Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

Some non-fiction history is slow reading - not this one. It is truth packaged in excellent writing, in a broad world perspective & with meaningful insights into both men & the impact of their friendship on the outcome of WWII. A very smooth read. We have the hardback & audiobook.. I’m blind so I use audio, while my husband prefers a traditional book. We read this book together & both of us enjoyed our own version. I have a small amount of vision & while my poor eyesight would never be sufficient to *read* the entire book. But it is enough to see larger photographs. The benefit of having both the printed book & the audiobook (which has no photos), is that my husband can read his print version simultaneously, therefore allowing him to point out the best photos so that I will benefit from them. Of course it is costly to buy both, but it enriches my read of the audiobook immensely! For those of us who think of books we love as old friends, it’s a true luxury to have both & a sighted reader to point out the graphics that are most of value in enriching the non-paper version!

Two great statesmen who saved the world from the insanity of Nazi Germany and the madman at its helm. In the late 1930's and early 1940, Great Britain was on its knees and near capitulation. London had been continuously bombed into mounds of rubble, food supplies were at an all time low and it was simply a matter of time before Germany would use France as a spring board into England. Churchill was at wits end but swore his country would never give in. He began a one year visitation with FDR in hopes of convincing the United States to enter the war against Germany. FDR was against the ropes. He had a re-election coming up in a country that was steeped in isolation. The need was there, but FDR feared losing the election and not being able to assist one in for his fourth term.So Lend Lease was born and Roosevelt assisted England with supplies, food and munitions of all descriptions. Then December 7, 1941 happened, the sleeping giant was awakened and in a single day the United States declared war on the Axis Powers and Japan.The military and industrial might of the United States entered the fray, and it might not have been enough had Russia not reared its ugly head in the east and diverted Hitler's attention and military.It was through the leadership of these two leaders that the free world was led to victory in the Second World War. Their friendship was crucial to the survival of the free world. Jon Meacham is such an interesting author and writes so well. He has found information and written it in such a manner that you will have a greater understanding of the importance of this friendship and cooperation between these two great nations. Their stature and leadership were dominant in the destruction of Germany and Japan.FDR would die before war's end and Churchill would be voted out of office after the armistice was signed. And yet their contributions and influence were the glue that held these two great nations together and buy the time necessary to rally our military might and in time overcome the Axis. The power of their personalities were just as important as the manpower and munitions it took to win the war on both fronts. What both men didn't account for was the Russian Bear rearing its ugly head and thrusting the free world into a cold war of many decade's duration.You will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is very enlightening and enjoyable to read.

Great book. I truly enjoyed it.

The book goes into the complex relationship between FDR and Churchill prior to and during WW II.As with other Jon Meacham books, it tells the history of these mem with an abundance of quotes, memoirs copious notes from those witnessing their relationship and is a great informative read.

After I read both of Lynne Olson’s terrific books on this period, CITIZENS OF LONDON, and TROUBLESOME YOUNG MEN, I wanted more. My brother Ken had given me Jon Meacham’s LINCOLN, which I loved, so I decided to purchase this book. It is a marvelous read. One of the reviewers of one of Olson’s books criticizes her book essentially along these lines, that “this is not the book to read if you want to get a history of WWII.” But I’m not reading these books to get a history of WWII. These books, and I definitely include Meacham’s FRANKLIN AND WINSTON, bring an incredibly important and dramatic period in the history of the world to life. It is a relatively brief period of history, and the authors have surveyed a mass of detail and made a compelling narrative related to events, opinions, and personalities. Meacham’s book is a totally engrossing narrative about FDR and Churchill and their wartime relationship, the issues they confronted, and their contemporaries. The importance of this period of time cannot be overstated and Meacham brings it to life. The relationship between FDR and Churchill and their correspondence are, per se, fascinating, as are the vignettes about their contemporaries. The examples are too numerous to be set forth, but should just be enjoyed (although many are sad) by the reader. This book deals with life and death matters, where opinions and actions counted for good or ill. What an amazing period of time, and what an amazing pair, Roosevelt and Churchill, along with their contemporaries, brought to life.

Fascinating history of their relationship, personalities, and impact on the world. Illustrates their greatness but also some of their less desirable traits. Highly recommend!

The author has spent an inordinate amount of time looking for sources. Well, in reality, I suppose his Staff did. Regardless, it is jam-packed with details of both families. A wonderful insight into the two minds of WWII.

Das Lesen von guten Büchern ist für mich die beste Therapie.

This audio story has kept my low vision partner enthralled over the summer!

The book smelt mouldy

This used book was in much worse condition than was described. I had expected it to be in much better condition (the cost of postage & handling made it too expensive.)