Citizens of London

the Americans who stood with Britain in its darkest, finest hour
Lynne Olson

‘A nuanced history that captures the immense amount of material on the period and crafts a cracking good read.’

New York Post

‘Brilliantly bursting with beautiful prose, Citizens of London flutters our hearts by capturing the essence of the public and private lives of those who faced death, touched the precipice, hung on by their eyelids, and saved the free world from destruction by the forces of evil.’

Bill Gardner, secretary of state, New Hampshire

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‘This is history at its most personal and compelling, a group portrait of three fascinating individuals — Winant, Harriman, and Murrow — whose lives intersected at a pivotal moment in the twentieth century. The result is what the English call “a rollicking read”.’

Strobe Talbott, author of The Great Experiment: Ancient Empires, Modern States, and the Search for a Global Nation

‘If you don’t think there’s any more to learn about the power struggles, rivalries and dramas — both personal and political — about the US-British alliance in the World War II years, this book will change your mind, and keep you turning the pages as well.’

Jeff Greenfield, senior political correspondent, CBS News

‘It doesn’t seem possible that support for Britain against the Nazis was so unpopular in America before December of 1941. In Citizens of London, Lynne Olson tells the stories of Britain’s few American champions — men who ended up on the right side of history. Her book brings alive this crucial time of our country’s recent past, and shows us how a few leaders can make sure a big difference.’

Bob Edwards, radio commentator and author of Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism

‘Citizens of London is a stirring portrait of brave England in its finest hour. Lynne Olson has produced a deeply inspiring chronicle of the special relationship when it mattered most. She’s turned out a truly grand companion to Jon Meacham’s majestic Franklin and Winston.’

Chris Matthews, anchor, MSNBC’s Hardball

‘Three fascinating Americans living in London helped cement the World War II alliance between Roosevelt and Churchill. Lynne Olson brings us the wonderful saga of Harriman, Murrow, and Winant. Her book is a triumph of research and storytelling. It’s history on an intimate level.’

Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein

‘An excellent and revealing chronicle.’

Booklist

‘Ingenious … Olson, an insightful historian, contrasts the idealism of Winant and Murrow with the pragmatism of Harriman. But all three men were colourful, larger-than-life figures, and Olson’s absorbing narrative does them justice.’

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

‘An engaging history … A vibrant city fuelled by courage and resolve.’

The Christian Science Monitor

‘Citizens of London is a great read about a small band of Americans and their courageous role in helping Britain through the darkest days of early World War II. I thought I knew a lot about this dangerous period, but Lynne Olson has taught me so much more.’

Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation

‘[A] remarkable story of three Americans who were deeply involved in Britain’s struggle for survival in the early 1940s.’

Launceston Examiner

‘Magnificent, beautifully written … This is gripping, page-turning history, with the future of the free world hanging in the balance, dangerous liaisons and broken hearts behind the public jubilation.’

Grantlee Kizea, Courier Mail

‘Since its first publication by Penguin Random House in 2010, her Citizens of London has been described by reviewers as ‘an excellent and revealing chronicle’, ‘history at its most personal and compelling’, ‘an absorbing narrative’ and ‘a cracking good read’. I can endorse all these plaudits, and more.’

NZ International Review

‘Engaging and original, rich in anecdote and analysis, this is a terrific work of history.’

Jon Meacham

An enthralling, behind-the-scenes account of how the United States forged its wartime alliance with Britain.

Citizens of London brings out of history’s shadows the three key American players in London: Edward R. Murrow, the handsome, chain-smoking news reporter; Averell Harriman, the hard-driving millionaire who ran FDR’s Lend-Lease programme in London; and John G. Winant, the shy, idealistic US ambassador. Citizens of London examines how these men fought to save Britain in its darkest hour. Each formed close ties with Winston Churchill — so much so that all became romantically involved with members of the prime minister’s family.

Drawing on a variety of primary sources, Lynne Olson skilfully depicts the dramatic personal journeys of these men who, determined to save Britain from Hitler, helped convince a cautious FDR and reluctant American public to back the British at a critical time. Deeply human, brilliantly researched, and beautifully written, Citizens of London is a triumph.

‘A nuanced history that captures the immense amount of material on the period and crafts a cracking good read.’

New York Post

Bill Gardner, secretary of state, New Hampshire

View all reviews

Strobe Talbott, author of The Great Experiment: Ancient Empires, Modern States, and the Search for a Global Nation

Jeff Greenfield, senior political correspondent, CBS News

Bob Edwards, radio commentator and author of Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism

Chris Matthews, anchor, MSNBC’s Hardball

Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein

‘An excellent and revealing chronicle.’

Booklist

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

‘An engaging history … A vibrant city fuelled by courage and resolve.’

The Christian Science Monitor

Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation

‘[A] remarkable story of three Americans who were deeply involved in Britain’s struggle for survival in the early 1940s.’

Launceston Examiner

Grantlee Kizea, Courier Mail

NZ International Review

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 198mm × 129mm

Extent:448pp

ISBN (13):9781925106886

RRP:$27.99

Pub date:23 Sep 2015

Rights Held: UK & Commonwealth

High-res cover:Download Image

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL:Download PDF

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AUTHOR

Lynne Olson

Lynne Olson is a New York Times bestselling author of ten books of history, most of which focus on World War II. Olson’s previous book, Empress of the Nile, was published by Scribe in 2023. Other books by Olson include Last Hope Island, Madame Fourcade’s Secret War, and Citizens of London.