Chapter Eight, A Prime Minister Alone, 1940-1941 Summary and Analysis

Churchill has to quickly learn the ropes as Prime Minister but does so handily. He immediately sets up a daily routine and strict private security for military decision-making. He is truly a national Prime Minister, with leaders from Labour, the Liberals and the Conservatives in his cabinet. He does his best to strengthen the resolve of the French, despite the fact that the French army is completely collapsing. Churchill's speeches help inspire the British to believe that while the French may falter that they never will. Churchill's sense of British history allows him to construct the image of the British people as a proud, martial, moral and free people that have never bowed to a tyrant.

France eventually falls and Churchill hopes that the conquered peoples of Europe can...