All behind you, Winston: Churchill's great coalition 1940-45

Description

On 14 May 1940, the Evening Standard published a cartoon with the caption 'All Behind You, Winston'. It showed Churchill, the freshly installed prime minister, rolling up his sleeves to confront the oncoming menace of Nazi Germany. In his wake, leading the endless ranks of the British people, marched the most prominent figures of his new coalition government.It was a potent expression of a moment when Britons of every class were truly all in it together. It also contained a truth that Churchill's titanic historical reputation has since eclipsed: that neither he nor the country would have prevailed but for the joint effort of this remarkable 'ministry of all the talents'. Indeed, without the vital support of the Labour Party, and its leader Clement Attlee, Churchill might never have become prime minister at all.Now Roger Hermiston tells the story of the men – and women – who steered Britain through its darkest hour, showing how they helped to win the Second World...