Chamberlain and the Lost Peace (A John Curtis book) |
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John Charmley
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Pages: 257 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0340508531
Pub: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Pub date: 1989-07-01
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1471402
Reader Reviews:
Tory cynicism? I think not! (16/18 people found this helpful)
For all those who wish to examine the origins of British involvement in the Second World War, this is an excellent place to start. Charmley's analysis challenges the popular view of Chamberlain and his fellow appeasers as "guilty men". Charmley is able to demonstrate that the policy of appeasement was a calculated, logical political decision that reflected the interests of Great Britain and her Empire. From Charmley's analysis, two key points stand out:
1. The war left Britain virtually bankrupt. Her Imperial possessions fell away soon afterwards, and the balance of power in Western Europe was threatened for over 50 years from the Bolshevist menace in the East.
2. Europe, the traditional hub of influence, paled in comparison to the status of the United States and the Soviet Union after hostilities ended. Britain was never again to regain her pre-war footing. The interests of Britain herself became subordinate to post-war constructs such as NATO and the UN. The Old Order in Europe which Churchill so vehemently praised, was extinguished.
Charmley's book seriously questions the value and necessity of the British decleration of war on September 3rd 1939, and it an essential addition to anyone with an interest in political and/or diplomatic history. This should be read in conjunction with A.J.P. Taylor's excellent thesis "Origins of the Second World War".
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Society, Politics & Philosophy -> Government & Politics -> International Relations
Books -> Subjects -> History -> General
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English