The Duel: Hitler Vs. Churchill, 10 May - 31 July 1940

John Lukacs

Editions

Review

Why this title?  The author’s contention is that from the day Churchill came to power (coincidentally the start of the German offensive against the Western Powers) until the end of July 1940, when Hitler first intimated to his generals that the Soviet Union would have to be beaten before Britain, the course of the war depended on these two men and on each one’s understanding of the other.  Hitler had had a series of unprecedented triumphs, and stunned the world with the speed at which he crushed resistance in Holland and Belgium.  Now disaster was facing France, and Britain.  Churchill, despite threats from all sides, was determined to resist.  This is the story of how he managed to win over political opponents (this particular part of the story is recounted by the author in greater detail in the excellent  Five Days In London: May 1940 pbk £7.99), inspire the British people at a moment of mortal danger, and convince the rest of the world that Britain would stand firm against the Nazis.  It is also the story of how Hitler consistently underestimated Churchill.

In this painstaking - but highly readable - reconstruction of those extraordinary times, the author brings to life the turbulent Europe of 1940, and reveals the parts played by these two towering personalities.  A remarkable book. - review by Dan Fenton