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Churchill: Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat
On May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill stood before the House of Commons to deliver his first speech as Prime Minister. Europe was in crisis: Three days earlier, Germany had invaded France and the Low Countries. Facing only feeble resistance, Hitler’s armies were rapidly sweeping westward. Accused of mishandling the war, Neville Chamberlain’s government collapsed, and Churchill was chosen to succeed him. Churchill had little support within the new government when he rose to address it on May 13. “I have never believed in him,” wrote one MP. Another described Churchill as a “disaster.” In fact, Churchill lacked confidence, both in himself and in his ability to lead his nation to victory, for he recognized far earlier than most the military genius of Adolph Hitler, and the potency of the German military. “I hope it is not too late,” Churchill had confided to his bodyguard on May 10. “I am very much afraid that it is.” In Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat, the eminent historian and master storyteller John Lukacs recreates this pivotal moment in world history, and reveals Churchill as he has rarely been seen before: as a man both unsure of himself and deeply fearful of his nation’s defeat. Churchill made no promises to his country in his speech, because he knew he had none to make. And yet he rallied England onward in the face of a vicious enemy. For Churchill-and Churchill alone-understood what was at stake: the fate not only of nations, but of civilization itself.
147 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2007
11 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
John Lukacs
64 books116 followersLukacs was born in Budapest to a Roman Catholic father and Jewish mother. His parents divorced before the Second World War. During the Second World War he was forced to serve in a Hungarian labour battalion for Jews. During the German occupation of Hungary in 1944-45 he evaded deportation to the death camps, and survived the siege of Budapest. In 1946, as it became clear that Hungary was going to be a repressive Communist regime, he fled to the United States. In the early 1950s however, Lukacs wrote several articles in Commonweal criticizing the approach taken by Senator Joseph McCarthy, whom he described as a vulgar demagogue.[1]
Lukacs sees populism as the greatest threat to civilization. By his own description, he considers himself to be a reactionary. He claims that populism is the essence of both National Socialism and Communism. He denies that there is such a thing as generic fascism, noting for example that the differences between the political regimes of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy are greater than their similarities.[2]
A major theme in Lukacs's writing is his agreement with the assertion by the French historian Alexis de Tocqueville that aristocratic elites have been replaced by democratic elites, which obtain power via an appeal to the masses. In his 2002 book, At the End of an Age, Lukacs argued that the modern/bourgeois age, which began around the time of the Renaissance, is coming to an end.[3] The rise of populism and the decline of elitism is the theme of his experimental work, A Thread of Years (1998), a series of vignettes set in each year of the 20th century from 1900 to 1998, tracing the abandonment of gentlemanly conduct and the rise of vulgarity in American culture. Lukacs defends traditional Western civilization against what he sees as the leveling and debasing effects of mass culture.
By his own admission a dedicated Anglophile, Lukacs’s favorite historical figure is Winston Churchill, whom he considers to be the greatest statesman of the 20th century, and the savior of not only Great Britain, but also of Western civilization. A recurring theme in his writing is the duel between Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler for mastery of the world. The struggle between them, whom Lukacs sees as the archetypical reactionary and the archetypical revolutionary, is the major theme of The Last European War (1976), The Duel (1991), Five Days in London (1999) and 2008's Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat, a book about Churchill’s first major speech as Prime Minister. Lukacs argues that Great Britain (and by extension the British Empire) could not defeat Germany by itself, winning required the entry of the United States and the Soviet Union, but he contends that Churchill, by ensuring that Germany failed to win the war in 1940, laid the groundwork for an Allied victory.
Lukacs holds strong isolationist beliefs, and unusually for an anti-Communist émigré, "airs surprisingly critical views of the Cold War from a unique conservative perspective."[4] Lukacs claims that the Soviet Union was a feeble power on the verge of collapse, and contended that the Cold War was an unnecessary waste of American treasure and life. Likewise, Lukacs has also condemned the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In his 1997 book, George F. Kennan and the Origins of Containment, 1944-1946, a collection of letters between Lukacs and his close friend George F. Kennan exchanged in 1994-1995, Lukacs and Kennan criticized the New Left claim that the Cold War was caused by the United States. Lukacs argued however that although it was Joseph Stalin who was largely responsible for the beginning of the Cold War, the administration of Dwight Eisenhower missed a chance for ending the Cold War in 1953 after Stalin's death, and as a consequence the Cold War went on for many more decades.
Lukacs sees populism as the greatest threat to civilization. By his own description, he considers himself to be a reactionary. He claims that populism is the essence of both National Socialism and Communism. He denies that there is such a thing as generic fascism, noting for example that the differences between the political regimes of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy are greater than their similarities.[2]
A major theme in Lukacs's writing is his agreement with the assertion by the French historian Alexis de Tocqueville that aristocratic elites have been replaced by democratic elites, which obtain power via an appeal to the masses. In his 2002 book, At the End of an Age, Lukacs argued that the modern/bourgeois age, which began around the time of the Renaissance, is coming to an end.[3] The rise of populism and the decline of elitism is the theme of his experimental work, A Thread of Years (1998), a series of vignettes set in each year of the 20th century from 1900 to 1998, tracing the abandonment of gentlemanly conduct and the rise of vulgarity in American culture. Lukacs defends traditional Western civilization against what he sees as the leveling and debasing effects of mass culture.
By his own admission a dedicated Anglophile, Lukacs’s favorite historical figure is Winston Churchill, whom he considers to be the greatest statesman of the 20th century, and the savior of not only Great Britain, but also of Western civilization. A recurring theme in his writing is the duel between Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler for mastery of the world. The struggle between them, whom Lukacs sees as the archetypical reactionary and the archetypical revolutionary, is the major theme of The Last European War (1976), The Duel (1991), Five Days in London (1999) and 2008's Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat, a book about Churchill’s first major speech as Prime Minister. Lukacs argues that Great Britain (and by extension the British Empire) could not defeat Germany by itself, winning required the entry of the United States and the Soviet Union, but he contends that Churchill, by ensuring that Germany failed to win the war in 1940, laid the groundwork for an Allied victory.
Lukacs holds strong isolationist beliefs, and unusually for an anti-Communist émigré, "airs surprisingly critical views of the Cold War from a unique conservative perspective."[4] Lukacs claims that the Soviet Union was a feeble power on the verge of collapse, and contended that the Cold War was an unnecessary waste of American treasure and life. Likewise, Lukacs has also condemned the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In his 1997 book, George F. Kennan and the Origins of Containment, 1944-1946, a collection of letters between Lukacs and his close friend George F. Kennan exchanged in 1994-1995, Lukacs and Kennan criticized the New Left claim that the Cold War was caused by the United States. Lukacs argued however that although it was Joseph Stalin who was largely responsible for the beginning of the Cold War, the administration of Dwight Eisenhower missed a chance for ending the Cold War in 1953 after Stalin's death, and as a consequence the Cold War went on for many more decades.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 5, 2016
Whoever has tried to read one of Churchill's own accounts of either The World Crisis, 1911-1918 or the Second World War knows that it is hard not to lose track of the action due to his fantastic capacity for remembering every tiny detail, and giving it enough space to make a whole book of it.
This study actually focuses on one tiny detail in Churchill's political career, and with very good result. Revolving solely around the (probably most famous) speech held in 1940, at one of the darkest moments in European history, it shows Churchill in action and character in a way that the extensive studies and analyses fail to do. Capturing a moment in time, it gives structure to the man who did so much, and over such a wide timespan, that it is hard to grasp him. A case study, and a very readable introduction to Churchill.
This study actually focuses on one tiny detail in Churchill's political career, and with very good result. Revolving solely around the (probably most famous) speech held in 1940, at one of the darkest moments in European history, it shows Churchill in action and character in a way that the extensive studies and analyses fail to do. Capturing a moment in time, it gives structure to the man who did so much, and over such a wide timespan, that it is hard to grasp him. A case study, and a very readable introduction to Churchill.
May 8, 2010
This was a quick and enjoyable read and a good overview of Churchill's character. It's not a thorough biography but a great portrait of the critical importance Churchill played in the early days of world war 2. If nothing else, the reader comes away with a firm understanding of what an important role Churchill plays in the history of the world. He didn't win the war against Hitler but he very importantly didn't loose it. He was surrounded by people who were ready to capitulate to the Germans but he had the forsight to realize this would mean disaster. Plus he has the most bad-ass quotes of any English speaking politician in history. "I have nothing to give but blood, toil, tears and sweat." and in the same speech: "You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival."
That's exactly what you want to hear from your elected leaders in May of 1940.
That's exactly what you want to hear from your elected leaders in May of 1940.
January 2, 2023
This was a pretty good, short recounting of Churchill’s takeover of the British government and the beginning of WWII. The interesting title focuses on Churchill’s matter of fact speech to the British people that he was offering no flowery future of easily defeating the enemy, but rather “blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
It also recaps some of the correspondence between Churchill and other world leaders, such as Roosevelt discussing the need for America to enter the war. The support for France, and other European countries.
Overall pretty Good, informative, and short enough not to wade into boring details.
It also recaps some of the correspondence between Churchill and other world leaders, such as Roosevelt discussing the need for America to enter the war. The support for France, and other European countries.
Overall pretty Good, informative, and short enough not to wade into boring details.
October 14, 2021
Crónica de una época crucial de la Historia, la respuesta a la invasión nazi de Europa, a través de sus personajes esenciales y, en particular, de Winston Churchill, de su liderazgo y las dificultades y obstáculos a las que se enfrentó, con el hilo conductor de sus discursos, y su trascendencia real en la evolución de los acontecimientos. Apasionante y muy ameno. Otra pequeña joya histórica del autor.
April 8, 2020
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Dire Warning: Churchill?s First Speech as Prime Minister by John R. Lukacsis a focused account of Churchill's actions and thoughts leading up to the beginnings of WWII and his early speeches, for which he is so well known, to raise the spirits of the British population. Many have said he was the right person at the right place at the right time. The author sets the stage by explaining how Churchill's predecessors had bet the farm, so to speak, on reaching an agreement with Hitler and then, even worse, actually trusted him at his word that there would be no more territorial demands by Hitler and the Nazis! After that blunder became obvious for what it was, the British government turned over and Churchill was asked to form a new government. Winston Churchill, more than most at that time, knew that Hitler absolutely could not be trusted. He was also in a minority that correctly predicted problems with Stalin and Russia after the war's conclusion was on the horizon. Churchill is very well known as a talented orator and his speeches are best appreciated when spoken, as from an original recording or when spoken by a good narrator on an audio book. The only negative to me was that, because it was so focused, it was relatively short and many more speeches were coming. Definitely recommended!
November 26, 2018
A succinct account of the time surrounding Churchill's first speech as Prime Minister.
A few notes:
- Lukacs describes Churchill as someone who is all too rare in history: a man who possessed the great virtue of magnanimity, and explains how Churchill used that virtue effectively to "bear providential results." See, e.g., his treatment of N. Chamberlain once Churchill became PM.
- Although not religious, Churchill believed that he was an instrument in the hands of Providence (see, e.g., his war memoirs, in which he notes that he had been "walking with destiny" in preparing for his role as the leader who would lead his country and the free world to victory over the Axis powers.)
- Churchill knew that without victory in WWII, there would be "no survival."
- Churchill never underrated Hitler or Germany's armed forces. Nor was he shortsighted about the danger of Russia's presence in the middle of Europe. Indeed, he was full of anxiety that he could not persuade the Americans (not FDR, not Eisenhower, and for some time, not even Pres. Truman) to be concerned with the division of Europe with Stalinist Russia.
A few notes:
- Lukacs describes Churchill as someone who is all too rare in history: a man who possessed the great virtue of magnanimity, and explains how Churchill used that virtue effectively to "bear providential results." See, e.g., his treatment of N. Chamberlain once Churchill became PM.
- Although not religious, Churchill believed that he was an instrument in the hands of Providence (see, e.g., his war memoirs, in which he notes that he had been "walking with destiny" in preparing for his role as the leader who would lead his country and the free world to victory over the Axis powers.)
- Churchill knew that without victory in WWII, there would be "no survival."
- Churchill never underrated Hitler or Germany's armed forces. Nor was he shortsighted about the danger of Russia's presence in the middle of Europe. Indeed, he was full of anxiety that he could not persuade the Americans (not FDR, not Eisenhower, and for some time, not even Pres. Truman) to be concerned with the division of Europe with Stalinist Russia.
November 14, 2012
La edición de Turner está llena de erratas y la traducción no es muy buena. Mejor leerlo en inglés si es posible.
April 26, 2016
Astute, insightful, enlightening.
June 16, 2022
Churchill is one of my idols. His speeches are historic! A good read.
September 4, 2022
I loved this recounting of Churchill's rise to office and his first famous speeches.
Lukacs writes about the past, aware his audience knows what happens, with a remarkable amount of suspense. It was a page-turner, which I think is saying a lot since, for some, history is stodgy. He writes as well as any Professor would expect of his History students...using quotes and footnotes to back up his observations. I found it did not break the flow of the narrative, which invariably happens, when writing non-fiction. For that achievement alone - this deserves 4 stars.
Churchill was the right man, at the right time and his words echo around the world... to this very day, to our time.
Unfortunately, democracy is being threatened again....
Currently, Europe is facing an aggressive Soviet lunatic, bent on greed - or more accurately on a ruthless, antiquated preoccupation of expansion. Putin is a traditionalist, of the worst kind, wanting to restore Russia to the 'glory days' of the USSR. He will stop at nothing to fulfill this dream that has become a nightmare for everyone else. Putin has destroyed his and his people's reputations on the global scale - and no amount of bots, disinformation or propaganda will change that fact.
I will look forward to reading more of Lukacs re-telling of history.
Lukacs writes about the past, aware his audience knows what happens, with a remarkable amount of suspense. It was a page-turner, which I think is saying a lot since, for some, history is stodgy. He writes as well as any Professor would expect of his History students...using quotes and footnotes to back up his observations. I found it did not break the flow of the narrative, which invariably happens, when writing non-fiction. For that achievement alone - this deserves 4 stars.
Churchill was the right man, at the right time and his words echo around the world... to this very day, to our time.
Unfortunately, democracy is being threatened again....
Currently, Europe is facing an aggressive Soviet lunatic, bent on greed - or more accurately on a ruthless, antiquated preoccupation of expansion. Putin is a traditionalist, of the worst kind, wanting to restore Russia to the 'glory days' of the USSR. He will stop at nothing to fulfill this dream that has become a nightmare for everyone else. Putin has destroyed his and his people's reputations on the global scale - and no amount of bots, disinformation or propaganda will change that fact.
I will look forward to reading more of Lukacs re-telling of history.
September 28, 2021
Churchill lived a long life and made a lot of speeches. But his three most famous, "Blood Toil Sweat and Tears," "The Finest Hour," and "We will Fight on the Beaches," were all delivered within 6 weeks of each other and were instrumental in his meteoric rise from "oh, that guy again" to the greatest wartime leader of the 20th century.
May 11, 2023
A short book which focuses on Churchill’s famous speech. There is so much information about WW2, and I appreciate how the author chose to focus on one area but still provide plenty of background information and context. I would actually recommend this as YA book.
February 23, 2018
Great historical perspective on Churchill
March 1, 2018
A good summary of Churchill’s speeches. Do not expect any, or almost any, information that is not important for the context of those speeches.
January 17, 2019
Enjoyable and concise examination of Churchill’s first weeks at PM in 1940. It’s a short of book for a very impressive speech
January 20, 2019
I listened to the audiobook version. Simply fantastic. The actor reading was superb.
May 6, 2020
Only words. But what words.
August 28, 2021
An insightful supplement for learning about how Churchill used the english language to rally and mobilize his countrymen.
Read
January 13, 2022it was a good book, and i thought Winston Churchill was a great leader.
February 6, 2017
Biografía mínima de Churchill. Muy bien resumida, práctica y fácil de leer.
June 8, 2024
I learned a good deal about Churchill from this book. I had only a basic knowledge of his role in WWII and this book was very informative. I hadn't realized he was such a profound writer, and his speeches were his own words. He was also a man who under Hitler and how a German victory would change the face of the world in more ways than people realized. A very good read.
July 17, 2012
"Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Dire Warning" covers some of the same ground that Lukacs has plowed in earlier (and much longer) books, notably "Five Days in London: May 1940" and "The Duel: The Eighty-Day Struggle Between Churchill and Hitler".
In May 1940, Churchill had been proved right about Hitler after all and Parliament had reluctantly elected him Prime Minister of a national unity government. Very few people were wholehearted supporters, many in his own party distrusted him and did not expect him to last long in his new post. In one of his shortest speeches ever, he did what few politicians ever manage to do: in words that still move us, he delivered a dose of unfiltered bad news, stated his aims, and made no promises or guarantees as to the outcome.
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have
before us an ordeal of the most greivous kind. We have before us many,
many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask what is our
policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all
our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war
against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable
catalogue of human crime. that is our policy. you ask what is our aim?
I can answer in one word: it is victory, victory at all costs, victory
in spite of terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for
without victory there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival
for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has
stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that
mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with
buoyancy and hope. I feel that our cause will not be suffered to fail
among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I
say, come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
His command of such language was one of Churchill's primary assets in this ordeal along with his understanding of Hitler, his adamantine will to never compromise or surrender, and #oddly# the loyalty that he received from his former opponent, Neville Chamberlain. The private letters to President Roosevelt #who was another intended audience for these now-famous speeches# and the deliberations and dissensions inside his own Cabinet make for a fascinating private counterpoint to the public speeches. Grave consequences for almost everyone in the world hung for those few months on what Churchill did and said in both spheres. Interestingly, Churchill was not particularly comfortable or very good at speaking for a radio audience. The Dunkirk speech was enthusiastically recieved, but his "blood, toil, tears and sweat" speech was not broadcast and his famous "finest hour" speech on June 18 fell a bit flat. It was months later, in printed form, that those words began to circulate and reverberate in print with effects well beyond the British Isles.
One new element that I don't believe Lukacs covers in the longer books is the material in chapter 3 on British public opinion compiled from the Mass Observation reports, a huge undertaking in the very early days of opinion polling.
As always, Lukacs regularly inserts into his narrative trenchant observations about the discipline of History and the practice of writing it. This book is highly recommended for fans of Churchill, fans of Lukacs, or for students of rhetoric, statesmanship, or the Second World War. Even if you are none of the above, you might enjoy this book merely as a very dramatic true story about one of the most pivotal moments in history.
In May 1940, Churchill had been proved right about Hitler after all and Parliament had reluctantly elected him Prime Minister of a national unity government. Very few people were wholehearted supporters, many in his own party distrusted him and did not expect him to last long in his new post. In one of his shortest speeches ever, he did what few politicians ever manage to do: in words that still move us, he delivered a dose of unfiltered bad news, stated his aims, and made no promises or guarantees as to the outcome.
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have
before us an ordeal of the most greivous kind. We have before us many,
many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask what is our
policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all
our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war
against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable
catalogue of human crime. that is our policy. you ask what is our aim?
I can answer in one word: it is victory, victory at all costs, victory
in spite of terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for
without victory there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival
for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has
stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that
mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with
buoyancy and hope. I feel that our cause will not be suffered to fail
among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I
say, come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
His command of such language was one of Churchill's primary assets in this ordeal along with his understanding of Hitler, his adamantine will to never compromise or surrender, and #oddly# the loyalty that he received from his former opponent, Neville Chamberlain. The private letters to President Roosevelt #who was another intended audience for these now-famous speeches# and the deliberations and dissensions inside his own Cabinet make for a fascinating private counterpoint to the public speeches. Grave consequences for almost everyone in the world hung for those few months on what Churchill did and said in both spheres. Interestingly, Churchill was not particularly comfortable or very good at speaking for a radio audience. The Dunkirk speech was enthusiastically recieved, but his "blood, toil, tears and sweat" speech was not broadcast and his famous "finest hour" speech on June 18 fell a bit flat. It was months later, in printed form, that those words began to circulate and reverberate in print with effects well beyond the British Isles.
One new element that I don't believe Lukacs covers in the longer books is the material in chapter 3 on British public opinion compiled from the Mass Observation reports, a huge undertaking in the very early days of opinion polling.
As always, Lukacs regularly inserts into his narrative trenchant observations about the discipline of History and the practice of writing it. This book is highly recommended for fans of Churchill, fans of Lukacs, or for students of rhetoric, statesmanship, or the Second World War. Even if you are none of the above, you might enjoy this book merely as a very dramatic true story about one of the most pivotal moments in history.
February 11, 2021
A short book on Churchill's preparation for the ascension to power that would lead to the end of Britain as serious world power. A man so insignificant that Hitler could not be bothered to grant him an audience managed to claim the leadership of the British Empire and goad them into a war with a superior force and to lead the Allies in the execution of civilians that would only be beaten by America with the destruction of Japan.
July 22, 2008
Few men have used the English language with such grace and to such good ends as Winston Churchill. John Lukacs focuses on the key phrase in Churchill’s first speech before Parliament as Prime Minister to provide some wonderful insights into both Churchill’s thinking and the nation’s state of mind as continental Europe crumbled before the onslaught of Hitler’s armies and Britain began to realize it was the last, lone defender of the free world.
Churchill’s speech was little appreciated at the time. In fact, the man was himself Prime Minister almost by default. Chamberlain was still the leader of the Conservative Party, Halifax probably could have had the post had he really wanted it since he was the first choice of King George VI, and it was only through Labour’s insistence that they would not join a national government unless it was led by Churchill that the question was finally decided. One of the many telling details Lukacs reveals is that Chamberlain was wildly applauded when he entered the House to hear Churchill speak on May 13, 1940; Churchill’s entrance was mostly ignored.
The speech was significant, Lukacs says, not so much for its poetry as for what it tells us about Churchill’s vision of history as it shaped his leadership both throughout the war and afterward. Early on, Churchill recognized the power of Hitler’s war machine and the strength of the German nation. He also had a truly terrifying vision of a world plunged into darkness by the very possible Nazi victory in Europe. The cold, black science of Fascism would mean the end of civilization, and Churchill knew that Britain was at the very beginning of a long, hard struggle whose outcome was far from certain.
Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds
Churchill’s speech was little appreciated at the time. In fact, the man was himself Prime Minister almost by default. Chamberlain was still the leader of the Conservative Party, Halifax probably could have had the post had he really wanted it since he was the first choice of King George VI, and it was only through Labour’s insistence that they would not join a national government unless it was led by Churchill that the question was finally decided. One of the many telling details Lukacs reveals is that Chamberlain was wildly applauded when he entered the House to hear Churchill speak on May 13, 1940; Churchill’s entrance was mostly ignored.
The speech was significant, Lukacs says, not so much for its poetry as for what it tells us about Churchill’s vision of history as it shaped his leadership both throughout the war and afterward. Early on, Churchill recognized the power of Hitler’s war machine and the strength of the German nation. He also had a truly terrifying vision of a world plunged into darkness by the very possible Nazi victory in Europe. The cold, black science of Fascism would mean the end of civilization, and Churchill knew that Britain was at the very beginning of a long, hard struggle whose outcome was far from certain.
Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds
July 7, 2013
Winston Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister in May 13, 1940 is chronicled in this short, but enjoyable book. At that
time Churchill believed that Hitler was winning the war in Europe. Czechoslovakia was essentially gone. Poland, Denmark
and Norway had all been invaded earlier by German forces. Britain and France had joined in the war against Germany.
Throughout the 1930’s, as a member of the House of Commons, Churchill had consistently warned of the danger
stemming from the German rearmament, presumably in preparation for war. His warnings fell on deaf ears. During the
latter years of the 1930’s British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain championed a policy of appeasement toward Nazi
Germany but eventually began the rearmament of England.
On May 10, 1940 Germany began its invasion of Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and France. Neville Chamberlain’s
government fell, he resigned as Prime Minister and, at the request of King George VI, Churchill took over to form a new
government.
Britain needed a string leader and Churchill’s job now was to inspire the British people to persevere and win the war. The
book provides an interesting perspective on the times and people involved.
On a side note, according to Wikipedia, the American rock band Blood, Sweat and Tears was named after the 1963
Johnny Cash album of the same title. Cash’s 1963 album title was inspired by the Churchill quote from May 13, 1940!
time Churchill believed that Hitler was winning the war in Europe. Czechoslovakia was essentially gone. Poland, Denmark
and Norway had all been invaded earlier by German forces. Britain and France had joined in the war against Germany.
Throughout the 1930’s, as a member of the House of Commons, Churchill had consistently warned of the danger
stemming from the German rearmament, presumably in preparation for war. His warnings fell on deaf ears. During the
latter years of the 1930’s British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain championed a policy of appeasement toward Nazi
Germany but eventually began the rearmament of England.
On May 10, 1940 Germany began its invasion of Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and France. Neville Chamberlain’s
government fell, he resigned as Prime Minister and, at the request of King George VI, Churchill took over to form a new
government.
Britain needed a string leader and Churchill’s job now was to inspire the British people to persevere and win the war. The
book provides an interesting perspective on the times and people involved.
On a side note, according to Wikipedia, the American rock band Blood, Sweat and Tears was named after the 1963
Johnny Cash album of the same title. Cash’s 1963 album title was inspired by the Churchill quote from May 13, 1940!
January 7, 2014
A speech, little noted at the time, becomes a powerful gift to the ages
One of Churchill's most famous phrases comes from one of his shortest speeches - his first speech as Prime Minister delivered in Parliament as German forces were literally destroying the French army. The first paragraphs are administrative, describing his assembled government.
The last paragraph is gold, pure gold.
Churchill lays out his war aims and makes it clear that it will be hard, "an ordeal of the most grievous kind." He identifies the Nazis as "a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime" and notes the policy as victory no matter the cost because "without victory, there is no survival." He bids any and all allies to come join Britain.
There, in a few powerful sentences written by Churchill himself...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...
One of Churchill's most famous phrases comes from one of his shortest speeches - his first speech as Prime Minister delivered in Parliament as German forces were literally destroying the French army. The first paragraphs are administrative, describing his assembled government.
The last paragraph is gold, pure gold.
Churchill lays out his war aims and makes it clear that it will be hard, "an ordeal of the most grievous kind." He identifies the Nazis as "a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime" and notes the policy as victory no matter the cost because "without victory, there is no survival." He bids any and all allies to come join Britain.
There, in a few powerful sentences written by Churchill himself...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2010/...
January 1, 2009
John Lukacs is an idiosyncratic historian at times, and this book allows him to indulge his idiosyncrasies. Ostensibly, this is the story of Churchill's "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech. Beyond that, it is partly a history of the early Second World War, partly a study of Churchill's rhetoric and leadership style, and partly a light-handed hagiography. (Lukacs is willing to see Churchill's faults, but also willing to hand-wave a bit by invoking Churchill's special character and powers of perception.) He also skirts providentialism, using forms of the word "Providence" more than once without actually coming out and saying what he's thinking. It's an odd little essay, but I think it generally works. At any rate, Lukacs has the clout to pull it off.
April 5, 2009
John Lukacs is such a wonderful historian. His narrative style is dramatic and informative and he has the ability to isolate crucial historical events, in this case the disaster of the fall of France in 1940, tie it to one speech of Winston Churchill's and thereby illuminate the times. Much like his earlier book, Five Days in London: May 1940, here Lukacs makes perfectly clear the gravity of the situation in Britain as France fell. The possibility of a victorious Nazi invasion of Britain with all of Europe as part of the Third Reich was too horrible to contemplate but also too real a possibility.
April 1, 2022
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Dire Warning: Churchill's First Speech as Prime Minister, by John Lukacs (2008, audiobook 3 hours). This short book—an essay—is a tight look at Churchill’s less than universally welcomed ascension to power in Great Britain at the beginning of WWII and his stiff resolve in confronting German aggression as exemplified by his Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat speech. Excellent summary of this speech which, interestingly, was not universally appreciated at the time, but which underscored a resolve that in the moment resided in Winston but not necessarily either the people or the government for which he was speaking.
July 26, 2011
Another great small book from the master historian of 20th century Europe. Using the title speech and others delivered in that compact period of 1940 as a backdrop, Lukacs reinforces some of the important themes of his body of work: the non-inevitability of historical outcomes (anti-determinism), the admirable character of Churchill (and its world-historical importance), and, to a lesser extent, Lukacs' view of Hitler as a revolutionary nationalist.
Read this and other of Lukacs works on these themes.
Read this and other of Lukacs works on these themes.
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