Allies at War

A landmark history of the alliance that won the war and made the peace by the Sunday Times-bestselling author of Appeasing Hitler

‘An astonishing achievement. Compellingly told, immensely wide-ranging and utterly fascinating … Superb’ JAMES HOLLAND

After the fall of France in June 1940, only Britain stood between Hitler and total victory. Desperate for allies, Winston Churchill did everything he could to bring the United States into the conflict, drive the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany apart and persuade neutral countries to resist German domination.

By 1942, after the German invasion of Russia and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the British-Soviet-American alliance was in place. Yet it was an improbable and incongruous coalition, divided by ideology and politics and riven with mistrust and deceit. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin were partners in the fight to defeat Hitler, yet they were also rivals who disagreed on strategy, imperialism and the future of liberated Europe.

Allies at War is a fast-paced, narrative history, based on material drawn from over a hundred archives. Using vivid, first-hand accounts and unpublished diaries, we enter the rooms where the critical decisions were made, revealing the political drama behind the military events. Ambitious and compelling, Allies at War offers a fresh perspective on the Second World War and the origins of the Cold War.

Review

Can anything new be said about the Second World War? Unexpectedly the answer is yes … [Allies at War] provides new perspectives on subjects that seemed familiar … Bouverie’s first book, Appeasing Hitler … was a dazzling debut. Allies at War fully confirms the promise shown by its predecessor -- Adam Sisman ― Observer

Impeccably researched, elegantly written and compellingly argued -- Saul David ― The Times

A new star is born. The British firmament of modern political and military history is already a glittering one, but established names must now make way for a new companion, Tim Bouverie. His first book, Appeasing Hitler, was a deserved success. His second, Allies at War, proves that his debut was no flash in the pan … [A] powerful and well-researched book -- William Waldegrave ― Independent

A major work of original history that is a pleasure to read ... This is a compelling and highly readable book that provides a mass of new and fascinating detail about the Allies in the Second World War. Tim Bouverie has produced a masterpiece -- Richard J Evans ― New Statesman

Ambitiously all-encompassing … agreeably witty ... with vivid pen portraits … [an] extremely timely book -- Andrew Roberts ― Telegraph *5 STARS*

[A] terrific new book … Bouverie is a historian with an exceptional command of his subject, and there is much to learn from his book ― Daily Mail, *Book of the Week*

Bouverie … delivers a brilliant blow-by-blow account of the twists and turns of high-stakes diplomacy that were every bit as vital as the battles fought and won in the field when it came to victory. This is a landmark history book filled with fabulous facts that reads like a thriller ― Daily Mirror

[A] meticulous, scholarly and highly enjoyable history of the second world war -- Caroline Moorehead ― Spectator

A sweeping, fast-paced narrative of one of the great turning points of the 20th century. Deeply researched yet highly readable -- David Reynolds, author of Mirrors of Greatness

A grand sweep of history - a brilliant narrative -- Antony Beevor, author of Russia

About the Author

Tim Bouverie is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain Churchill and the Road to War, shortlisted for the Orwell Prize. He studied history at Christ Church, Oxford and was the 2020-21 Alistair Horne Fellow at St Antony’s College, Oxford.