Commander in Chief

FDR's Battle with Churchill, 1943

De: Nigel Hamilton

Narrado por: Shaun Grindell

In the next installment of the "splendid memoir Roosevelt didn't get to write" (New York Times), Nigel Hamilton tells the astonishing story of FDR's yearlong defining battle with Churchill as the war raged in Africa and Italy.

Nigel Hamilton's Mantle of Command, long-listed for the National Book Award, drew on years of archival research and interviews to portray FDR in a tight close-up as he determined Allied strategy in the crucial initial phases of World War II. Commander in Chief reveals the astonishing sequel - suppressed by Winston Churchill in his memoirs - of Roosevelt's battles with Churchill to maintain that strategy.

Roosevelt knew that the Allies should take Sicily but avoid a wider battle in Southern Europe, building experience but saving strength to invade France in early 1944. Churchill seemed to agree at Casablanca - only to undermine his own generals and the Allied command, testing Roosevelt's patience to the limit. Churchill was afraid of the invasion planned for Normandy and pushed instead for disastrous fighting in Italy, thereby almost losing the war for the Allies. In a dramatic showdown, FDR finally set the ultimate course for victory by making the ultimate threat.

Commander in Chief shows FDR in top form at a crucial time in the modern history of the West.

©2016 Nigel Hamilton (P)2016 Recorded Books

Irritating narration

Having enjoyed a different narrator's style in book one of the trilogy, I was startled, then annoyed by the sing song,breathlessly urgent narration of this volume. It greatly detracted from my enjoyment of an otherwise excellent book.

The Most Powerful Man in the World

If you could sum up Commander in Chief in three words, what would they be?

Hard to stop listening

What other book might you compare Commander in Chief to and why?

The Mantle of Command. "FDR at War 1941-42. This is the forerunner to Commander in Chief and should be read first.

Which scene was your favorite?

The issues surrounding Prime Minister Churchill were key and well developed throughout both of Hamilton's books. I lost a lot of respect for Churchill whose 6 volume History of WWII is supposedly the definitive history of WWII. Although I haven't read Churchill's books, Hamilton's books are based on factual evidence documented throughout, whereas apparently Churchill's volumes were not. However, Churchill was very loyal to FDR which was important to a unified Allied effort.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

FDR and Churchill At War

Any additional comments?

Excellent books anyone interested in history will not want to miss.

The reading was definitely a step up

I like the story it’s interesting to see how different people write about the same story differently

Pragmatic review of FDR and Churchill’s war leadership.

Although British, the author has fair criticism of both the American and British war leaders. Interesting contrast between their styles. Most historians fawn over both, but their flaws are visible here and the consequences of those shortfalls are portayed .

Review

Redundant with excruciating almost irrelevant detail. Poorly narrated by someone who can't pronounce German. The story ends before the Normandy invasion. Sorry I spent the money.