Citizens of London

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood With Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
By Lynne Olson
Random House, 2010. 471 pgs. Nonfiction

Olson chronicles the British-American alliance during World War II by focusing on American individuals who made a significant contribution to the alliance, specifically highlighting three men-- John Gilbert Winant, Edward R. Murrow, and Averell Harriman. These men did all they could in their power to persuade Franklin D. Roosevelt and the American people that Britain needed their help to defeat Hitler. Many other people also contributed to this effort and Olson tells their stories as well, along with several other Americans who strengthened the alliance once America did enter the war. Olson shows how strained the relations between the two countries were before and during the war and how Roosevelt and Churchill struggled with who held more power during the joint conflict.

Olson does a fantastic job detailing this troubled alliance and the people involved in a manner that is as engaging as a novel. The reader feels real sympathy for many of the players and especially for the British people who had to endure so much privation and fear as they stood alone against Hitler. I found myself frustrated by the antipathy of Americans, especially those in high government positions who had the power to help Britain more than they did. Olson is quite thorough, showing the alliance in all its aspects, including civilian life, the military campaigns, power struggles and more.

MN