The Gathering Storm (The Second World War) by Winston S. Churchill

The Gathering Storm, written by Winston S. Churchill, was published in 1948 and is a historical account of the events leading up to and during the Second World War. The title of the book comes from a phrase Churchill used to describe the emerging storm of conflict and chaos across Europe in the late 1930s. In this book Churchill offers his unique and intimate perspective on the events that unfolded during the Second World War, revealing how different people and nations attempted to secure their interests and shape the future of the world.

The book opens with Churchill’s recollection of his childhood and his journey through the military, politics and writing. He recounts the events of the First World War and how these affected him personally, particularly his disapproval of the Treaty of Versailles. He emphasizes the futility of war, noting the passing of millions of lives and the wasted resources.

The bulk of the book is devoted to the period from 1935 onward, starting with Hitler’s rise to power and outlining the different methods of appeasement adopted by various countries, leading to the Munich Agreement in 1938. Churchill outlines how all the nations involved were hoping to avoid a war, but at the same time were unwilling to challenge Germany’s aggressive actions and hostile philosophy. In stark contrast to these efforts of appeasement, Churchill describes the actions he and few others had taken like advising Britain to abandon the policy of appeasement.

In great detail, Churchill chronicles the growing German aggression and Britain’s efforts to form the Locarno Pact and create an alliance with France against Russia. He explains how each of the mentioned steps failed and how British and French military preparation was inadequate and behind schedules. Churchill also describes how he and a few others had tried to persuade the British government to rearm and build alliances with other nations, but all to no avail.

From the invasion of Poland onwards, Churchill turns his attention to the events of the war itself. He reveals the mistakes and failed strategies made by all sides and how these ultimately led to devastating defeats. He recounts the fall of France, the Battle of Britain and the ruthless devastation of the Blitz. He further highlights the pivotal role of the British naval blockade and the submarine attacks on Axis ships, which proved such a success.

The book concludes with the disaster at Dunkirk, the Battle of the Atlantic, the invasion of Russia and the events of 1941 and 1942. Towards the end, Churchill focuses on the turning point of the war, how faith and confidence were maintained by the British people in the face of overwhelming odds, and examines the challenges which had to be met after the war.

Overall, The Gathering Storm successfully chronicles the key moments leading up to and during the Second World War. It is written in an engaging and informative way, allowing the reader to gain an insight into the political, diplomatic and military moves of the period. With meticulous attention to detail and an authoritative voice, Churchill provides an in-depth look into the world of the Second World War and serves as a major source for historians and students of the conflict.