Great Men in the Second World War: The Rise and Fall of the Big Three

Description

Great Men in the Second World War provides a new perspective on the role of the individual in history. Paul Dukes selects five Great Men, each in his turn one of the leaders of the three victorious powers, the UK, the USA and the USSR. The identity of the Big Three changed significantly during the last months of the conflict. Roosevelt died in April 1945 and was succeeded by Truman. Churchill lost the general election to Attlee in July. Stalin alone provided continuity throughout the conferences of the Big Three, and immediately beyond. The book explores the power of these individuals, asking such questions as: -To what extent did the leaders exert their own influence and to what extent could they be considered to be spokesmen for their countries? -How significant was it that Truman and Attlee had less colourful personalities than Roosevelt and Churchill? -Was Stalin uniquely bad while the others were good? Drawing in particular on the record of their interaction at the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, but also making use of other sources including novels as well as works of history, Paul Dukes sheds light on both the major statesmen involved and the nature of the Second World War. This is a book that will be useful for students of the Second World War and anyone with an interest in the role of individuals in history.

Paul Dukes is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Aberdeen, UK. He is known for his work on Russian history and his most recent publications include A History of the Urals (2015) and Minutes to Midnight: History and the Anthropocene Era from 1763 (2011).

[An] ideal book for students of moral leadership and negotiation on strategy and politics, not least because it highlights areas of further research. * Diplomacy and Statecraft * Dukes resurrects the role of individuals and personalities in history in a way that is clear and persuasive. Churchill, Attlee, Roosevelt, Truman and Stalin come through as individuals under historical, national, ideological and personal constraints, and personal commentary by each leader provides a fresh look at the interaction between wartime civilian leaderships. In addition to its importance as a scholarly re-look, it is also a valuable 'food for thought' classroom text. * J.L. Black, Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor, Carleton University, Canada * An intriguing new study of the Big Three of World War II that combines astute analysis with colourful portraits of the "great men" of history who strove to beat Hitler and to shape the destiny of a generation. * Geoffrey Roberts, Professor of History, University College Cork, Ireland * In comprehensive, readable summaries of the documentary evidence for the three major conferences of the Second World War - Teheran, Yalta, and Potsdam - Dukes surveys the politics of the Second World War as seen, and acted upon, at the top. This is, essentially, a meditation on the role of individuals in history (what used to be called "great men"), using Second World War leaders - Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Truman and Attlee - as case studies. * Warren F. Kimball, Robery Treat Professor Emeritus of History, Rutgers University, USA *