Title: Nineteen Weeks -
Author: Norman Moss
Review: This book has a subtitle of America, Britain, and the Fateful Summer of 1940. It documents what was going on during, what would be known as, the battle of Britain. The author starts during and after WW1 to backfill the reader on what lead up to that dramatic summer. He does this with copious quotes from sources generated at that time. All of which are footnotes for the reader who wishes to do their own follow up research.
I feel that he accurately assessed the mood of all parties involved and more importantly the prevailing public opinion in both countries. I think a very fair view of the two main characters on the hot seats, FDR and Churchill, was put forth. There was no whitewashing of either side. They both had agendas and did whatever they thought was necessary to accomplish the desired results.
Even though I found some of the material to be tedious at times I enjoyed the book and found it to be very enlightening. Several RAF Bases, or other locations, were mentioned which I was assigned during my USAF career. I would also point out an error the author made on several occasions. He referred to the U S Air Force when it should have been the U S Army Air Corps.
I gave this book a Five Star rating.
I obtained this book from Amazon Kindle.
Thank you Frank for this review.
Synopsis: ‘Nineteen Weeks’ is Norman Moss’s riveting account of the events in 1940 that changed Britain and America forever.
The weeks between May and September 1940 saw Hitler’s stunning conquest of France, Britain’s struggle against the threat of invasion and conquest, and a passionate debate in the United States over the proper response to these events.
Two battles raged in that summer, both vital to Britain’s survival: the battle for Europe and then for mastery of the skies over Britain, and in America the battle for public and political opinion, between those who thought that America had a stake in the defeat of Hitler and the isolationists.
Author Moss moves swiftly between the battlefields of Europe and the halls of Congress, between struggle in the air and in American political convention halls. He gives us a fresh view of “our finest hour.”
When President Roosevelt and the movements of events turned the tide of popular opinion in America from isolationism towards help for Britain, the balance of world power was altered forever.
As Moss shows, the “special relationship” between Britain and America began in that brief, crucial period, setting the tenor of future American foreign policy. His lucid history offers a fascinating window on current world events.
“Vivid…a gripping account of the historic opening months of World War Two.” – WASHINGTON POST
“Engaging . . . a must for anyone supposing that American involvement in World War II began with Pearl Harbor.” — BOOKLIST
“A terrific history of a little-understood moment when freedom faced its darkest hour.” — NEW REPUBLIC
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Kindle Edition
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