WARLORDS an extraordinary re-creation of World War II through the eyes of its leaders

by Joanna Potts, Simon Berthon

WARLORDS recreates in forensic and gripping detail the extraordinary mind games between Churchill, Hitler, Stalin and Roosevelt as World War Two unfolded day by day.

Why did Hitler make a deal in August 1939 with his sworn enemy Stalin? Was it always his intention to double-cross the Russian? Or was Operation Barbarossa forced on Hitler because he’d failed to bring Churchill to heel? What was going on in Roosevelt’s mind as Churchill stood alone against Hitler? Did he always intend to bring America into the war, as Churchill pleaded with him to do? Or was his real plan for Britain to do the fighting, backed by American money – a plan that was disrupted only by Pearl Harbour?

And in the war’s endgame, did the two great leaders of the West failed to understand Stalin’s intentions; or did they have no choice but to concede half of Europe to him?

“Gripping, innovative and perceptive… It reads like a thriller but it is also a scholarly, impeccably researched piece of work… superlative.” - Tribune

“Fascinating insights into the minds of these titans.” - Daily Mail

Genres: History, Biography, War, Nonfiction, World War II, Audiobook, Military Fiction

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2013

Reviews

[Mark Duquaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reads a bit like a history book, but I enjoyed it. I especially liked the fact that it focused on the interplay between the four leaders and delves into the psychology of their relationships instead of the heavy military focus that most books focus on.

FDR really made mistakes along the way in his naivety regarding Stalin. It was frustrating to read about his actions and unwillingness to help our British ally.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unparalleled long peek behind the curtains of the private rooms and meetings of these four warlords and the people closest to them.

[Richard Harral · Rating 5 out of 5]

It open my eyes to the fact President Roosevelt should have never been allowed to run for president a third and fourth term. He was not healthy enough and way to weak to see what Stalin was up to. What a disaster it caused; the 50 year “Cold War”.

A great documented read. Should be required reading for college students so they aren’t so keen on socialism. I feel the present Ukrainian War is part of Russian present leader trying to recapture land they claimed after WWll.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written, with excellent narration on the audiobook. This book follows the perspectives of each of the 4 major figures of WW2. Churchill was entertaining as always, but it was interesting learning of how FDR and Stalin’s relationship developed…and of the mistakes made by FDR in dealing with him.

[David Elkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triumph

A fantastic work showing the inner thoughts of the warlords. In my opinion, Churchill got most of the process of Stalin's thoughts correct but was unable to convince FDR. How history could have been changed is only guesswork.

[Michael Delaware · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fascinating juxtoposition of the four largest figures in WWII.

[Libor Toman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Few gems there and there, otherwise it was a quite tedious read which can be summed up into several sentences.

[Patrick Broderick]

A fascinating look at the 4 major leaders of the forces in the 2nd World War. Starting in May, 1940 when Churchill is asked by the king to form a new gov't in response to the German invasion of the Low Countries and France then following Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin & Hitler through the war years until Roosevelt's death. The POVs of each of these men were explored through their own writings as well as those close to these men.

Among the things I learned was the fact that, rather than the united front they showed the world, Churchill & Roosevelt actually had numerous disagreements over strategy & tactics, diplomacy with the Soviets, when & where to open a second front & especially the status of the post-war British Empire. Hitler actually came to realize the war was lost after the failed Ardennes offensive but refused to discuss any ceasefire - refusing to follow the example of 1918, which might have saved the German people and infrastructure from the almost total devastation wrought by the end. Stalin underestimated Hitler and his hatred of communism but later played Churchill & especially Roosevelt for the Soviet Union's benefit.

There is the presumption the reader is familiar with the course of the war but chances are those are the type to read this.

Rather than a dry dissertation, this brought to life the nearly 5 years between the end of the Sitzkrieg and the death of FDR.