Sublime

His serene self-confidence combined with his global experience fitted him uniquely to lead the nation into the postwar era. And he remained lucky.

Roosevelt’s wartime leadership resembles that of Lincoln. As in 1933, he restored the nation’s confidence.

The British Army produced no first-rate generals during 1939–45. This was partly because it always acted as a junior partner – first to the French in 1939–40, and then to the Americans after 1942 – and partly because it was condemned by its political superiors to ultra caution. The Desert Campaign of 1940–43 was the only one in which the British ex

Nevertheless the high sentiments always win in the end, leaders who offer blood, toil, tears and sweat5 always get more out of their followers than those who offer safety and a good time.

There are no statues built of those who lived lives of mediocrity, and on the tomb of no heroes will you find the words, “He played it safe.”

One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.