the war were intersting to think about. Chuchill argues that "Russia exited the war when the task was done. Muntions shortage was over. The retreat had stopped. Armies had secure points to defend." and that if "If the Russian revolution, Unlimited U Boat attack had not happened in the same order then the whole course of events would have been revolutionised. Without Russia in the war Germany would not have had to declare unlimited war and USA would not have entered. " however he previosuly stated that it was impossible for Germany to win the war after La Marne and all that was left was slaughter so the dragging out of the war would be the main issue that I could see. He also argues that "A concerted effort at peace in the Balklands followed by attacking at the moment of weakness would have allowed all the states to achieve their legitimate ambitions, however they fell to the poisoned chalice of internecine warfare " and that an alternative war plan would have been for " The Germans could have attacked Russia and sat behind barricades waiting for the French, stopped UK entering the war and then turned to France when Russia was defeated. ".
Choice Notes
Admr John Jellicoe didnt know what wpuld happen in a fleet v fleet engagement with submarines, no one knew. Avoiding battle as policy unless on his terms could be excused, however, centralised command (other than to avoid torpedoes), this may have produced better Drill in the ships but was untenable in war.
Demoted, disgraced kicked out of the army and given a ministerial order not to reside within 50km of Paris. Monjien is given back a Corp when needed.
Germany sent a telegram asking for Mexico's alliance and offering then Texas Arizona and New Mexico. After several sinkings that killed Americans the USA declared war
No attack found the English without ardour, they seized the greatest fighting nation by the throat.
Tanks were dispensed in pairs rather than battle lines, and without the plan of infantry close behind. 59 deployed 35 started and 31 crossed trenches. One tank upon driving behind the German trench had 300 surrender.
Verdun was to become an anvil on which the French would be bound by sentimentality and bled white by German Cannon.
This war of attrition had key points of the Somme: "The french thought to have been unable to attavk managed to overrun every German Line, however after the seven day bombardment there were safely ahidden in dugouts the machine guns." "Half the infantry at the Somme killed or captured. It needs some hardihood for Volnel boreston to write that the Battle results justified the methods employed. The deaths were hidden via censorship."
The UBoat war was also interesting, " 25 uboats were defeated without loss to shipping, 50 uboats could have been defeated. However is Admr Turpitz had waited until 200 Uboats no one can say what the result would have been. Scale mattered. Given the resource that went on securing shipping against the 25 uboats the allies were able to be better prepared and researched when the uboats reached 200. " however in the event whilst there was a brief period of seeing if "the army could win the war before the navy lost it" "At the end of the uboat campaigns a uboat could only hope for 6 voyages before demise. " Churchill notes "13,000 british lives lost, including civilians. Rescuing German crews from the uboats shows discipline of the British Navy" There were some errors in planning the defensive action of the merchant vessels "The sea is large, fearing that convoys couldn't move on stealth was wrong thinking as forty ships could slip through a gap as easily as one. "
The Nivelle Offensive was a key turning point "Nievelle asked to review his opinions and new situation esepcially with usa entering the war. Surely a new situation requires a new plan, His confidence in his plan was absolute. The German retreat did not inconvinence him and he could not himself have prescribed a more favourable manoeuvre. The "Nievelle plan didn't change even in German retreat from original positions " The "French demoralisation begun after failures of neivelle plan. mutinies started in 16 army corps. Didn't fight from April to June 1917 "
Towards the end of the war it seems that both the Germans (due to the USA entering the war) and the Allies (which I don't quite understand) were desperate to break through the other lines. This was amongst complaints that "the BRitish 504,000 rifles holding 200km and French argued they had 2/3rds of the French rifles but only held 1/3rd of the front. However british held the most active of the front and a larger proportion of the German divisions." and in the German attack " From Match 21st the Germans threw 120 divisions against 58 British." this was " March 21st offesive of 750,000 man assault. Largest ever. Mostly without French assistance as they were held in reserve.
" the war front was "Brought the English/French line under one general. Not that one general is better than another, but that one general is better than two. " Whilst the USA enetering the war changed all the dispositions of the combatants (with the Germans making a desperate attack) but were instrumental in the attitude "We have witnessed the blood transfusion, the new blood of the new world to reanimate the body of a France bled white by a mangled war of four years." however "Usa could only play a minor part in the summer, only 8/9 divisions helping in the front "
The alternative possibilites of the war were intersting to think about. Chuchill argues that "Russia exited the war when the task was done. Muntions shortage was over. The retreat had stopped. Armies had secure points to defend." and that if "If the Russian revolution, Unlimited U Boat attack had not happened in the same order then the whole course of events would have been revolutionised. Without Russia in the war Germany would not have had to declare unlimited war and USA would not have entered. " however he previosuly stated that it was impossible for Germany to win the war after La Marne and all that was left was slaughter so the dragging out of the war would be the main issue that I could see. He also argues that "A concerted effort at peace in the Balklands followed by attacking at the moment of weakness would have allowed all the states to achieve their legitimate ambitions, however they fell to the poisoned chalice of internecine warfare " and that an alternative war plan would have been for " The Germans could have attacked Russia and sat behind barricades waiting for the French, stopped UK entering the war and then turned to France when Russia was defeated. ".
Choice Notes
Admr John Jellicoe didnt know what wpuld happen in a fleet v fleet engagement with submarines, no one knew. Avoiding battle as policy unless on his terms could be excused, however, centralised command (other than to avoid torpedoes), this may have produced better Drill in the ships but was untenable in war.
Demoted, disgraced kicked out of the army and given a ministerial order not to reside within 50km of Paris. Monjien is given back a Corp when needed.
Germany sent a telegram asking for Mexico's alliance and offering then Texas Arizona and New Mexico. After several sinkings that killed Americans the USA declared war
No attack found the English without ardour, they seized the greatest fighting nation by the throat.
Tanks were dispensed in pairs rather than battle lines, and without the plan of infantry close behind. 59 deployed 35 started and 31 crossed trenches. One tank upon driving behind the German trench had 300 surrender.
Verdun was to become an anvil on which the French would be bound by sentimentality and bled white by German Cannon.
July 6, 2018
I think I am going to have to give 5stars to everything Churchill writes. He is so interesting, knowledgeable and opinionated. Although these WWI volumes are dense, I cannot wait to get to the next one so I can learn and comprehend more from the western ally perspective. So well written and paced.
March 19, 2022
Part history and part personal narrative which recounts the final two years of the Great War with the famously vivid Churchillian prose. Sometimes the personal interjections work (his first-hand description of the 1918 German spring offensive was fascinating) and sometimes they don't (tedious verbatim memorandum of munitions production), but either way, you're reminded that Churchill was almost a living embodiment of history.
The book is quite analytical too, with Churchill meticulously describing the great battles of this period while often putting on the hat of a strategist and proposing what he thinks the respective senior commands of the Allies and the Germans *should* have done. For example, he denounces the costly Somme and Passchendaele offensives and argues that the British should have pursued a peripheral strategy of attacking the Central Powers at their weakest points, even stating that the Allies should have launched a second Gallipoli campaign. He is careful to support his assertions with reams of statistical data, although quite a lot of it doesn't hold up by the lights of modern scholarship: Churchill argues that the Allies suffered far more casualties than the Germans in the major battles of this period when in fact the casualty figures (just taking the battles of Verdun and 3rd Ypres) were generally equal on both sides.
Churchill concludes this volume with the following entreaty, "Is this the end? Is it to be merely a chapter in a cruel and senseless story? Will a new generation in their turn be immolated to square the black accounts of Teuton and Gaul? Will our children bleed and gasp again in devastated lands? Or will there spring from the very fires of conflict that reconciliation of the three giant combatants, which would unite their genius and secure to each in safety and freedom a share in rebuilding the glory of Europe?" Little could Churchill know, writing this in the 1920s, that there was an even greater war to come, of which he would play a central role, but the peace and reconciliation between Europe's great powers that he hints at did eventually come to pass.
The book is quite analytical too, with Churchill meticulously describing the great battles of this period while often putting on the hat of a strategist and proposing what he thinks the respective senior commands of the Allies and the Germans *should* have done. For example, he denounces the costly Somme and Passchendaele offensives and argues that the British should have pursued a peripheral strategy of attacking the Central Powers at their weakest points, even stating that the Allies should have launched a second Gallipoli campaign. He is careful to support his assertions with reams of statistical data, although quite a lot of it doesn't hold up by the lights of modern scholarship: Churchill argues that the Allies suffered far more casualties than the Germans in the major battles of this period when in fact the casualty figures (just taking the battles of Verdun and 3rd Ypres) were generally equal on both sides.
Churchill concludes this volume with the following entreaty, "Is this the end? Is it to be merely a chapter in a cruel and senseless story? Will a new generation in their turn be immolated to square the black accounts of Teuton and Gaul? Will our children bleed and gasp again in devastated lands? Or will there spring from the very fires of conflict that reconciliation of the three giant combatants, which would unite their genius and secure to each in safety and freedom a share in rebuilding the glory of Europe?" Little could Churchill know, writing this in the 1920s, that there was an even greater war to come, of which he would play a central role, but the peace and reconciliation between Europe's great powers that he hints at did eventually come to pass.
May 17, 2025
First time reading Churchill. Yes, he's an adept prose smith. Yes, he's full of himself. Yes, he ducks responsibility for his own mistakes. And he also has an informed and interesting take on contemporary events.
The copy of this book that I checked out of our local library was printed in 1927. 98 years old! Shout out to the Lower Merion Library System for retaining a vast array of important works.
The copy of this book that I checked out of our local library was printed in 1927. 98 years old! Shout out to the Lower Merion Library System for retaining a vast array of important works.
April 21, 2023
The third volume in Churchill’s epic account of the Great War covers the period 1916-1918, ending on Armistice day. He was in the Cabinet as Munitions minister in 1917 and 1918 and close to Lloyd George in 1916, so able to give a first hand account of his own role and the wider political and military construct. Written with his usual recognisable style.
June 21, 2018
Even better than the last two volumes on WWI. I learned so much and love Sir Winston as a narrator. Extremely well written.
May 28, 2015
I'd have probably given this book 4 stars, however Churchill first writes there is no need to delve into the Battle of Jutland. He then uses one third of the book describing the Battle of Jutland. The most interesting elements of this book are the personal and biased observations of the military leaders of England and France during WWI. Churchill is not afraid to bloody some noses. The other interesting element is seeing very clearly what Churchill learned in WWI that helped him lead Britain in WWII. This second point, while an inference, is also very clear.
I was surprised Churchill got so close to the action.
I was surprised to learn that even when Churchill was "out" of the Cabinet, he was really still in.
I'd always thought that Churchill was an organizational genius. The portion of the book describing how he organized business once he was put in charge of munitions makes it clear he was an organizational genius.
Churchill never mentions the "little people."
He is too forgiving of some generals who sent troops to the slaughter.
He is too quick to call a victory late war battles in which the losses were 1:1. OK, you've captured some dirt, but when the losses in a month exceed 250,000, are you really winning?
The last chapter of the book, in which he describes his experience at the time of the signing of the armistice remains very compelling. His words, written in the 1920's are compelling in that he can see the danger in international relationships which became WWII.
Great narrator! He sounds just like Churchill.
I was surprised Churchill got so close to the action.
I was surprised to learn that even when Churchill was "out" of the Cabinet, he was really still in.
I'd always thought that Churchill was an organizational genius. The portion of the book describing how he organized business once he was put in charge of munitions makes it clear he was an organizational genius.
Churchill never mentions the "little people."
He is too forgiving of some generals who sent troops to the slaughter.
He is too quick to call a victory late war battles in which the losses were 1:1. OK, you've captured some dirt, but when the losses in a month exceed 250,000, are you really winning?
The last chapter of the book, in which he describes his experience at the time of the signing of the armistice remains very compelling. His words, written in the 1920's are compelling in that he can see the danger in international relationships which became WWII.
Great narrator! He sounds just like Churchill.
January 4, 2023
A typical Churchill book verbose and making no mention of his many mistakes, or making light of them
April 1, 2017
Incredible read!
I chose to read Churchill's World Crisis because I knew so little about WWI, and I really wanted to know what started it all. My interest in WWI began when I read one of the books I purchased for my homeschooled kids to read for 20th Century history. You probably know the book, All Quiet on The Western Front. After reading that book all I could think about was "Why?", and I just had to know the reasons behind it all. I found the first volume of World Crisis available for free on Prime and began reading. The more I read the more I developed an understanding of the rulers of countries and military minds of that time and how they perceived things. And the society that was so intertwined between the countries involved by friendships and marriage made it all seem so incredible to me that this could ever happen.
Before reading all three volumes I knew very little about Winston Churchill, but reading about the events in his own words has been a real treasure and along the way I developed a deep respect for his character and began to feel like I was getting to know him as a person. And how better to do that than by reading his own words!
Churchill leaves nothing out, he articulates his thoughts extremely well, and throughout supplies the reader with copies of documented correspondence and memorandums from himself as well as others. If you can manage your way through the meticulous details you will come to know Churchill in a way that isn't covered in history books or autobiographies. You will discover Churchill through his thought processes and understand his motives. That is one thing I particularly liked.
These volumes unveiled for me many truths about WWI. That was what I was looking for when I first asked myself why, and I was not to be disappointed. If your interest lies more toward detailed accounts of actual battles you won't find that in these volumes, but you will certainly come away with the knowledge of the strategic planning that went on by the allies and by the beligerant countries regarding many of the battle fought in the eastern and western fronts and at sea, as well as how they turned out. I know there is so much more I need to know, and these volumes don't cover. everything, but they were a great place to start and I will undoubtedly read the rest of his books. Churchill is (was) a most gifted person and an excellent author.
I chose to read Churchill's World Crisis because I knew so little about WWI, and I really wanted to know what started it all. My interest in WWI began when I read one of the books I purchased for my homeschooled kids to read for 20th Century history. You probably know the book, All Quiet on The Western Front. After reading that book all I could think about was "Why?", and I just had to know the reasons behind it all. I found the first volume of World Crisis available for free on Prime and began reading. The more I read the more I developed an understanding of the rulers of countries and military minds of that time and how they perceived things. And the society that was so intertwined between the countries involved by friendships and marriage made it all seem so incredible to me that this could ever happen.
Before reading all three volumes I knew very little about Winston Churchill, but reading about the events in his own words has been a real treasure and along the way I developed a deep respect for his character and began to feel like I was getting to know him as a person. And how better to do that than by reading his own words!
Churchill leaves nothing out, he articulates his thoughts extremely well, and throughout supplies the reader with copies of documented correspondence and memorandums from himself as well as others. If you can manage your way through the meticulous details you will come to know Churchill in a way that isn't covered in history books or autobiographies. You will discover Churchill through his thought processes and understand his motives. That is one thing I particularly liked.
These volumes unveiled for me many truths about WWI. That was what I was looking for when I first asked myself why, and I was not to be disappointed. If your interest lies more toward detailed accounts of actual battles you won't find that in these volumes, but you will certainly come away with the knowledge of the strategic planning that went on by the allies and by the beligerant countries regarding many of the battle fought in the eastern and western fronts and at sea, as well as how they turned out. I know there is so much more I need to know, and these volumes don't cover. everything, but they were a great place to start and I will undoubtedly read the rest of his books. Churchill is (was) a most gifted person and an excellent author.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews