alone (the second volume of Churchill's memoir of WWII)

 Reading Churchill's account of 1939 and 1940 when England was alone in fighting Germany, and trying to discourage them from invading the Island, one realizes that Churchill was not writing a History of WWII.  He was actually enabling historians to appreciate what was going on in the mindset of British leadership.  His statesmanship, courage, defiance and overall role modeling was extraordinary.  He included practically all his memos and correspondences to the various cabinet members and generals and other world leaders.  One understands the close bond that he forged with President Roosevelt who represented a pivotal and indispensable ally in eventually defeating Hitler.

Churchill was fearless in going out and surveying the damage during the constant BLITZ and bombing of London.  People really saw that he cared about his people and country. In reading his memos and speeches one comes away with a character of substance and sensitivity. Churchill was unique in that he was easy to allow tears to flow, a quality that was not common among the British upper-crust.

With the postponing of the invasion, Churchill knew that he could last until other countries would join the fight eg. the USA.  He understood also that it was a matter of time that Hitler would turn against Stalin and violate his pact with Russia. Hitler's hatred of Marxism precluded any long term agreements. Stalin also seemed to understand this but clearly needed more time to develop his armored divisions. Churchill suspected Stalin's integrity and never seemed to trust him even as an ally.  Hitler was bothered by Churchill's lack of fidelity in the "Anglo - Saxon" bond.  He seemed to be hoping to exploit that bond as he did with Chamberlain. Churchill seemed to understand Hitler's hunger for territory all too well. Perhaps, Churchill's defense of the Empire gave insight into his understanding of  Hitler's desires.  Churchill always gave positive spin of his Empire as one with the rule of law, however, he saw the absolutism, despotism and arbitrariness of Hitler as evil.