PDF The Conquerors: Roosevelt; Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany; 1941-1945 by Michael R. Beschloss in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not recommendedBy John H. EvansThe Conquerors: Roosevelt; Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany; 1941-1945by Michael R. BeschlossThis book was a deep disappointment. The subtitle; “Roosevelt; Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany; 1941-1945;” is a deception. Only in a footnote; two-thirds into the book is the reader actually told “… this book is concerned with Roosevelt’s and Truman’s wartime statecraft on postwar Germany…” The first half of the book covers the years 1943 until Roosevelt’s death in April 1945 – the Roosevelt years. But very little of it is about Roosevelt; but rather about the Secretary of the Treasury; Henry Morgenthau and Morgenthau’s obsession with punishing Germany after the war. Historically this was a trivial issue; carrying no weight after the war; and it defies logic that Beschloss essentially wastes the time of the reader. Roosevelt had little interest in developing a detailed post-surrender policy for Germany; being content to allow facts on the ground to define US policy – and Roosevelt was not about to repeat the mistakes of Versailles. Anyone who saw Roosevelt in the early months of 1945 knew he was dying. Plus; Soviet aggression in Europe after the German surrender dictated US policy to support; rebuild and re-arm Germany in the face of Russian aggression. Dedicating the first half of a history book to the trivial in-fighting s of the administration [in the year before the war ended] over post-surrender Germany policy was simply irritating.But worse; Beschloss tells absolutely nothing about Roosevelt as war leader and de jur Commander in Chief of the Western Allies. For that incredible story I refer you to Nigel Hamilton’s superb three volume work; FDR at War (as of this writing in October 2017; the third volume is yet to be published).All judgement and commentary by the author is reserved for the final chapter. The initial 90% is rattled out in a “just the facts; Ma’am” manor.I do not recommend this book.10-4-20170 of 0 people found the following review helpful. HISTORICAL INSIGHTS AND MAGNETIC APPEALBy CustomerRoger Crowley is an author who combines very deep scholarship with a writing style that prevents you from putting his book down. This was my fourth book by Crowley; and I have read the first three twice each.The depth of detail and unwinding of historic personalities makes for a great NOVEL; but its not a "novel" - its an incredibly readable history book.The insights to the evolving leadership personality of the incorruptible Albuquerque is like a novel in itself; yet is only one part of the book.The revelations of tiny historical details are showcased for the historical turning points that effected world history. The TWO meetings of Bartholomew Diaz with Christopher Columbus; one to reject Portuguese sponsorship of his journey west; the other to debrief him on his return from America (he was held in Portugal before completing return to Spain) are huge historical turning points for both East and West.And the classical records he exploits to reconstruct actual conversations (the Portuguese; like the Dutch; kept records of everything) of supporting personnel as well as main historical figures; are masterful in drawing the reader in; and NOT releasing her.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The joys (?) and pitfalls of running the U.S. government during wartime.By RSRSI first encountered Michael Beschloss on PBS; and was taken with his insightful comments on presidential politics. Since then I've read a couple of his books; including "Presidential Courage." Since I'm a great fan of books about World War II and U.S. Presidents; why would I need to read another one that covers well-trod ground? Because there are endless interpretations of who did what; why; when; etc. Beschloss provides information and interpretation beyond what I've learned before - about FDR's and Truman's governing style; their handling of critical issues; dilemmas regarding war aims and military policy; relationships with other leaders and with their cabinet members; etc.The major focus is on the war against Germany rather than Japan - questions of military strategy; relations with Churchill and Stalin; and particularly views on how Germany should be treated after the war. It's well known that Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau favored turning Germany into a pastoral state; the degree to which he pursued this goal; and his ongoing attempt to pin FDR down as favoring this view; were covered in great detail. Morgenthau's relations with other cabinet members; and the chaotic attempts to gain support for his views; show an administration in disarray concerning critical policy questions as the war drew toward an end. Beschloss also reveals FDR both as a master manipulator of his subordinates and a person who could either change his mind or rely on incomplete information in making decisions about the fate of Germany.Another intriguing aspect of this book is the gossipy revelations about certain members of FDR's administration - e.g.; Henry Stimson; Edward Stettinius; Cordell Hull - and how FDR kept them all on edge either by ignoring their advice; or playing one off against the other; or making conflicting commitments. All in all; a picture of a very human administration; given to infighting and personality conflicts; rather than a smooth-running machine with cast-in-concrete goals and actions.