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The Phoney Victory

The World War II Illusion

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The Phoney Victory

By: Peter Hitchens
Narrated by: Peter Hitchens
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Was World War II really the 'Good War'? In the years since the declaration of peace in 1945, many myths have sprung up around the conflict in the victorious nations. In this audiobook, Peter Hitchens deconstructs the many fables which have become associated with the narrative of the 'Good War'.

Whilst not criticising or doubting the need for war against Nazi Germany at some stage, Hitchens does query whether September 1939 was the right moment or the independence of Poland the right issue. He points out that in the summer of 1939 Britain and France were wholly unprepared for a major European war and that this quickly became apparent in the conflict that ensued. He also rejects the retroactive claim that Britain went to war in 1939 to save the Jewish population of Europe. On the contrary, the beginning and intensification of war made it easier for Germany to begin the policy of mass murder in secret as well as closing most escape routes.

In a provocative but deeply researched book, Hitchens questions the most common assumptions surrounding World War II, turning on its head the myth of Britain's role in a 'Good War'.

©2018 Peter Hitchens (P)2019 Audible, Ltd 20th Century Europe Great Britain Military Modern Politics & Government World War Inspiring Royalty Imperialism Winston Churchill Mythology Interwar Period
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The easiness of Hitchens’ destruction of the Good War myth is not an easy thing to listen to. But it is essential reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of the UK’s dire plight after WW1, or it’s often feeble state today.

I enjoy Peter’s reading of his own book, he is well spoken. However it does have a slight amateurish feel to it.

Not an easy listen for any Briton

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a very thought-provoking book that is well researched and we'll challenge many long-held beliefs about Britain and the second world war. It explores how we stumbled into war and how we came out of it much worse even though we with the Victor.
whilst not diminishing the horrors of the Nazi regime it points to some of the war crimes committed by Britain and her allies

turned upside down everything I knew about WW2

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What a loss this man is. How very great a loss to humanity. The unpopular voice is often the one that makes you think, makes you confront what you thought you knew.
A fine book.

As always

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Peter Hitchens has a reputation as something of a humourless contrarian, but his arguments are always thorough and compelling and often leave the audience feeling slightly bereft, but always enlightened to new point of view.This book has a similar effect.
As a Britisher you would not read this book in search of jingoistic anecdotes of ‘Mad Jack Churchill’ and his longbow, or Sterling and the heroism of the SAS, all acting under the bold command of Winston Churchill. Instead you get a very humbling account of mistakes, failures and misplaced blame/phrase that reveals that we were in many ways a ‘secondary character’ in WWII. The point that we ultimately fought to defend an empire that was already ailing and was essentially non-existent by the war’s end, highlights this. But it is extremely interesting to be informed as such.
Definitely worth a read for anyone looking to see Britain’s involvement in the war through clear eyes.

A clear eyed revelation of Britain’s role in WWII

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Peter Hitchens examines what I have long suspected to be true, but perception was obscured by prevailing narratives.
As an undergraduate I was always mystified that Britain went to war for Poland only to give it to the Soviets 5 years later. In fact, Britain never actually went to war for Poland, and war could have been avoided.
Peter Hitchens's book certainly is not one for those who wish to avoid painful truths or to cling to romanticized myths. Hitchens examines painful truths that are well known, but rarely publicised, such as the senseless bombing of German civilians, or the even lesser known ethnic cleansing of Germans in European territories after the War.
Hitchens book uses painful truths and presents a very different Narrative. No doubt difficult for many to accept, but a truly compelling read.

Familiar Facts, Different Narrative

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