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D**C
Epic with a capital 'E'
Winston Churchill's "Closing the Ring" is a masterpiece of the actual words by the actual man who lead the actual effort against Germany in World War II. Any discussion of this book should begin with the author's name, not the title, because the source makes the material matter more.You are there, in the moments that changed the world. History is relayed, stunning in its depth even if you have studied the era. If the size of the book is daunting, know that each chapter has its own table of contents so each topic can receive the focus the reader wishes to give it.Churchill wrote six volumes to recount World War II. I'm confident you can start with any of them because I began my walk with Winston right here, in the fifth.The constant thread through these hundreds of pages is that of preparing for the Normandy invasion. June 6, 1944 marks the end of this book. Never has the journey to the destination been more interesting, more fact-filled, more clear, or more complete. No part of the campaign is ignored, from the Atlantic to Pacific, Mediterranean to Baltic, land, sea or air.Maps were crisp and highly readable on the Kindle edition, something not true for some past reviewers. This work also contains actual text of telegrams and letters between leaders as well as to some field commanders.I trust and wholly recommend this first-hand account with its vivid detail and exceptional insight. "Closing the Ring" opens the mind to history, war, and character. Thank you, Mr. Winston Churchill, for skillfully sharing, and shaping, these moments of history for us.
E**M
Perspective
Churchill provides a perspective on the war that no one else could. Long, but it was a long war. Will look for his series on WWI when i'm finished with this one on WWII. A great read.
H**N
Excellent UK-focused view of WW2
As with his other volumes in this series, Churchill's Closing the Ring presents an excellent overview of WW2 from the British perspective. This volume covers 1943-44 with an emphasis on the Italian campaign which had heavy UK participation and was particularly championed by Churchill. The most interesting part of the book is the leadership dynamics between Churchill, FDR, and Stalin as they all had their own particular focus on various aspects of the war even as they tried to work together as allies. Those interested in other areas of the war, such as the campaigns in Russia or the Pacific, may be disappointed as these are not discussed in the same depth as Italy, Burma, or the lead-up to D-Day. This is mainly because the British involvement in these areas was comparatively minor (with exception of Britain's role in supplying Russia with essential military supplies via the Arctic and Iran). Still highly recommended.
I**C
Great Beyond Words -- Required Reading
Winston Churchill's "" is the 5th volume in his "Second World War" historical series. As with the other volumes, it's inconceivably great, awe inspiring, and brings World War II to life. It forms just one segment of the timeline he's documenting and really can't be read stand-alone. So, start with the first book. I'm rating it (and the series) at an Excellent 5 stars out of 5.The volumes in Winston Churchill's "Second World War" series are:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
A**R
An extraordinary summation of the allies closing on the Third Reich.
Churchill describes the end stages of the war as only he could...if words were bombs...Hitler never stood a chance. Churchill was the force that carried Great Britain though it's darkest days. His seven volume history of the WWII is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the war and how England persevered against terrible odds.
E**I
Excellent in all respects
I first read this when I was 18 which was many years ago. My paperback copy fell apart over the years so I bought it for the Kindle. It is run reading it again after the passage of many years. I am fascinated this time not by the military history but rather for what it reveals about the attitudes that Churchill had towards the British people. Of course, we have vastly different expectations of our leaders now than we did then. I find it endlessly fascinating and am working my way through the complete 6 volume series. I recommend it without reservation. He writes well and it is a good read. I figure it will take me 4 months of reading an hour or so every night to work my way through all 6 volumes. So it is not for the faint hearted.
K**R
Exceptional history of World War 2
An excellent history of the war. Quite detailed which is it's strength but also a weakness. It can make for a long, tough read.
M**R
The long perspective on WWII.
Churchill on Churchill is a great read for the fan of biographical history. In this day of sound bites and one liners this is so intense and broad based as to be a page turner in the truest Shakesperean tragic tradition. We know the results but the process is engaging. A great complement to writers such as Barbara Tuchman. A panorama of history with geopolitics from a different age and time.
M**D
Highly informative.
It tells of the communications of WW11. The planning and the shortages.
A**R
Required reading for students of WW2 history
History from a great statesman and historian
L**O
Together with Cesar and Thucydides: history, told by one who makes and understands it
I admit: the moment I bought "the gathering storm" (Vol 1) I still held the prejudice that the Literature Nobel prize was awarded to the former British prime minister for winning the war. After few pages and, even more deeply, in the following three months till after finishing "Triumph and tragedy" (vol 6), I felt I was reading something extraordinaire and now I regret that the tale is finished. It reads as a thriller, a very complicated one, and it's unbelievable that a book made mostly by official letters and directives can catch your attention so completely. The sense of that historical period is given with the fresh feelings of the precise moments things happened but always with a mind that could read the real meaning of events, with an accurate analysis of the past ones and a lucid forecast of the ones to come. Together, you can catch the spirit of a first class politician, a statesman, capable of operating with whatever scanty material he has, of taking difficult decisions implying sometimes sacrifices of immense gravity in view of the least damage for his people. As I wrote in the title: when the tale of history is told by one who makes and understands it, then it lasts forever
T**M
As advertised
An excellent read
K**R
Terrific read.
Great addition to the other volumes on churchills war. A must read for history of world war II.
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