I was a teenager during WW II and it was our very lives. We read papers, listened to the radio and knew the name of every battle, ship and airplane on both sides. It was interesting to note the differences between what was reported by newspapers and what the returning service men said. Churchill was a great hero in our minds and I am sure he would be a good read. It is also interesting to note the things different generations believe about the war and how each generation has bent some of the facts to suite their own purposes. Of course that is happening today also.
My Mom's Dad was 11 when the US entered the war (Dad's Dad was on Oahu during the whole war, but thats a story in and of itself) and he would always tell me the same things you mentioned. In fact, its due in large part to him why I'm a continuous student of history.
Every generation has done that with every major watershed moment in history. Some of it is merited as new facts are revealed, some is simply as you say, bent to shape their needs at the time.
I couldn't do it, I just can't find any real interest in history outside of Utah, particularly pre-1950's history. Kudos to you for finding a subject you enjoy and really diving into it. One of my New Years resolutions is to read more books.
Everyone has their own interests. I can talk most people ears off about US-Soviet relations from 1942-1991, but most people don't care. Much like your interest in Utah mining history.
Excellent work, Stephen. That is high on my list of works to read. I've read a bunch of biographies of Churchill, but not his own volumes.
I'd also like to read some more UT history, which has so far been very limited to some stuff about Porter Rockwell, some books on mining, and not much else.
It was always on my list of things to read too, but I never got around to it until my Aunt gave me the pictured set of first edition's. When I got them I was just finishing up
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire so I figured, "Well if now isn't the time, I have no idea when is."
I could have finished them much quicker had I just plowed through them, but I really wanted to study the material and I did a lot of research on the side while I was reading. Also, because the material is just so dense, I sometimes had to put it down for a bit and read something lighter.
If you have a real interest in the politics of the war, I highly recommend reading it. If what you want is detailed battle accounts, this isn't for you. Though Churchill did have quite the military mind, his role was policy and thats what he documents here.
And as I mentioned, Churchill is hilarious. Some of his comments, about Stalin in particular, would give me a good laugh. Of course when I would repeat them to my wife she would just give me a blank stare. So perhaps its an acquired sense of humour. Also, if you don't have a passing knowledge of French, get a dictionary. Churchill publishes his telegrams with French authorities in French with no translation.
