This book is well-researched, quotes from some of my favorite history books, and is thorough. It's academic, though, and not warm and fuzzy but a cold, dry read. As long as you know that going in, it's an enjoyable book. So much time was spent discussing World War II I wondered whether I was ever going to read about Eisenhower in his presidency, which is a favorite and not much explored topic by historians. But that's the crux of it. The cold war and how Ike and Churchill handled it during peacetime was the direct result of choices they made during World War II.

Give yourself time to slowly read through the book and absorb everything or you'll be overwhelmed. I read it in a few days and like I said, it's dry and academic, and ultimately affected how I felt about the book. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I was so happy that I had the opportunity to read this book. I am a devoted anglophile who has visited the United Kingdom over ten times and traveled extensively through England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Always visiting battlegrounds, museums, both war and airplane, generally soaking up the sense of history that can not be found in the U.S. But the National WWII Museum in New Orleans is great(As a woman my husband is very happy that I enjoy tank museums, Dover's secret tunnels, Imperial War Museum to name a few)Mr. Catherwood immediately stirs my intellectual curiosity about a period of history I hadn't had the opportunity to delve into, yet. With the precision of a scalpel, this book that does not simply quote facts and minutiae but tells a story about two men and their relationship over a period of years. Having been born in 1953, I only know about this period through books. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in history and the US/UK relationship. Now my curiosity is piqued and I have to read more about Churchill and Eisenhower. Thank you NetGalley and Mr. Catherwood.

Churchill, Eisenhower and the Making of the Modern World by Christopher Catherwood
I found this a very interesting and enjoyable book to read. Of course, everyone in the English- speaking world for sure knows Winston Churchill and his major role in the middle of the 20th Century. Less is known about David Eisenhower and his relationship with Churchill that goes back to 1941 and the planning for the invasion of Europe. This is a book not only about these two gentlemen but also the evolving relationship between the US and the UK. As Mr. Catherwood clearly points out the concept of a “Special Relationship” if it existed at all changed from 1941 when the UK was on top to 1943 when already the US was the leader. This gap grew with the war as well as afterwards. But there were still times when Britain acted as a break on US adventures to the good of both countries. As an example, Eisenhower wanted a coalition to fight in Vietnam in 1954 but the British refused and this was at least for a while a benefit to the West. There are many stories that illustrate the give and take between the two leaders and countries that were new to me. As an example, the US were keen to advance on Germany across the Channel in 1943 but the British prevailed and instead the Allied forces went into N. Africa and Italy delaying the advance into Germany until the actual D-Day in 1944. Did this matter? Mr. Catherwood makes a very clear timeline of the difference of one year. Would the Allies have been all the way to Poland meaning much of Central Europe would not have been under Soviet rule for 40 years. Was it wise to have let The Soviets take Berlin? They suffered over 340,000 casualties taken Berlin which was far greater than the US and the UK suffered in the entire war. The Cold War era and the H-Bomb also were major issues. Churchill was desperate to find a way for himself and the UK to be relevant in bringing peace to Europe especially after Stalin’s death. Eisenhower, correctly felt this was not the time and suggested Churchill could enhance his legacy if he focused on ending Colonialism. Shockingly at least to me we see bigotry and backwardness of Churchill who still saw the colonies as jungles and filled with Hottentots ! Mr. Catherwood is English but his wife was an American which gave him I believe a more fair and balanced view of these two leaders. I have read enough about Churchill but from this book I now need to read more about David Eisenhower. I highly recommend this book.