The Second World War (Churchill)
Encyclopedia
The Second World War is a history, originally published in six volumes, of the period from the end of the First World War
to July 1945, written by Winston Churchill
. It was largely responsible for his being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Churchill labeled the "moral of the work" as follows: "In War: Resolution, In Defeat: Defiance, In Victory: Magnanimity, In Peace: Goodwill"
These arrangements became a source of controversy when The Second World War began appearing in 1948. Churchill was not an academic historian
, he was a politician, and was in fact Leader of the Opposition, still intending to return to office, so his access to Cabinet
, military and diplomatic records, which was denied to other historians, was questioned.
What was unknown at the time was the fact that Churchill had done a deal with Clement Attlee
's Labour
government which came to office in 1945. Recognising Churchill's enormous prestige, Attlee agreed to allow him – or rather his research assistants – free access to all documents, provided that no official secrets were revealed, the documents were not used for party political purposes and the typescript was vetted by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Norman Brook. Brook took a close interest in the books and rewrote some sections himself to ensure that nothing was said which might harm British interests or embarrass the government.
Churchill's privileged access to documents and his unrivalled personal knowledge gave him an advantage over all other historians of the Second World War for many years. The books had enormous sales in both Britain and the United States and made Churchill a rich man for the first time.
While Churchill's name appears on the book's cover as the author, he did not write the book alone: it was "put together by young researchers".
It was not until after Churchill's death and the opening of the archives that some of the deficiencies of his work became apparent. Some of these were inherent in the difficult position Churchill occupied as a former Prime Minister and a serving politician. He could not reveal military secrets, such as the work of the codebreakers at Bletchley Park
, or the planning of the atomic bomb.
As stated in the author's introduction, the book is focussed on the British war effort. Other theatres of war are described largely as a background. The descriptions of the fighting on the Eastern Front
, and, to a lesser extent, of the Pacific War
, are sketchy. Although he is usually fair, some personal vendettas are aired – for example, against Sir Stafford Cripps
, at one time considered by some the "only possible alternative wartime Prime Minister" to Churchill.
As historian John Keegan
notes in his 1985 introduction to the series, some deficiencies in the Churchill accounts are due to the lack of still secret Ultra
intelligence. Keegan also notes the uniqueness of Churchill's account, since neither Roosevelt, Stalin nor Hitler wrote any first-hand accounts of the war. Churchill's books were put together collaboratively, as he actively solicited others involved in the war for their papers and remembrances.
Full paperback edition in twelve volumes
Condensed edition in four volumes
The Second World War is also available in a single-volume abridgement.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
to July 1945, written by Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. It was largely responsible for his being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Churchill labeled the "moral of the work" as follows: "In War: Resolution, In Defeat: Defiance, In Victory: Magnanimity, In Peace: Goodwill"
Writing
When Churchill assumed office in 1940, he fully intended to write a history of the war then beginning. He said several times: "I will leave judgements on this matter to history – but I will be one of the historians." To circumvent the rules against the use of official documents, he took the precaution throughout the war of having a weekly summary of correspondence, minutes, memoranda and other documents printed in galleys and headed "Prime Minister's personal minutes". These were then stored at his home for future use. As well, Churchill actually wrote or dictated a number of letters and memoranda with the specific intention of placing his views on the record for later use as a historian.These arrangements became a source of controversy when The Second World War began appearing in 1948. Churchill was not an academic historian
Winston Churchill as historian
The British statesman Winston Churchill was a prolific writer throughout his life, and many of his works were historical. His better-known works include: Marlborough: His Life and Times, The World Crisis , The Second World War, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature, and A History of the...
, he was a politician, and was in fact Leader of the Opposition, still intending to return to office, so his access to Cabinet
Cabinet of the United Kingdom
The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is the collective decision-making body of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, composed of the Prime Minister and some 22 Cabinet Ministers, the most senior of the government ministers....
, military and diplomatic records, which was denied to other historians, was questioned.
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
's Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
government which came to office in 1945. Recognising Churchill's enormous prestige, Attlee agreed to allow him – or rather his research assistants – free access to all documents, provided that no official secrets were revealed, the documents were not used for party political purposes and the typescript was vetted by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Norman Brook. Brook took a close interest in the books and rewrote some sections himself to ensure that nothing was said which might harm British interests or embarrass the government.
Churchill's privileged access to documents and his unrivalled personal knowledge gave him an advantage over all other historians of the Second World War for many years. The books had enormous sales in both Britain and the United States and made Churchill a rich man for the first time.
While Churchill's name appears on the book's cover as the author, he did not write the book alone: it was "put together by young researchers".
It was not until after Churchill's death and the opening of the archives that some of the deficiencies of his work became apparent. Some of these were inherent in the difficult position Churchill occupied as a former Prime Minister and a serving politician. He could not reveal military secrets, such as the work of the codebreakers at Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is an estate located in the town of Bletchley, in Buckinghamshire, England, which currently houses the National Museum of Computing...
, or the planning of the atomic bomb.
As stated in the author's introduction, the book is focussed on the British war effort. Other theatres of war are described largely as a background. The descriptions of the fighting on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
, and, to a lesser extent, of the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, are sketchy. Although he is usually fair, some personal vendettas are aired – for example, against Sir Stafford Cripps
Stafford Cripps
Sir Richard Stafford Cripps was a British Labour politician of the first half of the 20th century. During World War II he served in a number of positions in the wartime coalition, including Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Minister of Aircraft Production...
, at one time considered by some the "only possible alternative wartime Prime Minister" to Churchill.
Legacy
The Second World War can still be read with great profit by students of the period, provided it is seen mainly as a memoir by a leading participant rather than as an authoritative history by a professional and detached historian. The Second World War, particularly the period between 1940 and 1942 when Britain was fighting with only the support of the Empire and a few Allies, was after all the climax of Churchill's career and his personal account of the inside story of those days is unique and invaluable.As historian John Keegan
John Keegan
Sir John Keegan OBE FRSL is a British military historian, lecturer, writer and journalist. He has published many works on the nature of combat between the 14th and 21st centuries concerning land, air, maritime, and intelligence warfare, as well as the psychology of battle.-Life and career:John...
notes in his 1985 introduction to the series, some deficiencies in the Churchill accounts are due to the lack of still secret Ultra
Ultra
Ultra was the designation adopted by British military intelligence in June 1941 for wartime signals intelligence obtained by "breaking" high-level encrypted enemy radio and teleprinter communications at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. "Ultra" eventually became the standard...
intelligence. Keegan also notes the uniqueness of Churchill's account, since neither Roosevelt, Stalin nor Hitler wrote any first-hand accounts of the war. Churchill's books were put together collaboratively, as he actively solicited others involved in the war for their papers and remembrances.
Editions
First edition (hardcover) in six volumes- The Gathering Storm (1948)
- Their Finest Hour (1949)
- The Grand Alliance (1950)
- The Hinge of Fate (1950)
- Closing the Ring (1951)
- Triumph and Tragedy (1953)
Full paperback edition in twelve volumes
- The Gathering Storm
- The Twilight War
- The Fall of France
- The Commonwealth Alone
- Germany Drives East
- War Comes to America
- The Onslaught of Japan
- Victory in Africa
- The Invasion of Italy
- Assault from the Air
- The Tide of Victory
- Triumph and Tragedy
Condensed edition in four volumes
- Milestones to Disaster
- Alone
- The Grand Alliance
- Triumph and Tragedy
The Second World War is also available in a single-volume abridgement.