Churchill's Phoney War: A Study in Folly and Frustration (Studies in Naval History and Sea Power)

About this book

Given the dearth of scholarship on the Phoney War this book examines the early months of World War II when Winston Churchills ability to lead Britain in the fight against the Nazis was being tested. Graham T. Clews explores how Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty proposed to fight this new world war with particular attention given to his attempts to impel the Royal Navy the British War Cabinet and the French toward a more aggressive prosecution of the conflict. This is no mere retelling of events but a deep analysis of the decision-making process and Churchills unique involvement in it. This book shares extensive new insights into well-trodden territory and original analysis of the unexplored with each chapter offering material which challenges conventional wisdom. Clews reassesses several important issues of the Phoney War period including: Churchills involvement in the anti-U-boat campaign; his responsibility for the failures of the Norwegian Campaign; his attitude to Britains aerial bombing campaign and the notion of his unfettered bulldog spirit; his relationship with Neville Chamberlain; and his succession to the premiership. A man of considerable strengths and many shortcomings the Churchill that emerges in Clews portrayal is dynamic and complicated. Churchills Phoney War adds a well-balanced and much-needed history of the Phoney War while scrupulously examining Churchills successes and failures.