Using the Cabinet papers from the National Archives, former Foreign Secretary David Owen has written a new history of the pivotal British War Cabinet meetings of May 1940. Eight months into the war defeat seemed to many a certainty.
A new history of the pivotal British War Cabinet meetings of May 1940 written by former Foreign Secretary, David Owen. It reveals how Halifax pushed for peace talks with Hitler, and reiterates the strength of Churchill's leadership and the wartime Cabinet system of government. 'An exciting, thought-provoking read, with profound contemporary as well as historical relevance' Andrew Roberts
"David Owen's masterly analysis makes a powerful case for seeing the vital British decision to fight on against the Nazis in May 1940 as the greatest moment for Cabinet government and collaborative politics. His thoughtful, cogent, well-researched and well-written book is all the more persuasive coming from a former foreign secretary, and for being supported by the key contemporaneous documents. An exciting, thought-provoking read, with profound contemporary as well as historical relevance."
- Andrew Roberts, author of The Storm of War and Masters and Commanders
"David Owen has thought deeply about these issues-and is always worth reading."
- Dominic Lawson
"David Owen, from his wide political experience, throws new light on those dramatic weeks in May and June 1940 when Winston Churchill stood bravely against the mighty Nazi threat to Britain. Lord Owen also emphasises the crucial roles played by Labour's Attlee and Greenwood in resisting pressures to negotiate with Hitler and Mussolini, and above all the importance of our traditional British Cabinet government, which supported Churchill against the German Blitzkrieg. His book, Cabinet's Finest Hour, is a fascinating read."
- Bernard Donoughue, senior policy advisor to prime ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan
