New Books Network Tim Bouverie, "Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World" (Crown, 2025)
Dec 19, 2025
Historian Tim Bouverie, acclaimed for his insightful works like *Appeasement*, dives into the intricate dynamics of the Allied Powers during WWII. He discusses the gaps in historical narrative and his fresh approach to diplomatic history, intertwining public opinion with battlefield context. Bouverie reveals the significance of new archival findings, including a telling telegram regarding Churchill. He also explores the strategic missteps of the Allies, the contrasting grand strategies of Britain and the US, and the critical role of figures like FDR and de Gaulle.
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Diplomacy Equal To Military Force
- Politics and diplomacy shaped the war as much as tanks and planes did.
- Victory required a superior, coordinated coalition, not just battlefield successes.
Telegram Reveals US Approval For Attack
- Tim Bouverie found a telegram from Lord Lothian to Roosevelt dated July 4, 1940 revealing US awareness of the British attack on the French fleet.
- The note shows Churchill acted with an eye to U.S. opinion throughout 1940–41.
Defensive Strategy Misread German Warfare
- Anglo-French strategy assumed a long defensive war leveraging resources and empires.
- That defensive mindset misread the fast, mobile war Germany planned and risked quick collapse.