Other historians have dealt with Churchill's difficulties during this period, using the partial revelations of certain memoirs and private and public papers. Lukacs also investigates the mood of the British people, drawing on newspaper and Mass-Observation reports that show how the citizenry, though only partly informed about the dangers that faced them, nevertheless began to support Churchill's determination to stand fast. We see how the military disasters taking place on the Continent-particularly the plight of the nearly 400,000 British soldiers bottled up in Dunkirk-affected Churchill's fragile political situation, for he had been prime minister only a fortnight and was regarded as impetuous and hotheaded even by many of his own party. Lukacs takes us hour by hour into the critical unfolding of events at 10 Downing Street, where Churchill and the members of his cabinet were painfully considering their war responsibilities. The decisive importance of these five days is the focus of John Lukacs's magisterial new book. Perutz, New York Review of Books The days from May 24 to altered the course of the history of this century, as the members of the British War Cabinet debated whether to negotiate with Hitler or to continue what became known as the Second World War. but has transformed it into a memorable drama."-M.F. Washington Post Book World Bestseller "Customers are raving about Five Days in London." "Gripping.
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