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Churchill's unwavering leadership during WWII, the critical importance of maintaining morale, and learning from weaknesses through deliberate self-assessment
TRANSCRIPT
He understands the danger. Again, humans are very complex, in many ways, irrational creatures. And the fact is he understood that there very few enemies that are more dangerous for yourself and your team and whatever you trying to do than poor morale Nothing must now be said which would disturb morale or lead people to think that we should not
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The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
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King George VI told his own diary, “I cannot yet think of Winston as P.M.” The king encountered Lord Halifax on the grounds of Buckingham Palace, through which Halifax had royal permission to walk in his commute from his home in Euston Square to the Foreign Office. “I met Halifax in the garden,” the king wrote, “& I told him I was sorry not to have
... See moreErik Larson • The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Where Chamberlain—the Old Umbrella, the Coroner—was staid and deliberate, the new prime minister, true to his reputation, was flamboyant, electric, and wholly unpredictable. One of Churchill’s first acts was to appoint himself minister of defense, which prompted an outgoing official to write in his diary, “Heaven help us.” The post was a new one,
... See moreErik Larson • The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
Running the White House was exclusively Eleanor’s domain, part of the balance of power she and FDR had achieved. And given her extensive public commitments, she was determined to have someone assist her who was loyal and trustworthy. Social awareness, an ability to cook, even a knowledge of food and wine were secondary. The assistant she chose was
... See moreJean Edward Smith • FDR
12 Bolton Street, off Piccadilly, where he stayed until 1909.