Why read Chamberlain and Appeasement?

Book cover of Chamberlain and Appeasement: British Policy and the Coming of the Second World War

Book description

This book provides a fresh and original approach to a controversial episode in British history, Chamberlain's policy of 'appeasement' towards Hitler's Germany. Written directly from primary archival sources, Alastair Parker's account offers the student new perspectives on the man who dominated the making of British policy before and after his…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Chamberlain and Appeasement as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

G. C. Peden

Author

I attended Alistair Parker’s lectures as a postgraduate in Oxford, and I could hear his voice engaging with his audience when I read this book. Alistair rejected Churchill’s portrait of Chamberlain as narrow-minded and lacking experience in European affairs and accepted that the prime minister’s options were limited by economic and strategic circumstances. However, he argued with characteristic verve that Chamberlain’s obstinacy in pursuing appeasement, caution in rearmament, and opposition to a Soviet alliance dispelled any chance of deterring Hitler.

From G.'s list on The best books on Britain and the coming of the Second World War.