The Antagonists Who Saved Democracy
COMMENTS / REVIEWS
New Five Star reviews call ANTAGONISTS WHO SAVED DEMOCRACY:
- “an outstanding work of scholarship; a really good book”
- “well-written and reads like a novel”
- “compelling and insightful ”
- “a book that rises above all the great biographies of Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain”
- “a book that rises above all the great biographies of Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain”
- “a fresh uncovering of Britain’s leaders in the decisive political moments entering WWII”
- “a book that rises above all the great biographies of Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain”
- “a book that exposes how important it was for these opposing partisan leaders to clash and evolve with reciprocity and consideration to reach crucial outcomes”
- “groundbreaking reinterpretation of one of the most critical political rivalries in history”
- “a nuanced, thought-provoking analysis”
- “analytical and balanced, offering readers a lens through which to reconsider the well-worn narratives of Churchill’s heroism and Chamberlain’s failures”
- “a masterful reexamination of two pivotal figures in British history”
An outstanding work of scholarship
“I read this book along with the members of my book club, who are highly educated, accomplished and well-read. We focus on history books. I speak for myself but I believe also for me fellow book club members. This book is an outstanding work of scholarship. While long and detailed, the book is exceptionally well-written and reads like a novel. What is especially notable about this book is how it rises above all of the great biographies of Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain to review their upbringing, their relationships (and especially the relationship with each other), and thoughtfully examines their life influences that account for their character, their personalities, their weaknesses, their complexities, their resilience and their courage. Highest recommendation.”
— Tom McCoy
A fresh uncovering of Britain’s leaders
“Alan Saltman’s The Antagonists Who Saved Democracy is a really good book. It is a significant, relevant, well researched and documented work, and a fresh uncovering of Britain’s leaders in the decisive political moments entering WWII. And it’s also an enjoyable book, with a chronicle that becomes a page-turner.”
— Russ Molari
A nuanced, thought-provoking analysis
— A. Poe
A compelling and insightful sequel
“Alan Saltman’s The Antagonists Who Saved Democracy is a compelling and insightful sequel to his earlier work, No Peace With Hitler. Building on themes from his first book, Saltman offers fresh perspectives and a deeper narrative that brings new life to the relationship between two of Britain’s most consequential leaders.”
— Jim Longo
Dr Elliot Clark gives The Antagonists Who Saved Democracy
“Five Stars”
‘Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill between them saved the country. Neither statesman would have achieved our salvation without the other,’ Conservative MP Patrick Donner once commented. With this new study, Alan Saltman explores the relationship between Chamberlain and Churchill and how they came to be the antagonists who saved democracy. Using methods of psychohistory and an array of public and private papers, Saltman recognises the importance of understanding the statesmen’s backgrounds, aspects of their youth and their differing opinions over their 20-year professional relationship to understand how they came to be the men they were in the wake of Hitler’s rise.
In a thought-provoking analysis of their youth, Saltman questions the impact of their traumatic childhood on their characters as politicians. Both experienced, in some ways, a lonely childhood. Churchill felt neglected by his mother’s indulgence in society life, and Chamberlain suffered the loss of his mother when he was only six years old. Their respective fathers were so heavily involved in their politics that neither had much time for their sons. Although Chamberlain had his siblings to ensure a happy boyhood, outside the family circle, he appeared uncomfortable and shy. Saltman assesses the impact of this on their later character concluding for Churchill his loneliness made him self-confident and outgoing contrasting with Chamberlain who was visibly retiring in his shyness.
Brilliant Scholarship And Amazing Research
“Alan Saltman’s book reflects brilliant scholarship and amazing research. The facts presented are thoroughly documented by extensive footnotes. It is generally not known or appreciated about the role Neville Chamberlain played in firmly standing with Churchill against Hitler and the Nazis during the dark days of late May 1940 with the fall of France and Dunkirk. “The Antagonists who saved Democracy thoroughly illuminates this fateful time in our history.”
— 5-Star Review
Compelling and insightful; Essential reading
“The Antagonists Who Saved Democracy delivers a compelling and insightful follow-up to his first book, No Peace With Hitler. While the earlier book focused on Winston Churchill’s refusal to negotiate with Nazi Germany in May 1940, this new book turns to the complex relationship between Churchill and Neville Chamberlain during the years and months leading up to and immediately following that fateful moment in history.
The book brings depth and humanity to both figures—especially Chamberlain, whose path from appeasement architect to reluctant but essential ally is explored with in-depth research. Through detailed storytelling and clear-eyed analysis, the book challenges simple narratives and shows how democratic resilience often depends on flawed but principled leadership, even from unexpected sources.
This is essential reading for anyone interested in WWII and the events leading up to that horrific war.”
— 5-Star Review
Detailed and thoughtful
“Antagonists“ is a well-researched, comprehensive account of two of the most iconic Britons of the 20th century, who fate brought together as colleagues, then made them rivals, only to become loyal colleagues again . Alan Saltman’s detailed and thoughtful book is an excellent examination of their relationship in all its complexity and nuance.”
— Lee Pollock, Churchill writer and historian