Citizens of London: American Heroes Who Stood with Britain in Its Most Challenging Time

jack: An important story about some figures in the background and centre stage during maybe the most important time of the 20th century

Canada on Aug 17, 2023

arthur banner: This book tells the story of three Americans who found themselves in London during WW2 and experienced the horror of the Blitz. As a result they bonded with the English people and supported the notion of having the United States come to the aid of its traditional ally. To involve Americans in another European war was not a popular idea with Americans, but the notion took hold as Americans identified with the British in their hour of need.
This story serves to illustrate a poorly defined concept, the special relationship. This was a relationship shared by the two countries, which was based on a common language and a common heritage. Although the author does not deal with the special relationship, per se, she comes to grips with the idea in all of its assumptions and ambiguities.
The idea of a special relationship arose in 1946 when Winston Churchill introduced the term during a speech given in Fulton Missouri at Westminster College. The primary purpose of the speech was to warn Americans about the Iron Curtain, a term introduced for the first time. It was carefully defined, in an effort to elicit America’s help in dealing with the new Russian agenda. The concept of a...

United States on Sep 09, 2015

mishmish: A detailed and fascinating work on the Americans who lived in London before, during and after the Blitz and played important roles there during World War II. The three main protagonists are Edward R. Murray a BBC broadcaster, John Gilbert Winant US ambassador to Britain and Averell Harriman who played different roles as a liaison between the US Government and the British. Also Churchill's changing relationship with Roosevelt is described in detail. Apart from the well-known names such as Eisenhower and de Gaulle, ordinary G.I.s and ordinary British people also shed a light on the love/hate relationships between Americans and the British. Amorous affairs flourish in the frenetic atmosphere of war-time London. England, in fact, is invaded, not by the German army as Hitler had hoped, but by the thousands of G.I.s who landed in Britain to prepare for D Day.
Well documented and fast paced this book is a must for anyone interested in World War II and the successes and strains between the allies preparing for the invasion of France and for the final victory over Germany.

France on Jun 29, 2014

Mrs. J. Dack: This fascinating book concentrates on three main characters in the Anglo-American relationship and takes them through the broad sweep of the events of WW 2. Before this book I'd only ever heard of one of them; Ed Murrow who even to a fifty year old Brit is still famous! Gil Winant? Averrel Harriman? Never heard of them before! This book puts that right and gives an absolutely fascinating account of the "live for today for tomorrow we may die" relationships that flourished in wartime Britain. Also of great surprise was how far these three were involved in the UK government's inner circle. This book totally engages you and the revelation about Winants end was truly shocking. An engrossing read from start to finish.

United Kingdom on May 17, 2014

Globe-trotter: This book tells the story of three Americans who worked in London during World War Two, and their efforts to raise the level of mutual understanding and respect between Britain and the US. The three are John Gilbert Winant, the American Ambassador to Britain; Edward Murrow, the CBS radio reporter; and Averell Harriman, who ran President Roosevelt's Lend-Lease programme in London. Murrow became famous in Britain and the States due to his radio broadcasts before and during the War, while the power-seeking Harriman went on to a successful political career after the War. But it is Winant, now virtually forgotten, who shines the brightest; his efforts to bridge the gap between Americans and Brits, and between Roosevelt and Churchill and their lieutenants, are explored in full. A great read, and highly recommended, as is Lynne Olson's other book, "Those Angry Days", which chronicles the struggle in the US in the years from the outbreak of World War Two to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour between those who felt that the US must provide aid to Britain and those who wanted to keep out of the War at any cost.

United Kingdom on Apr 14, 2014

Curtis C. Patrick, author: This stellar anthology, woven like a fine tribal tapestry, has already unleashed torrents of superlatives and accolades. It's just that we can't seem to say enough good things about Lynne Olson's documentary. I believe because it gets rarer and scarcer to find anybody willing to go to so much effort to verify so many minute details, books, statements, memos, letters and notes,then blend them into a readable, understandable, interesting, unique, personal, historically-accurate drama about 'The Americans who stood with Britain in it's darkest, finest hour.' These are the tales of unrelenting courage and patriotism; from the top down.

Where, not only average, ordinary citizens stood tall---but three uncommon men of authority in high positions in their socio-economic fields in their home country, America, quietly rose to their zenith in business, politics and philanthropic dedication. These three key leaders: Gil Wynant, Averell Harriman and Ed Murrow in the Top Tier, Olson followed with the Sub-set of No.4. and No.5., Dwight D. Eisenhower and Tommy Hitchcock.

When the Battle of Britain and the Normandy Invasion plans were drawn each had a vital part to play through a...

United States on Mar 04, 2014

Linda Sheean: This book was of particular interest to me since my father was a journalist covering World War II from London in the years 1937 - 1940, approximately. He knew Ed Murrow, Eric Severeid, met Winston Churchill, etc, in those perilous times.
The book is about the above mentioned politicians/journalists and also about the progress of the war as seen by them from London. The photographic cover of the book plainly delineates some of the main players in the action of the war: Winston Churchill, Harry Hopkins (FDR's assistant), John Winant (the American Ambassador to Great Britain), William Bullitt (Labour politican), and the First Lord of the Admiralty, A. V. Alexander. Winant and Churchill were particularly adamant that America should get into the war, whereas FDR was much against it - America just recovering from the Great Depression could not afford (he thought) to spends lots of money on guns, and shipping men overseas. As we all know, the Japanese by their action against Pearl Harbor, finally got FDR to act, before Great Britain got totally wiped out, and so the War was won by the West. (To sound a little Tolkien-ish about it.)
In the book are many charming anecdotes, and tales...

United Kingdom on Nov 21, 2012