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)

Well-told tale about key supporters

... a tiny bit padded in places, but a fascinating account. The author gives a terrific account of what it was like to live in London during the blitz and beyond.

One of the best books on World War II you will ever read

This book transports you. That is the best way to describe it. It creates a vivid and vibrant picture of London at its darkest and finest hour.

The only criticism is that the narrator's voice is just slightly too slow. Real-time speed is halting but 1.25 is too fast.

Understanding The Past

This book brings to light less known information about our leaders relationships and goals. It also explains the importance of several lesser know players.

It's a long book but well worth the time and energy.

Enjoy!

For lovers of history

I loved this book. So educational! It introduced me to a wonderful man, who I knew nothing about. It gave me more perspective on Roosevelt’s and Churchill’s relationship, and it gave me more respect for Eisenhower. I lived in France in the fifties and I never understood why some of the French weren’t crazy about Americans. This book gave me insight on that issue. For some people though, who don’t love history as I do, it might be dry.

Fascinating. Moving. Infuriating.

Another wonderful book from Lynne Olson about World War II in Europe. Excellent narration too.

Fascinating even if you're not a history buff

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I have given this book to four friends and everyone has found it beautifully written, with a cannot-put-down investigation into what went on behind the scenes during World War II. My only disappointment was when the book ended. I want more from this author.

How could the performance have been better?

It was perfect.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Citizens of London?

None. It is a brilliant book.

Wonderful and Inspiring

Listening to this book will make you envy the Americans who made London their home during World War II. It brings to life the constant awareness of danger, the live-for-now attitude, the sense of common purpose, the adrenaline rush of being part in a great cause, and most of all the leading characters of that era. Most interesting was Ambassador John Gilbert Winant, about whom I knew next to nothing before listening to this book. He seemed to be a man who could have been a truly great American president; yet he has been a historical footnote next to Churchill, Roosevelt, and the other personalities focused on in the book -- Edward R. Murrow and Averell Harriman. Citizens of London restores Winant to his rightful place. I found the narration somewhat dull, but the content more than made up for it.

Really interesting!

Some new information that I'd never heard before. A fantastic insight into wartime London. The explanations of some of the social structure and connections between various players in the scene became a bit tedious at times, but in general the book was extremely good.

Best book in Years!

What a spellbinding account of the struggle of Great Britain to survive the German onslaught! Although we Americans tend be self congratulatory about our role in WW II, all except the American heroes of this book PALE.
Thank you.

Appreciated Praise But Not the Omission of History

I thought book shed light on many who deserved praise as well as those who did not deserve it. I thought more explanation should have been given regarding the reasons for isolationism. After WWI, America strongly disagreed with France and Britain's exorbitant amt of the monetary wartime reparations and land grab policies imposed by the Versailles Treaty, the main catalyst for WWII. They crippled recovery in Germany and the European economy. Britain refused to devalue the pound out of pride, with not enough to back it up. Since England then held the currency ratios were based on, it destabilized money all over Europe. America disagreed with Imperial nature of the British because they gained land at end of WWI and the US who had bailed them out felt the same would happen again. At the end of WWI the only land in Europe used by the US was the cemetery at Verdun. Even though we fought that War, the British and Fench would forgo the punative behavior which the US thought would keep Europe from recovering, as was the case. Therefore, isolationism was strongly felt because our boys lost their lives for what seemed like purely the wrong reasons. Therefore the US did not trust the same might happen again. That is why the US did not feel generous about giving lives again. Not as this author implies that we were careless and greedy. As history now shows, casualties and delays were born in WWII (MONTGOMERY and ITALY) based on England's and/or WC need for appearances or glory to enhance British ego, while we were expected to do supplies and young lives. I am not anti anyone. I just think a lot of background history was left out which better explains the US hesitancy in wanting a War that England had already preached appeasement as a solution which, again, our advice was not sought before giving away someone else's homelands (Austria and Checz) in order to agree with that appeasement treaty. Their governments were not even invited to the meeting! What was the US supposed to think???