History books usually feel like dusty homework. You know the vibe—endless dates, dry maps, and generals staring sternly from oil paintings. But honestly, Lynne Olson’s Citizens of London is different. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s surprisingly sexy for a book about the 1940s.
Basically, it's the story of how three Americans—Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant—fell in love with a city that was literally falling apart. They weren't just diplomats or reporters. They were the bridge that kept the U.S. and Britain from tearing each other’s eyes out before the Nazis could do it for them.
The Americans Who Saved the Special Relationship
We’re taught that the "Special Relationship" was inevitable. Churchill and Roosevelt, two titans of democracy, shaking hands and saving the world. Right? Wrong. Olson shows us that the reality was way more toxic. Roosevelt was cautious and, frankly, a bit of a political shark who didn't want to get dragged into another European bloodbath. The American public was isolationist. Meanwhile, the British were desperate, broke, and feeling abandoned.
Enter the three "citizens" who changed everything.
Edward R. Murrow: The Voice of the Blitz
You’ve seen the photos of the guy with the cigarette and the intense eyes. Murrow didn’t just report the news; he brought the sound of exploding bombs into American living rooms. He’d stand on rooftops during the Blitz, describing the fires while the ground shook under his feet. He made Americans feel the war. Without his broadcasts, the push for the U.S. to enter the fight might have stalled out completely.
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Gil Winant: The Forgotten Hero
John Gilbert Winant is the soul of this book. He was the U.S. Ambassador who replaced the disastrous Joe Kennedy (who basically thought Britain was doomed and wanted to make a deal with Hitler). Winant was different. He was shy, awkward, and stayed up all night walking the streets of London with regular people during the raids. When he first arrived, he told the British people, "I’m very glad to be here," and he actually meant it. He gave them hope when they had nothing else.
Averell Harriman: The Fixer
Then there was Harriman. A multimillionaire playboy in charge of the Lend-Lease program. He was the guy who made sure the planes, tanks, and food actually showed up. He was also deeply embedded in Churchill's inner circle—maybe a little too deeply, considering the affairs.
Why the Personal Drama Matters
One thing that makes Citizens of London so readable is that Olson doesn't ignore the gossip. She leans into it. All three of these men had intense, complicated relationships with members of Winston Churchill's family.
- Harriman and Murrow both had affairs with Pamela Churchill (Winston’s daughter-in-law).
- Winant fell for Sarah Churchill (Winston’s daughter).
Is this just tabloid fodder? Not really. These relationships meant these American men were essentially part of Churchill’s household. They ate dinner with him, argued with him, and stayed at Chequers (the PM's country house) while the world burned. This level of access allowed them to smooth over diplomatic disasters that would have ruined a formal alliance. It was personal diplomacy at its most extreme.
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The London Nobody Remembers
Olson’s writing makes wartime London feel like a character itself. It wasn't just a place of "keep calm and carry on" stoicism. It was a city where people lived like there was no tomorrow—because there might not be.
She describes a city where the nights were pitch black due to the blackout, but the clubs were packed. It was a weird mix of terror and total freedom. People were having affairs, drinking too much, and dancing while the anti-aircraft guns roared outside. It was a "vibrant cosmopolitan metropolis" humming with a sort of frantic energy that you just don't find in textbooks.
What Most People Get Wrong About FDR
One of the more controversial parts of the book—and something you should definitely look out for—is Olson’s take on Franklin Roosevelt. Most historians treat FDR as the ultimate hero. Olson is a lot more critical.
She portrays him as petty and sometimes obstructive. He kept his own diplomats in the dark. He played people against each other. It’s a refreshing, if slightly jarring, look at a man who is usually untouchable in American history. You might not agree with her, but she backs it up with a lot of research from diaries and letters of the people who were actually there.
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Why You Should Read It Now
We live in a time where alliances feel fragile again. Reading about how hard Winant and Murrow worked to keep the U.S. and Britain on the same page is a massive reality check. It reminds you that history isn't moved by abstract "forces." It's moved by people who show up, stay up late, and care enough to get their hands dirty.
Actionable Insights for the History Buff
If you’re planning to dive into Citizens of London, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Look for the "Little" People: Don't just focus on the big names. Pay attention to the stories of the Londoners—the bus drivers, the nurses, and the families who lived through the raids. They are the "citizens" Olson is talking about.
- Cross-Reference the Broadcasts: Go to YouTube and look up Edward R. Murrow’s "London After Dark" or his Blitz broadcasts. Hearing his voice while reading the book makes the experience 10x more immersive.
- Visit the Sites (Virtually or in Person): If you're ever in London, visit Grosvenor Square (once known as "Eisenhower Platz"). The book breathes life into those streets. You'll see the ghosts of the GIs and the diplomats everywhere.
- Compare Perspectives: If you've read Churchill's memoirs, read this next. It provides a much-needed outside perspective on the "Great Man" and shows the cracks in the facade he spent years building.
The book is long, but it moves fast. It’s about 500 pages of high-stakes drama that just happens to be true. By the time you finish, you won't just know more about WWII—you'll feel like you were there, shivering in a cold London flat, waiting for the sirens to stop.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Listen to the Audio: If you struggle with thick history books, the audiobook version narrated by Arthur Morey is excellent and captures Murrow's gravitas.
- Check the Bibliography: Olson uses a ton of primary sources. If a particular figure like Gil Winant interests you, her source list is a goldmine for further reading on the "Special Relationship."