THE PROFESSOR AND THE PRIME MINISTER

by The Earl of Birkenhead ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 20, 1961

Frederick Lindemann, Lord Cherwell, probably exercised more political power than any other scientist in history as Churchill's scientific advisor during the war. His influence was made possible by the fact that he was a close personal friend of the Prime Minister and Churchill's private brain trust on almost any governmental matter, scientific or otherwise. Personally wealthy, fastidious, and inhibited, Cherwell enjoyed the company of titled persons and never bothered to conceal his dislike of Jews and colored people. He was a bitter antagonist and a ruthless polemicist for views he strongly held. He was thoroughly disliked in many quarters and especially in the academic world where he spent the greatest part of his working life. Lord Birkenhead, whose father knew Lindemann well, is a sympathetic biographer. He admits many of Cherwell's faults, but tries to explain or minimize others. In particular, he seeks to refute charges made by Sir Charles Snow in his Harvard lectures that Cherwell tried to slow down the early research on radar in favour of other projects, and that Cherwell was alone (against Tizard and others) in urging a massive bombing of German cities in order to demoralize the populace. His book makes excellent reading, although of course many questions remain unsettled.

Pub Date: Feb. 20, 1961

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1961

Categories: NONFICTION