Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
Andrew Roberts
|
|
Pages: 256 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0297843303
Pub: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Pub date: 2003-02-04
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 98935
Editorial Review:
To what extent did the outcome of the Second World War turn on the two very different personalities who led the two major combatant nations? This intriguing question is the subject of Andrew Roberts' Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership, published to tie in with the television series of the same name. Roberts, the author of the prize-winning Salisbury: Victorian Titan and, more recently, the highly acclaimed Napoleon and Wellington, sets out to identify the ingredients of successful leadership in peacetime and wartime.
The first half of the book takes us through the lives of the two men up to 1939, showing how both men had a strong sense of destiny and mission--indeed both put out a sort of mission statement (Churchill in his 1900 novel Savrola; Hitler in his Mein Kampf). Both men also had compelling powers of oratory and a carefully contrived political persona built around props (Churchill's cigar and homburg hat, Hitler's plain uniform), hideaway homes (Chartwell and the Berghof) and careful public relations. The second half of the book brings out their major differences during the war. Inevitably, Churchill's people-management skills and ability to listen to advice won out over Hitler's control-freakery and over-reliance on sycophants.
This is not one of Andrew Roberts' better books. It is not a particularly sophisticated analysis of the dynamics of leadership, and the story of the clash of these two titans has been told so often--most recently by John Lukacs--that there is not a lot more to be added. Roberts does provide some new information on Churchill's use of secret intelligence, but otherwise this is familiar fare--a tale certainly worth being told again, but perhaps not deserving the great puff on the dust jacket. --Miles Taylor
Reader Reviews:
Fascinating (17/26 people found this helpful)
An intruguing review of two of the world's most fascinating war leaders. Roberts makes valid points about the leaders and comes to a profound conclusion. The book is littered with evidence that's used to back up his argument, which he successfully puts forward, implying thorough research has gone into the book. I particularly liked this book due to the relevant and sometimes startling revelations that it makes. Roberts succeeds in making the book readable as well as not too simple. What the author has managed to do best is bring up very relevant points that have not been recognized to a great extent yet. The whole works is backed by hard evidence.
Overall a very revealing and thought-provoking book. Definitely a brilliant bit of work.
Similar Products
Winston Churchill's War Leadership (Vintage)
Napoleon and Wellington: The Long Duel
Salisbury: Victorian Titan (Phoenix Press)
Churchill: A Study in Greatness
Waterloo: Napoleon's Last Gamble (Making History)
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Society, Politics & Philosophy -> Social Sciences -> Sociology
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Political -> Political Leaders & Leadership
Books -> Subjects -> History -> Other Historical Subjects -> Historians -> Roberts, Andrew
Books -> Subjects -> History -> Political History -> Politicians
Books -> Subjects -> History -> General
Books -> Subjects -> History -> World History -> World War II 1939-1945 -> Battles & Campaigns
Books -> Subjects -> History -> World History -> World War II 1939-1945 -> Historical Figures -> Winston Churchill
Books -> Subjects -> History -> World History -> World War II 1939-1945 -> Historical Figures -> Adolf Hitler
uk-shops -> Education Resources -> Books -> Social Sciences -> Sociology