Attlee's War: World War II and the Making of a Labour Leader

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

As deputy prime minister of Britain's coalition government during World War II, Clement Attlee became one of the most powerful figures in British politics and subsequently played a crucial role in the reshaping of the post-war party-political landscape. The architect of Labour's entry into the wartime coalition, Attlee came to straddle the workings of government to a unique degree. Unmatched in his range of influence, he dominated party politics; directed a doctrinal struggle within the coalition; and even sought to create the conditions for a cross-party alliance to be maintained after the war. His goal was to carve out a position of greater strength than Labour had ever occupied before and he succeeded when he led his party to power in July 1945. Robert Crowcroft here examines the political leadership of the unsung architect behind the development of wartime politics and the rise of the Labour party. Traditionally seen as a period of unprecedented cooperation between the Labour and Conservative parties, Crowcroft argues that in fact Attlee's influence facilitated a significant shift towards Labour which sowed the seeds for his party's post-war victory.
Attlee's War mounts a challenge to the popular image of Attlee as a reticent collegiate, and unravels his elusive path to power. Shedding new light on an often misunderstood figure, this book will appeal to all those interested in modern British history and the leadership of major political figures.

Reviews

'This is an extraordinary book. It is the most convincing study of the rise of Attlee there is, but it is far more than that. Robert Crowcroft's analysis of Attlee's war from within the Whitehall machinery is nothing short of a brilliant forensic analysis. What he does with some intellectual brilliance it to bridge the gaps between party politics, doctrinal disputes within the Labour party, and the workings of Whitehall at war. His analysis of the politics of the Labour party is unsurpassed. He leads us sure-footedly through the sometimes tortuous personal and doctrinal feuds, never once losing either the reader's attention or his focus on the bigger picture. He produces the first really convincing account of the politics of World War II, providing remarkable portraits of all those involved. He puts Churchill in an unfamiliar but necessary context, showing how crucial his own lack of political grip at home was to Attlee's triumph. What is most impressive of all is that he manages to make an incisive and sometimes brave contribution to the wider debate over post-war Britain and to the debate about what it means to be a political historian. This is the most original book on the war I have read in many years, it is first-rate.' - John Charmley, Professor of Modern British History, University of East Anglia; 'This book makes an important contribution to our understanding of Attlee, the Labour Party and wartime politics. Attlee remains misunderstood and in many ways unknowable - although there is a tide of renewed interest in Attlee at present. Robert Crowcroft's "high politics" focus is welcome - his book provides an impressive perspective which commands serious attention.' - Kevin Theakston, Professor of British Government, University of Leeds

Author Bio

Robert Crowcroft is Lecturer in Contemporary History at the University of Edinburgh. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Leeds in 2007. He is the co-editor of The Philosophy, Politics and Religion of British Democracy (I.B.Tauris).