There has been discussion of this book so I am forwarding this review that I have received. I have a copy to read and review, but have not gotten to it yet. Jim Gallen
---------- Forwarded Message ---------- From: "LindaL" <[email protected]> To: "LindaL" <[email protected]> Subject: Book Review: Citizens of London by Lynne Olson Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:05:27 -0500 Subtitled “The Americans who stood with Britain in its darkest, finest hour”, this is a history book that brings the time and the place alive in a way that captured my interest and held it until the very last page. This was a rather slow read for me but I relished every detail and learned a lot about the realities life for the British people during the dark days of WW2 and the intricacies of international diplomacy.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The points of view of the three Americans featured in this book make lively and interesting reading. Edward R. Murrow was the radio reporter with the deep distinctive voice who walked the streets during the constant blitz bombings noting human interest details for his radio broadcast. Averell Harriman was the wealthy businessman who honed his diplomatic skills while running the Lend-Lease program. And John Gilbert Winant, former governor of New Hampshire who was the American Ambassador, soon earned the love and respect of the British people. There was a war going on – a horrible war. The people of London suffered through strict rationing of food for six whole years and for a while there were daily bombings costing hundreds of lives and forcing them to flee to bomb shelters, not knowing if their homes would be still be standing the next day. And yet, in America, until the bombing of the American Fleet in Hawaii in 1941, there was stubborn resistance to getting involved in the war. Diplomacy was essential as the war proceeded and there was much jockeying for position between the two nations. Britain needed American support as it bravely resisted Hitler. The war was also a background for the personal lives of the three Americans featured in this book. They had love affairs and political triumphs and setbacks and experienced the changes that occurred when America entered the war and thousands of American troops were stationed on British soil. The author makes wartime London real. It seemed as if I was right there, a fly on the wall, in Winston Churchill’s home with his family, in the bars and cafes, and at the radio broadcasting station where Edward R. Murrow kept the world informed as to what was going on. And I learned a lot about Franklin D. Roosevelt and the international politics of the time. I loved this book and was sorry it ended. And I feel enriched by the experience of reading it. Highly recommended. ____________________________________________________________ Medical Insurance Click to find great rates on medical insurance, save big, shop here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/c?cp=ZcrAgrk828_t6Ksvr6tFuQAAJz0UBeGwTO0uZAqrMjPsaGp-AAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQVgAAAAA= -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ChurchillChat" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/churchillchat?hl=en.
