John Charmley

As the author himself says, at page 350, the central theme of the book is that America wanted a compliant, non-Imperial Britain as part of a European federation; those (like Churchill) that sentimentally hoped for a union of the English-speaking peoples, or at least a meeting of the minds, were bound to be disappointed. The author puts a lot on how devious FDR was, but I think might rely a little *too* much on that point. Likewise, the author seems to have an enormous animus for Eisenhower's Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, and puts a lot more of a Machiavelli on his shoulders that I think they could support. A very turgid, heavy style doesn't particularly help him put his points across.… (mer)