Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour

Lynne Olson

Book cover for Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Image for variant 9780812979350
Book cover for Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour
Image for variant 9780812979350

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour

Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour

Lynne Olson

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Description

The acclaimed author of Troublesome Young Men reveals the behind-the-scenes story of how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain, told from the perspective of three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking head of CBS News in Europe; Averell Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR's Lend-Lease program in London; and John Gilbert Winant, the shy, idealistic U.S. ambassador to Britain. Each man formed close ties with Winston Churchill--so much so that all became romantically involved with members of the prime minister's family. Drawing from a variety of primary sources, Lynne Olson skillfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a cautious Franklin Roosevelt and reluctant American public to back the British at a critical time. Deeply human, brilliantly researched, and beautifully written, Citizens of London is a new triumph from an author swiftly becoming one of the finest in her field.

About the Author


Lynne Olson, a former Moscow correspondent for the Associated Press and White House correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, is the author of Troublesome Young Men and Freedom's Daughters and co-author, with her husband, Stanley Cloud, of A Question of Honor and The Murrow Boys. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Critical Reviews

"Engaging and original, rich in anecdote and analysis, this is a terrific work of history."--Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Lion

"Citizens of London is a great read about the small band of Americans and their courageous role in helping Britain through the darkest days of early World War II. I thought I knew a lot about this dangerous period, but Lynne Olson has taught me so much more."--Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation

"A deeply inspiring chronicle of the special relationship between America and Britain when it mattered most."--Chris Matthews, anchor, MSNBC's Hardball

"Ingenious history . . . All three men were colorful, larger-than-life figures, and Olson's absorbing narrative does them justice."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An engaging history . . . a vibrant city fueled by courage and resolve."--The Christian Science Monitor

"An original and fascinating book."--Lincoln Journal Star

"[A] cracking good read."--New York Post

Publishing Information

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Pub date: 2011-05-03
Length: 528 pages

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