Alan Saltman is a semi-retired corporate lawyer with decades of experience in complex litigation involving the federal government. Inspired by the film Darkest Hour and the book of the same name by Anthony McCarten, Alan became deeply intrigued by the critical decision faced by Winston Churchill in late May 1940. Drawing on his skills in legal research and writing, he began an in-depth investigation into this pivotal moment in history—an effort that culminated in his first book, No Peace with Hitler.

In the spring of 1940, Hitler had swiftly overrun much of Western Europe, and France was on the verge of collapse. Britain stood alone. The question before Churchill was stark: should Britain solicit peace terms from Hitler or continue fighting the seemingly unstoppable Nazi war machine—likely without much of its professional army, which was then trapped on the European continent?

Choosing to fight meant facing a devastating bombing campaign by the German Luftwaffe and the very real threat of Nazi invasion. Many believed that only a madman would opt for such a path. Yet Churchill did just that. Why? Was he reckless—or was there something deeper in his past and personality that led him to make this choice?

Based on two and a half years of meticulous research and writing, No Peace with Hitler explores Churchill’s formative years, his complex relationships with his parents, the surprising path that brought him to power, and the fierce convictions that drove him to oppose peace overtures in May 1940—resisting a decision that could have turned Britain into a vassal state of Nazi Germany.

Despite what he uncovered in his first book, Alan felt there was more to explore—particularly the often misunderstood relationship between Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain. This led to his second book, Chamberlain and Churchill: The Antagonists Who Saved Democracy.

In Antagonists, Alan examines the profound similarities and sharp contrasts between the two men, offering insight into:
1. The shared and divergent aspects of their backgrounds, personalities, psychological makeup, and character.
2. Why two of Britain’s greatest social reformers became such fierce political adversaries in the late 1930s.
3. The motivations behind Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement and his decision to accept the terms of the Munich Agreement.
4. The impact of the coercion of Czechoslovakia, the Anglo-Polish Guarantee, and the failed attempt to form a Grand Alliance on their pre-war relationship.
5. The surprising bond of loyalty that developed between Chamberlain and Churchill during the crucial eight months Churchill served in the Chamberlain war cabinet after the outbreak of war.
6. How and why Chamberlain, during the critical War Cabinet debates of May 25–28, 1940, ultimately stood with Churchill in rejecting peace negotiations with Hitler.

Through both books, Alan offers readers a fresh perspective on leadership, character, and the pivotal decisions that shaped the course of modern history.

Alan lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife Beryl. He has two sons and two grandchildren.