World War II is full of many untold stories. When Churchill came to power as the Prime Minister, the Nazi’s blitzkrieg was overwhelming Europe with Britain as the next logical target for its complete European domination. The following Battle of Britain pitched the Nazi’s vaunted Luftwaffe with the scrappy Royal Air Force (RAF) as Britain was also preparing for the inevitable invasion across the English Channel.

Along with narrating the events that occur during this eventful period, the book focuses a lot on personal accounts and diaries of those who lived through this period, with especial focus on Winston Churchill himself and his inner circle. We got to witness Churchill’s mental fortitude throughout the whole ordeal but also those around him who kept Britain going.

So what does the book say about Churchill’s and Britain’s ability to withstand the overwhelming odd?

• Wild energy that became infectious. Allowed the Government to mobilize with urgency.
• Indomitable spirit. Transfered the fearlessness to the population and keeping the spirit up
• Oratorical power to inspire
• Supportive inner circle. Churchill knew his limit and kept people like Lord Beaverbrook to give him much needed counsel.

Some points that I find fascnating:

• The matchup between the RAF and Luftwaffe. The RAF thought they were outmatched so fought with more tenacity and fervor that it’s arrogant counterparts.
• Technological advances help to turn the tide of war. Britain’s inventions of radar, cryptology became indispensable to its war effort versus the German onslaught.
• There were so much political influencing happening as Churchill tried to bring the US into the war to turn the tide or the Nazi trying to find a way to get Britain to surrender and negotiate.

Churchill was a man with flawed characters but he was the exact wartime leader Britain needed to win the war. This is a good read for those who want to learn more about the Battle of Britain and the Blitz during World War II. We tend to gloss over a lot of the mundane details (clubbing during the Blitz, visiting the estate during the weekend to recharge) but these flesh out the personal experience and determination and defiance that finally allowed Britain to weather the tragedy.