War Diaries 1939-1945

Lord Alanbrooke, as other reviewers have mentioned, was CIGS, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, during a large part of World War II, which means head of British and Imperial forces, commanding Naval, Land, and Air resources across multiple fronts during the war. This book (his own diary) paints a picture of an alarmingly self-focused and self-absorbed man, a friend to few, a military administrator (in wartime) obsessed with his own view of the universe, and a military strategist focused on his own narrow objectives -- to which he brooked no criticism by his Prime Minister, his War Cabinet, or his American fellows in arms.Brooke was a man apart. You will discover him leaving his office (during the Blitz) for an appointment with the artist painting his portrait. You will audit his reviews of British and Empire officers, Generals and below, who receive his esteem or his prejudice. You will seem him declining a combat assignment in North Africa in order (as he says) to 'manage' Churchill and Churchill's strategic extravagances. You will come away admiring, perhaps loving Alan Brooke for his amazing candor. But you will not admire a great many things about him, including his obsessive focus on himself and his own ideas, his failure and his pathological inability to participate in constructive dialog, particularly with American commanders, and his extraordinary impatience with many British officers, many of whom actually helped to win the war, notably the brilliant General Freyberg of the Second New Zealand Division, probably the best fighting General in World War II (according to Montgomery) and, in addition, his loyal Prime Minister Fraser of New Zealand, whom Brooke said 'wasted' 20 minutes of his time (!). Amazingly, New Zealand sent more men per head of population to WWII than any other nation, including Britain. But this didn't matter -- or register -- with Brooke. Not much that didn't have a Brooke tag registered with Brooke.However, the big event in Brooke's book is Churchill. Churchill doesn't appear in the title, but you this is the best WWII book written about Churchill -- he appears on virtually every page. Brooke's war revolved around Churchill and what he thought, what he said, what he wrote, what he did, how he engaged with leaders political and military, and how he and Brooke worked together. To Brooke, Churchill was an amazing and inspired leader, a giant among men. He was also a strategic lunatic, who needed to be in a straight jacket of Brooke's design.The truth is, both won the war.Churchill channeled America into the war, which saved everything. Brooke appointed Montgomery in North Africa, which ultimately assured Brooke's reputation, elevated General Alexander, and saved North Africa. Once American power was massed and focused in Italy, and later France, the war was over. This is a very long book, with excellent footnotes, that belongs in every library of military history. Churchill fans must read it for its unique portrait of WLSC. At the end of the book, you don't have to love Brooke to respect him. But respecting him is one thing. Loving him is another. This man doesn't need your affection. He has enough of his own to keep him warm, even in death.An amazing portrait, written by himself.

I'd have to say this is one of the better of the published diaries/journals that I've read. It shows what happened in the not so public prosecution of the war. The stress that he had to deal with in his part of the planning and its attendant responsibilities were incredible. The fact that he had to deal with the personality clashes and attitudes and sometimes the outright incompetence that he came in contact with almost certainly added to that stress. He most certainly did not suffer fools gladly if at all. Sometimes he had the highly unpleasant task of telling other British officers that there was no longer a place for them due either to age or that it was decided that they simply were no longer up to the task. There were one or two times he had no problem in telling them this due to their own shortcomings. He wasn't afraid to give anyone a good dressing down when they deserved it.As far as his dealing with Winston Churchill he could be highly critical of him or shower him with praise.One thing that surprised me is that he did not have a very high opinion of many of the American commanders, especially Eisenhower!If you want to know what was involved in the not so public planning and prosecution of WWII from the British side and what the responsibilities of THE senior British military officer were then this is a must read.

After I read Andrew Robert's excellent biography of Churchill I was intrigued by the many references to Alan Brooke and his war diary. In his un-edited war diary the complexity of their working relationship is very apparent. He comes across to me as quite a brilliant military leader with huge vision - perhaps the best in all the allied camp - who was tireless in advocating for the quickest way to win the war and attempting to drag Winston and the Americans along with him. He was mostly successful. He did not have a particularly high opinion of either Eisenhower's or Marshall's strategic capabilities and could be quite scathing in his diary which at the time was never intended to be published. In the diary he also makes many references to Ultra decrypts which was against all regulations and would have cost him his job - or worse - had it leaked out at the time.

A very interesting diary supposedly written not to be published.Extremely revealing,about Eisenhower, De Gaulle , Marshall , Bradley, Patton and most important ChurchillAs a detailed history fan of this period. It's a fascinating book.Alanbrooke was indeed a great strategist who was. Absolutely correct in his pragmatism about world strategy and History proved him right on all fronts.Exceptional!A classic!

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Interesting read considering FM Brooke was a top officer of the British Army. His view on persons and events is interesting.

A great story by a person who was at the head of many critical military events of WW2. Written from an Engliah point of view. Some of His insights on Major events and heads of state make for a great read. I Highly recommend this book!

Field Marshall Alan Brooke was one heck of a soldier and quite and interesting personage.The diary in a most candid day-by-day of both exciting and mundane events. A great augment to more "battle" oriented texts.

no maps, great stuff especially about Churchills nonsense ideas, exceptionally dry takes a very long time to read, the bird watching nonsense though and the family stuff is horrible

Alanbrooke is quite possibly the most significant military officer that most people have never heard of. If you ever watch video footage of Churchill visiting the different theatres of war or at conferences with the other Allied leaders, more often than not you see Alanbrooke at his shoulder. It was not for nothing that he was recognised with a statue outside the Ministry of Defence in London, along with Montgomery and Slim. Yet still his part in World War Two goes unrecognised by the vast majority of the population.This book is lengthy, and for the most part contains a direct transcription of Alanbrooke's diaries. There are notes added by the man himself when the diaries were published in limited form in collaboration with Arthur Bryant in the late 1950's. This allows, for example, Alanbrooke to express regret for his stinging criticism of Dudley Pound (First Sea Lord) during the war as he had later become aware that Pound was suffering from a brain tumour that eventually killed him. The diaries cover not only Alanbrooke's time as Chief of the Imperial General Staff, but also as commander of II Corps in France and as Commander-in-Chief Home Forces in 1940-41. The diary entries are usually made before Alanbrooke retires to bed, and you can almost feel the tension when he believes that invasion is imminent in September 1940, given he will have been the one tasked to keep the Germans at bay. There are many personal criticisms, with de Gaulle and Eisenhower in particular not faring well. Churchill's strategic vision, particularly his desire to invade Sumatra, is not well regarded by Alanbrooke, but you can tell that Alanbrooke also greatly admires Churchill's leadership and is fond of him on a personal level. All of the major wartime conferences are covered, including major disagreements with the American Chiefs of Staff.I thought that I understood World War Two pretty well before I read this book, but it was so incredibly enlightening to read the personal thoughts of someone who was so integral to the conduct of the war from the Allied point of view. It left me wondering that if without Alanbrooke's strong desire to concentrate on the Mediterranean (even though he apparently couldn't spell it) first we may have seen the Americans, and to a lesser extent Stalin, successfully argue for a premature invasion of France in 1943 or even 1942. If you wish to understand World War Two and why the Allied leaders came to the decisions that they did, this book is invaluable.

It’s a shame Alan Brooke isn’t better remembered these days. As CIGS (Chief of Imperial General Staff) he sat as a kind of chairman of the board at the War Office for most of WWII dealing with hiring, firing, planning and liasing with the Americans. Daily Chief of Staff meetings between the three forces, the Americans and key politicians would be steered and controlled by Brooke - always looking at the bigger picture and trying to smooth over squabbles and fantasy plans.Unfortunately, It’s also a shame that Brooke wasn’t a more effusive character as much of this diary is very dull indeed and the first half is scatter gunned with more exclamation marks than a teenage diary which the editors would have been wiser to remove. It’s alarming and then wearying that Brooke seems so surprised by almost everything even before the fall of France!!! Brooke does express some candid frustration with some famous figures. Monty is as egotistical and pompous as other biographies have made clear. Ike is strategically very weak - no good at all as a battlefield general. Churchill, although inspirational as a political leader is an infruriating, often drunk meddler who ‘Brookie’ has to constantly control to avoid stupid flights of fancy costing lives. One example is Churchill’s obsession with securing North Sumatra to retake Singapore. Another Dardanelles in the making.Having read extensively on this period Brooke’s opinions on Gott, Gort, Alexander and Wilson are confirmed by numerous other sources; Brooke’s astuteness is not in question. But aside from a few short lyrical passages on Morrocco and flying around the Med in an unheated Liberator historical colour and memorable passages are few and very far between. There is no strong descriptive talent at work here. Much of it reads like a basic regimental diary. The most electric passage is Anthony Powell’s description in Danchev’s introduction of Brooke walking down a London street with lower ranks swivelling from window shopping on instinct to salute as he passed - such was his energy. If only such charisma shined from the pages.This diary caused a storm in first publication - partly for Brooke’s comments on the lack of foresight of the Americans and the volatility of Churchill but it is a very dry read now on a figure who more than most ensured that we won the war but offers almost more insight on bird watching as world events.

I read so much about 20th century history and on several occasions reference was made to these diaries. I believe he was an incredible wartime officer who gives amazing insight in to all the political machinations involved with fighting a war with allies. However most interesting is his continuous battles with Churchill over military strategy. He clearly had a love/hate relationship with the Prime Minister but recognized the amazing qualities that Churchill possessed. What is clear to me is that as much as Churchill was the best wartime leader available to us and recognized the nature and intent of Stalin (something clearly missed by FDR) but militarily had major shortcomings. Thank goodness a Chief of Staff like Alanbrooke existed and it would seem, reading between the lines, that Churchill recognized his great qualities.A must for any serious looking to understand the history of WW2.

Essential must read for anyone wanting to REALLY understand Britain, Churchill and the Second World WarAllenbrooke deserves to be much better known than he is at this timeAbsolutely delighted with this product.Promptly and safely delivered. Well priced and good condition.Thank you