Britain at Bay, by Alan Allport (2020), is a sweeping first volume covering Britain’s early years in World War II (1938–1941).
It is a magisterial retelling of a familiar story. Allport debunks the usual heroic story of David rising from the ashes to beat the Goliath in the form of the Huns.
This heroic version has seeped into the British mindset such that their prime ministers and ministers have a glorified view and misplaced importance of their seat at the world’s table.
Allport says it’s all a myth. In this wonderfully told history, which took him 5 years to write, he tells a story of military defeat after military defeat.
I bought this book in Leeds Castle on 26 June 2024 and am looking forward to reading the 2nd volume due out on 20 November 2025.
Advance Britannia: How the Second World War Was Won, 1942-1945 was
supposed to be out late last year. Perhaps the huge expectations placed after the immense success of the first volume, which won many prizes, have delayed the release.
LWH, 14 August 2025