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Three Days at the Brink: Young Readers' Edition: FDR's Daring Gamble to Win World War II
This young readers’ edition from New York Times bestselling author and Fox News anchor Bret Baier dives into the first of the secret World War II meetings between President Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, which would shape the world for decades to come.
In the process, it tells the story of the personal and political evolution of Roosevelt, and how he came to be the man who orchestrated the most decisive conference of the war.
Following Germany’s invasion of the USSR in June 1941, Prime Minister Winston Churchill offered his support to the Soviets. But by the time the United States entered what had become the second World War in history, it became crucial for the Allied forces to better align themselves against the Axis powers.
This meeting of the minds took place in Tehran, and in attendance were some of the most iconic leaders of the twentieth Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.
Though America, Britain, and the Soviet Union all had a common enemy, their political goals differed greatly. This young readers’ edition will explore how their united stance against Nazi Germany allowed them to mend their differences, paving the way for what eventually became one of the most important victories in world history.
This book, which includes an insert of photographs from that time, tells the inside story of their secret conference.
In the process, it tells the story of the personal and political evolution of Roosevelt, and how he came to be the man who orchestrated the most decisive conference of the war.
Following Germany’s invasion of the USSR in June 1941, Prime Minister Winston Churchill offered his support to the Soviets. But by the time the United States entered what had become the second World War in history, it became crucial for the Allied forces to better align themselves against the Axis powers.
This meeting of the minds took place in Tehran, and in attendance were some of the most iconic leaders of the twentieth Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.
Though America, Britain, and the Soviet Union all had a common enemy, their political goals differed greatly. This young readers’ edition will explore how their united stance against Nazi Germany allowed them to mend their differences, paving the way for what eventually became one of the most important victories in world history.
This book, which includes an insert of photographs from that time, tells the inside story of their secret conference.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2019
73 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Bret Baier
13 books194 followersWilliam Bret Baier is an American journalist and the host of Special Report with Bret Baier on the Fox News Channel and the chief political anchor for Fox. He previously worked as the network's Chief White House Correspondent and Pentagon correspondent.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 8, 2021
The author has three books in this series, "Three Days at the Brink" is the last book to be published, but the first in the chronology of events. This book is about the 1943 Conference in which FDR, Churchill and Stalin planned the D-day invasion of Europe.
The author gives a brief history of FDR's rise to power and his presidency during his first two terms, and how he transitioned to being a "War President" in the 1940s. I found it an interesting juxtaposition how Baier presented FDR in the 30s, as opposed to how Amity Schlaes presents FDR in her book "The Forgotten Man". In Schales we get a much deeper dive into how power hungry FDR really was and how his politics and policies hurt more than helped in the 1930s. I know Baier did not have time to go into those kinds of details, however I felt like he skated over it.
This said, as FDR transitioned to WW2 he was in his element, meeting with Churchill and those two making great plans for the US and the UK. Eventually these two knew they had to make an uncomfortable alliance with Stalin of the USSR if they wanted to defeat the Nazis. Plans were made in 1943 in Tehran, Iran, where the three men met and made plans.
Impressions: I knew that Nazism was bad, but while reading this book I really came to KNOW how bad it was, and how very serious this threat was. Hitler was a mad-man and had to be stopped. These three world leaders knew that as well and knew that there had to be planning and vision to enact this plan. As Baier detailed the events of D-day he was able to convey the hopes and fears of the men that participated in this monumental task.
One of the points Baier made at the end was that the events of WW2 and the fragile relationship FDR and Churchill had with Stalin set the stage for the beginnings of the Cold War (which Baier details in his other books in the "Three Days" series).
A good book, a must read for students of WW2 history.
The author gives a brief history of FDR's rise to power and his presidency during his first two terms, and how he transitioned to being a "War President" in the 1940s. I found it an interesting juxtaposition how Baier presented FDR in the 30s, as opposed to how Amity Schlaes presents FDR in her book "The Forgotten Man". In Schales we get a much deeper dive into how power hungry FDR really was and how his politics and policies hurt more than helped in the 1930s. I know Baier did not have time to go into those kinds of details, however I felt like he skated over it.
This said, as FDR transitioned to WW2 he was in his element, meeting with Churchill and those two making great plans for the US and the UK. Eventually these two knew they had to make an uncomfortable alliance with Stalin of the USSR if they wanted to defeat the Nazis. Plans were made in 1943 in Tehran, Iran, where the three men met and made plans.
Impressions: I knew that Nazism was bad, but while reading this book I really came to KNOW how bad it was, and how very serious this threat was. Hitler was a mad-man and had to be stopped. These three world leaders knew that as well and knew that there had to be planning and vision to enact this plan. As Baier detailed the events of D-day he was able to convey the hopes and fears of the men that participated in this monumental task.
One of the points Baier made at the end was that the events of WW2 and the fragile relationship FDR and Churchill had with Stalin set the stage for the beginnings of the Cold War (which Baier details in his other books in the "Three Days" series).
A good book, a must read for students of WW2 history.
January 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and felt that I learned a lot. One might think that because I am not a "young reader", I might not find this book informative, but I really found it very interesting and illuminating. Just to be clear, this book covers a lot more than 3 days. In fact, I am not sure exactly which were the three days mentioned in the title. The book covers FDRs youth and early political career and then delves more deeply into the events leading up to and during World War II, with a strong focus on his meetings and negotiations with Churchill and Stalin - the three days must be somewhere in here, but are they the days of the meeting in Tehran? I think that's my best guess.
One of the strengths of this book is that it does not shy away from showing Roosevelt as a flawed human being - a heroic figure in many ways, but not by any means a perfect one. Too often books for young people simplify things to the point where historical figures are unrelatable cardboard figures, but that does not happen here.
This is a well-written historical account. I am glad to have read it and would definitely recommend it to others. I think I will see if I can find Three Days in January: Young Readers' Edition: Dwight Eisenhower's Final Mission and Three Days in Moscow Young Readers' Edition: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire.
One of the strengths of this book is that it does not shy away from showing Roosevelt as a flawed human being - a heroic figure in many ways, but not by any means a perfect one. Too often books for young people simplify things to the point where historical figures are unrelatable cardboard figures, but that does not happen here.
This is a well-written historical account. I am glad to have read it and would definitely recommend it to others. I think I will see if I can find Three Days in January: Young Readers' Edition: Dwight Eisenhower's Final Mission and Three Days in Moscow Young Readers' Edition: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire.
October 16, 2023
Whenever I read about Franklin Roosevelt anywhere, I get terribly excited because I know I into a book which is good. His contribution to U.S.A is incomparable. But nothing will come close to the greatest man who lived in this world of ours Abraham Lincoln. I love him so much. Jesus is all Roman fiction.
Roosevelt's contribution to the success of World War 11 is immeasurable. Without him we would have still have a relative Hitler still in control of Europe. That man worked so hard that he died of exhaustion just a few days before the Germany surrendered and brought the end to the European war front. His supply of arms and ammunition to the Russians at that crucial time the Germans would have definitely defeated the Russians. The Russians lost millions of its people during the German on slaughter. General Marshall and General Eisenhower helped and worked hard to implement Roosevelt's policies.
Roosevelt's contribution to the success of World War 11 is immeasurable. Without him we would have still have a relative Hitler still in control of Europe. That man worked so hard that he died of exhaustion just a few days before the Germany surrendered and brought the end to the European war front. His supply of arms and ammunition to the Russians at that crucial time the Germans would have definitely defeated the Russians. The Russians lost millions of its people during the German on slaughter. General Marshall and General Eisenhower helped and worked hard to implement Roosevelt's policies.
August 7, 2022
Interesting but poorly written
Not much new information but still an interesting book. Unfortunately the writing style appeared to me very sophomoric. Felt at times like I was reading a high school essay paper.
Not much new information but still an interesting book. Unfortunately the writing style appeared to me very sophomoric. Felt at times like I was reading a high school essay paper.
May 5, 2021
This book is an excellent, pared down exposition about the relationship between the three men featured on the cover: Stalin, FDR and Churchill during WWII. Excellent for any middle school Social Studies teacher's classroom shelf and guaranteed to grab and hold the attention of your non-fiction readers.
It's fully indexed, which is nice for future reference, and not a feature many MG books come with any longer. It has a glossary and about 30 pages of source notes, again, fantastic for students looking to do additional research for a paper, for example. There are six pages of black and white photographs in the very center, which gives readers a break from the text.
It does an excellent job of following through to Japan's surrender and even touching on to Ronald Reagan in 1982.
TEACHER'S NOTE: I have to admit, I picked this one up hoping it would be a fantastic teaching resource, perhaps even have a great, free educator's guide or teaching guide that goes along with it.
It doesn't.
Which kind of baffles me, but maybe the publisher thought there's already so many teaching resources on WWII and FDR that teachers didn't need another one? Honestly, it's a barrier that would prevent me from using this as a text in a classroom.
So that's why this only appears on my blog under MG Books, as non-fiction for your bookshelf, and not as a Teachers resource.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
It's fully indexed, which is nice for future reference, and not a feature many MG books come with any longer. It has a glossary and about 30 pages of source notes, again, fantastic for students looking to do additional research for a paper, for example. There are six pages of black and white photographs in the very center, which gives readers a break from the text.
It does an excellent job of following through to Japan's surrender and even touching on to Ronald Reagan in 1982.
TEACHER'S NOTE: I have to admit, I picked this one up hoping it would be a fantastic teaching resource, perhaps even have a great, free educator's guide or teaching guide that goes along with it.
It doesn't.
Which kind of baffles me, but maybe the publisher thought there's already so many teaching resources on WWII and FDR that teachers didn't need another one? Honestly, it's a barrier that would prevent me from using this as a text in a classroom.
So that's why this only appears on my blog under MG Books, as non-fiction for your bookshelf, and not as a Teachers resource.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
September 22, 2022
Three Days at the Brink is part biography of Franklin Roosevelt and part a history of the Tehran Conference, a meeting between Franklin Roosevelt (president of the United States), Winston Churchill (prime minister of Great Britain), and Joseph Stalin (premier [which is basically a nice sounding word for dictator] of the Soviet Union). At this conference Roosevelt first proposed the idea for D-Day.
Readers of Three Days at the Brink will learn about how America’s allies in the war (Soviet Union and Great Britain) responded to Roosevelt’s proposal, the complex relations between these three countries, and much more!
Why I like it: As I read Three Days at the Brink I was in a state of utter fascination. I was mesmerized, intrigued, captivated, spellbound…I felt feelings that words can not describe… I learned exciting new things on every page… I fulfilled a lifelong dream by gaining a greater knowledge of WWII history… I learned to love both reading and history even more than I did before… I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced, and I sorrowed. I danced and was still, I lived and let live, I sat down and stood up, sowed and reaped, loved and despised, and oh, oh, best, best of all, I even had my cake and ate it too. Okay, okay, maybe I’m being a little over dramatic here…
Readers of Three Days at the Brink will learn about how America’s allies in the war (Soviet Union and Great Britain) responded to Roosevelt’s proposal, the complex relations between these three countries, and much more!
Why I like it: As I read Three Days at the Brink I was in a state of utter fascination. I was mesmerized, intrigued, captivated, spellbound…I felt feelings that words can not describe… I learned exciting new things on every page… I fulfilled a lifelong dream by gaining a greater knowledge of WWII history… I learned to love both reading and history even more than I did before… I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced, and I sorrowed. I danced and was still, I lived and let live, I sat down and stood up, sowed and reaped, loved and despised, and oh, oh, best, best of all, I even had my cake and ate it too. Okay, okay, maybe I’m being a little over dramatic here…
January 19, 2020
I read a lot of kid's nonfiction and I gotta say this book is not going to go over well. Kids are really picky. Books, even nonfiction, have to be entertaining. This book is too dry. It doesn't have the drama and mystery that Bill O'Reilly is able to weave into his books. There are no cliffhangers at the end of chapters that make you want to keep reading. I felt no emotional connection and there are certainly plenty of things about FDR's life that should have given me a sense of wonder. Nope. Nothing.
I thought the book would mostly focus on World War II. It is a biography of FDR's entire life. Everything, from his relationship with Eleanor to his snub by former president Hoover, is mentioned. About 60% is about World War II. There was plenty of talk about the failed meetings with Stalin and Churchill, and yet I really didn't get to know these two men at all, especially Stalin. Even the main event, the meeting in Tehran to discuss the US/British offensive, was anti-climatic.
I'm just saying, this book could have been much better.
I thought the book would mostly focus on World War II. It is a biography of FDR's entire life. Everything, from his relationship with Eleanor to his snub by former president Hoover, is mentioned. About 60% is about World War II. There was plenty of talk about the failed meetings with Stalin and Churchill, and yet I really didn't get to know these two men at all, especially Stalin. Even the main event, the meeting in Tehran to discuss the US/British offensive, was anti-climatic.
I'm just saying, this book could have been much better.
November 24, 2019
Loved it.
The book was very easy to read, and I learned a good bit about Stalin and Churchill. My WWII knowledge has been lacking with those two, and I enjoyed reading how the relationship between FDR and Churchill grew over time.
The events of WWII run up and how the main characters’ threads converge to meet was engaging, and for me well worth the read.
The only criticism I have about the book relates to the format. The other two in the series, and if you haven’t read those, you really should, revolved around their titular 3 days. This one didn’t. Although the Yalta meeting is definitely shown as important, it is not as central to the book’s organization.
Regardless, I highly recommend this book, as well as the series to which it belongs.
The book was very easy to read, and I learned a good bit about Stalin and Churchill. My WWII knowledge has been lacking with those two, and I enjoyed reading how the relationship between FDR and Churchill grew over time.
The events of WWII run up and how the main characters’ threads converge to meet was engaging, and for me well worth the read.
The only criticism I have about the book relates to the format. The other two in the series, and if you haven’t read those, you really should, revolved around their titular 3 days. This one didn’t. Although the Yalta meeting is definitely shown as important, it is not as central to the book’s organization.
Regardless, I highly recommend this book, as well as the series to which it belongs.
December 2, 2019
This book should more aptly considered a biography of FDR. While it is a good book, informative, it is not what I consider an easy read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews