The Rivals Who Defeated Hitler

The landmark history of the alliance that won the war and made the peace – from the author of the acclaimed Appeasing Hitler

‘Astonishing. Compellingly told, immensely wide-ranging and utterly fascinating’ JAMES HOLLAND

‘The best book I have ever read about the politics of the Second World War’ TIM SHIPMAN

After the fall of France in June 1940, only Britain stood between Hitler and total victory. Desperate for allies, Winston Churchill did all he could to bring the United States into the conflict, drive the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany apart, and persuade neutral countries to resist German domination.

By 1942, after the German invasion of Russia and Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the British-Soviet-American alliance was in place. But it was an incongruous coalition, divided by ideology and riven with mistrust and deceit. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin were partners in the fight against Hitler, yet they were also rivals who disagreed on strategy, imperialism and the future of Europe.

Through an unprecedented range of vivid first-hand accounts and unpublished material, we enter the rooms where the critical decisions were made – revealing the political drama behind the military events. Compelling, fast-paced narrative history at its best, Allies at War offers a completely fresh perspective on the Second World War and origins of the Cold War.

'Impeccably researched, elegantly written, and compellingly argued' THE TIMES

'Terrific . Bouverie is a historian with an exceptional command of his subject' DAILY MAIL

'A new star is born . Powerful and well researched' INDEPENDENT

** SHORTLISTED FOR THE POL ROGER DUFF COOPER PRIZE 2026 **