The Memoirs Of Lord Ismay

“This memoir is a masterly narrative by a participant at the very centre of British decision-making during the entire Second World War. Major General ‘Pug’ Ismay was appointed secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence in July 1938 and from there became, in May 1940, Churchill’s senior military assistant and an additional member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Officially, his role was the leadership of the office of the minister of defence. Churchill was by then both prime minister and minister of defence and continued in these twin roles throughout the war. Ismay saw himself as Churchill’s ‘agent’ and was once flippantly described as his ‘Eminence Khaki’. Ismay was in a unique position to observe Churchill, who became a close confidante.

Ismay has been praised by several highly-placed sources for his achievements in diplomacy and man-management during his Army service. His tact and charm kept the potential friction between the chiefs-of-staff and their political masters entirely controlled. His ability to ride the sometimes wild swings in Churchill’s temperament, yet still bring to committees the correct interpretation and thrust of Churchill’s views, was highly valued.

This book is a masterpiece of prose. It is a remarkable product of its time and is in no way self-indulgent. It lacks military jargon and acronyms. It is full of interesting and humorous anecdotes and provides an excellent account of many aspects of Churchill’s non-public persona. It contains a single monotone plate of the author as well as three organisational diagrams and four maps. Not only military historians, but anyone with an interest in British history from the 1920s to the 1950s, would be greatly satisfied with it.”—Bruce Short RUSI Journal