Churchill's Legacy

Two Speeches to Save the World

by Lord Alan Watson

Bloomsbury Publishing

Pub Date

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy this Book on

Bloomsbury Publishing

Pub Date

Description

Churchill’s part in restoring postwar European unity through two key speeches in 1946 at Fulton, Missouri and Zurich.

Published to mark their 70th Anniversary, Churchill's Legacy, Two Speeches to Save the World describes how Winston Churchill wielded his influence in postwar politics to enable the restoration of Europe through two key speeches in 1946. Having first helped bring victory to the Allies in 1945, Churchill went on to preserve the freedom of the world by gaining the support of the United States in the restoration of Europe.

In Fulton Missouri, Churchill alerted America to the reality of 'Uncle Joe'— a tyrant determined to dominate Europe at any cost. Churchill called for an Anglo-American alliance based on their shared values and the deterrent of America's possession of the atomic bomb. Churchill also urged the Americans to recognize the debt to Britain for opposing Hitler in 1940. In doing so, he contributed to the US thinking behind the Marshall Plan.

In Zurich, Churchill boldly proposed a partnership between France and Germany: a United States of Europe. The hatred stirred up by the war had to be replaced by partnership for Europe to recover its economic vitality and regain its moral stature. Together, the Anglo-American Alliance and a United States of Europe led by France and Germany would have the power to 'smite the crocodile' of Soviet ambition.

The daring of Churchill's imagination and the scale of his architecture for a new Western Alliance was extraordinary. At the time, not many recognized the symmetry of what was proposed. At Churchill's funeral in 1965, commentators bemoaned the end of an era. In truth, Churchill was the catalyst of a new era—one built upon effective defense, economic revival, and European unity. They are even more relevant today as a means of giving historical perspective on Brexit.

His speeches have been added to UNESCO's International Memory of the World Register, alongside The Magna Carta, The Diaries of Anne Frank, and the Bayeux Tapestry.

Lord Alan Watson is an award winning BBC broadcaster, author, High Steward of Cambridge University, former President of the Liberal Party, public relations consultant and Peer. An accomplished public speaker, presenter, campaigner and consultant, his fascination with Churchill has been lifelong. His enthusiasm for Britain at the interface of Churchill’s three circles – Europe, America, and the English-speaking world – remains unmatched.

Churchill’s part in restoring postwar European unity through two key speeches in 1946 at Fulton, Missouri and Zurich.

Published to mark their 70th Anniversary, Churchill's Legacy, Two Speeches to Save...

A Note From the Publisher

Includes the full text of the speeches themselves as well as photographs from each event.

Advance Praise

'A fine and insightful tribute to my great-grandfather’s political instincts and his courageous approach to difficult international matters'
Randolph Churchill

'Although they were attacked and denounced at the time, Winston Churchill’s two great speeches of 1946 – delivered 4,700 miles away from each other – created the political architecture for the whole postwar period. To a very great degree, the geostrategic world we inhabit today sprung from the words Churchill spoke at Fulton, Missouri and Zurich, Switzerland. Alan Watson’s scholarly, well-written and penetrating analysis shows how that came about'
Andrew Roberts

Marketing Plan

Lord Alan Watson will be touring the USA in October 2016 to speak at various events, starting at Fulton, Missouri, to give the annual Churchill Lecture, previously given by US Presidents including Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush, and ending at the 33 International Churchill Conference in Washington, DC.

Lord Alan Watson will be touring the USA in October 2016 to speak at various events, starting at Fulton, Missouri, to give the annual Churchill Lecture, previously given by US Presidents including...

Available Editions

EDITION	Hardcover
ISBN	9781408880210
PRICE	$25.00 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

Send To Kindle (MOBI)

Download (EPUB)

Additional Information

Average rating from 6 members

See all member reviews

Featured Reviews

Kyle E, Reviewer

My Recommendation

A fantastic exploration of of two pivotal and often overlooked speeches from Churchill. These speeches helped influence and shape a post WWII world, and without them, the United States and Europe very likely would have taken a decidedly different course than the ones we know today. For course the US and Europe chose, Churchill should be applauded and thanked; this book serves as a substantial tool in this appreciation. However, this book also serves as a great reminder of what was at stake in 1946, and offers parallels to today's global climate. Many of the ideals offered by Churchill in 1946 are still relevant today, and as such, should be relied upon for knowledge and reassurance as we move forward into 2016 and beyond.

My Recommendation

Was this review helpful?

Philippa S, Reviewer

My Recommendation

Not set

Churchill´s outstanding mesmerizing fascinating life has been the subject of countless books, essays, movies, documentaries, to such an extent that i found myself thinking the other day...what more can be said and in what way? 
well here´s the answer - this excellent book shows just how truly ahead of his time this man was!
alan watson brilliantly shows how Churchill used is influence in the post WW2 scenario to enable the restoration and future defense of Europe - all this by two major speeches he did in 1946 (in the usa and in switzerland).
i wont bore you with a prolongued description of his speeches, the author is far more qualified for it but i do however end this book with a few ideas i would like to share:
i for one believe these 2 speeches were in good measure the seeds for a few very interesting bits of history, namely the creation of the north atlantic treaty organization, the marshall plan, the special relationship between britain and the usa and the european union. 
all these originate up to an extent from his capacity to foresee the post ww2 scenario in europe and his determination in planting the right ideas in people´s minds to avoid soviet domination for one, and aid europe on the long road to economical and moral recovery.
there is for me a certain sadness and a sense of the profound irony in all this - he made strong efforts towards promoting a united europe and erasing the bad feelings of WW2, yet to an extent i see some of those bad feelings still linger in the way certain european countries view their neighbors..but thats a story for another day.
Churchill´s vision, planning and determination to spread the word on what he believed was needed for the future of Europe was truly remarkable, and it only shows, given what came to be, how brilliant and ahead of his time he was, and how much he continues to influence the modern world.
this was a very good read, tremendously well researched, which shouldn't surprise me given the author´s lifelong fascination with Winston C ( i did a little research on the side of the reading!).
can not recommend it enough!

My Recommendation

Not set

Was this review helpful?

Anita R, Reviewer

My Recommendation
Excellent Read! Churchill's speeches were powerful.	My Recommendation

Was this review helpful?

We Help Books Succeed.