Citizens of London

The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour

By: Lynne Olson

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 17 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In Citizens of London, Lynne Olson has written a work of World War II history even more relevant and revealing than her acclaimed Troublesome Young Men.

Here is the behind-the-scenes story of how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant. Drawing from a variety of primary sources, Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a cautious Franklin Roosevelt and a reluctant American public to support the British at a critical time. The three---Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR's Lend-Lease program in London; and Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain---formed close ties with Winston Churchill and were drawn into Churchill's official and personal circles. So intense were their relationships with the Churchills that they all became romantically involved with members of the prime minister's family: Harriman and Murrow with Churchill's daughter-in-law, Pamela, and Winant with his favorite daughter, Sarah.

Others were honorary "citizens of London" as well, including the gregarious, fiercely ambitious Dwight D. Eisenhower, an obscure general who, as the first commander of American forces in Britain, was determined to do everything in his power to make the alliance a success, and Tommy Hitchcock, a world-famous polo player and World War I fighter pilot who helped save the Allies' bombing campaign against Germany. Citizens of London, however, is more than just the story of these Americans and the world leaders they aided and influenced.

©2010 Lynne Olson (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Ingenious history.... Olson's absorbing narrative does [Winant, Murrow, and Harriman] justice." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful book ~

Even with the slightest interest in this time in history, you will find this book fantastic. Wonderful book ~ !

WWII, diplomacy, journalism, and affaires de couer

Any additional comments?

First of all, let me say this is a well written, illuminating account of WWII London and the major players in the British/American alliance. It is a nonstop read, and a highly educational, enjoyable one. There is much to learn about the behind the scenes action from this author. Not to be missed are the in-house diplomatic/political/military rivalries and competitions that were a constant source of frustration to individuals and the war effort. The author brings to life the war struggles by focusing on the individuals and their personality traits. The American ambassador, Mr. John Gilbert Winant, was a tremendous asset to our country. His story is one that too few Americans (including me) know and this history does much to correct that. So much has been written about Joe Kennedy's missteps while in that post, that this gentleman has been ignored. After reading this, I predict you will be searching for much more information on this man. The history of Edward R Murrow was new to me, also. I do remember him on TV when I was a young child, however, I was woefully ignorant of his time in England during the war. His stature as a famed broadcaster is more easily understood. I am on my second listening and keep making historical connections that I missed the first time. I will probably be re listening to parts of this over and over. There are liaisons of varying types and degrees that are woven into the fabric of this history. However, the most surprising are the love affairs amongst this elite group of history makers. Husbands, wives, daughters, sons........a very close knit group getting even closer. Was it the war? Lack of TV? Too many cocktail parties? Maybe it was in the English water..........If you love British and American history..........you will have a great time with this book

Informative book of the time and people

This is a well researched book about the times and people leading up to and instrumental during WWII. I was fascinated. I am happy that John Gilbert Winatt is prominently recorded in the book.

The Foundations of the Special Relationship

Today, many of us Americans can look back to WWII, with our isolationist past an even more distant memory than the war itself, and wonder why we were so slow to come to Britain's aid, why we were being so deliberately naive about the realities of the world and the threat posed by fascism. This book is the story of three highly influential Americans who were asking these questions in 1941 as German bombs fell around them in London. It conveys the frustration of Murrow, the head of CBS's London news bureau, the unenviable dilemmas faced by Winant, the American ambassador, and the challenges encountered by Harriman, the lend-lease coordinator; but it also details the close relationship these men formed with Churchill and his family, especially his daughters. Though two of these men were personal representatives of FDR and the other was nominally an objective news commentator form a neutral power, all three functioned more as personal aids to Sir Winston Churchill, not out of any sense of disloyalty to the United States, but rather in accordance with the dictates of their conscience. They understood that, at this point in history, the interests of the United States and those of the United Kingdom were one and provided invaluable counsel to Sir Winston to help coax along a skeptical American government. In doing so they became part of Churchill's inter circle and formed relationships with the British political, business, and military communities that would not only define the relationship between the two nations for the duration of the war, but have also defined the relationship between our two peoples for last 70 years following the war.

Phenomenal book

Beautifully written, great research and immensely interesting about key players in London during the War.

A history not to be missed in Iowa

Many new twists to an important part of our history centered on World War II.

Exceptional

This audio book was written with finesse, and it was delivered in a pressing and sophisticated manner; matching the rapidly unfolding and dire events leading up to and during WWII. I highly recommend the superb historical book.

Wonderful nuanced story

The war on the ground in London was a lot more nuanced, and (evidently) a whole lot more lascivious, then I had ever imagined. I’ve read many stories that tell the arc of World War II in far more simplistic terms. Here, by contrast, aspects of the war such as growing tensions between the United States and Britain and horrifying maltreatment of black US soldiers in England (by Americans, not by the English) are laid out in fascinating detail.

Fascinating and Inspiring

This book tells stories of the unsung heroes in World War II. One of the best books I have ever read. Highly recommended.

How lucky to meet the citizens of London.

This book explored so many of the less-well-known but incredibly important politicians and journalist during wartime London. By the end of the book, I felt like these people had become friends I had gotten to know. I was sad when it ended, but felt so much more informed of England’s war effort and the role the United States played, though sometimes reluctantly, in this global conflagration.