--- product_id: 6617053 title: "Fateful Choices: Ten Decisions That Changed the World, 1940-1941" price: "189.13 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/6617053-fateful-choices-ten-decisions-that-changed-the-world-1940-1941 store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # Fateful Choices: Ten Decisions That Changed the World, 1940-1941 **Price:** 189.13 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Fateful Choices: Ten Decisions That Changed the World, 1940-1941 - **How much does it cost?** 189.13 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/6617053-fateful-choices-ten-decisions-that-changed-the-world-1940-1941) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description The newest immensely original undertaking from the historian who gave us the defining two-volume portrait of Hitler, Fateful Choices puts Ian Kershaw's analytical and storytelling gifts on dazzling display. From May 1940 to December 1941, the leaders of the world's six major powers made a series of related decisions that determined the final outcome of World War II and shaped the course of human destiny. As the author examines the connected stories of these profound choices, he restores a sense of drama and contingency to this pivotal moment, producing one of the freshest, most important books on World War II in years' one with powerful contemporary relevance. Review: A careful look at the decisions of six key leaders of WWII. - If you haven't read much of WWII, this book would be an ideal place to start or to expand your understanding. If you're an experienced reader, you can still appreciate the straightforward and informative way the author has compiled this history. The author has chosen ten decisions by six of the leading commanders of the war. He carefully describes the decision and then provides a fairly comprehensive history leading up to that decision as well as the subsequent impact of the future prosecution of the war. During the discussion, you will not only learn about the progression in making that decision but also learn about the individual making that decision and the circumstances and people surrounding him that try to influence that decision. The ten Fateful Choices are: 1. Churchill's decision in May, 1940 to continue the war rather than negotiate with Hitler and Mussolini. 2. Hitler decides to attack the Soviet Union. 3. Japan decides to attack China. 4. Mussolini decides to join the war on Hitler's side. 5. Roosevelt decides to lend a helping hand to Britain. 6. Stalin decides he knows best and ignores all the clear signals that Germany is going to invade. 7. Roosevelt decides to wage undeclared war. 8. Japan decides to go to war against the US. 9. Hitler decides to declare war on the US. 0. Hitler decides to commit genocide. These ten events are laid out chronologically, starting out with the pugnacious Churchill refusing to negotiate with Mussolini and Hitler in mid 1940 and winds up with Hitler deciding on a formal program of genocide in late 1941. You will also read about Hitler's obsession to invade Russia that will blind him from alternative action or the politically savvy Roosevelt who is cautious to enter the fray. There is both Mussolini and Tojo who thought their country was destined for greater accomplishments and disregarding logic, overreach and take steps that will destroy their countries. Stalin, the supreme leader and confident manipulator who "knows" Hitler will not invade until 1942 and can't believe it when he's proven wrong. While the author covers the alternative choices each commander had before him, Mr Kershaw refuses to be drawn into the realm of alternate history. That's too bad; with the author's experience it would have been interesting to hear his views on how the war would have played out if Hitler decided to conquer North Africa and the Middle East before invading Russia. There are many alternate histories that could have been discussed but it just wasn't in the author's purview. Of the ten decisions, Churchill made one, Hitler 3, Tojo 2, Mussolini 1, Roosevelt 2 and Stalin 1. The average length of these chronicles is 42 pages, with the shortest being 33 pages and 59 pages for the longest. President Roosevelt has the honor of having both the shortest and longest chronicle. There are five maps and 28 photos. Being an academic, Mr Kershaw provides an extensive Notes Section and Bibliography of secondary sources as well as a useful Index if further study is desired. This synergistic book is comprehensive and well documented within specific spheres of the early events of the war, making a good reference for many of us and is recommended. Review: 4 Leaders Plus One Imbecile - Author Kershaw looks through a microscope at 10 key decisions that resulted in practically the whole world becoming engaged in war. The unique aspect of this book is to combine the fateful decisions made by five world leaders (and one imbecile) during the years 1940 and 1941. Other reviewers have spelled out the ten decisions so I won't repeat them. First of all I will explain what I mean by saying one member of this group is an imbecile. I'm talking about Mussolini, and at the end of a chapter on him Mr. Kershaw, in frustration, calls him that name. Indeed the chapter on Mussolini can almost be considered, tragically of course, a bit of comic relief. Mussolini was like a puppy dog trying to tag along with his master, Hitler, and get some glory for himself. What should he do in the midst of victory after victory by Germany. He decides why not invade Greece. He sits down with his marginally competent general staff, and in an hour and a half discussion they decide to invade. That's it. No long term, detailed plans, just that short chat. Italy is almost bankrupt, does not have a well trained army, lacks sophisticated equipment yet invades Greece within weeks of that meeting, and gets, well, stuck in the mud so to speak. What's interesting about the other fateful decisions is that each leader was well out on a limb when his country decided to ease or jump into war. At that time, for example, the United States had an army about the size of the Dutch army. All of the countries faced economic problems, and most of them had not learned an awful lot from their experiences in WWI. Roosevelt's task was to ease the country toward helping Britain by gradually coaxing the public and congress along toward that end. Japan's leaders vacillated about entering a war with the U.S., but felt they had to do just that following America's embargo on scrap iron and oil shipments. Stalin was deluded into thinking that Germany would not invade Russia until 1942, and tended to disregard all evidence that indicated the attack would be in 1941. When the invasion took place he was so shaken that he could not function for several days. Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini were prompted by maintaining national prestige. Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill were trying to keep their world from collapsing. Hitler declared war on the U.S. without consulting with any of his advisors. This is a fascinating book that ties together all of the elements that led our world leaders into the worst war of all time. I might point out that for some WWII buffs certain chapters may not provide new information to the reader. There are other books, such as biographies of Hitler, Roosevelt and Stalin, that cover one of these chapters in even greater detail, but this may be the only book that examines all the major world leaders during the time period 1940-1941. The only thing that frustrated me is that each chapter usually ends at a momentous decision point, and you think "more, more, don't stop here." Well the thing to do is just get more books that do go on from there. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,137,169 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #425 in Jewish Holocaust History #2,203 in World War II History (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 243 Reviews | ## Images ![Fateful Choices: Ten Decisions That Changed the World, 1940-1941 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61OO-QTeMiL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A careful look at the decisions of six key leaders of WWII. *by D***K on September 5, 2010* If you haven't read much of WWII, this book would be an ideal place to start or to expand your understanding. If you're an experienced reader, you can still appreciate the straightforward and informative way the author has compiled this history. The author has chosen ten decisions by six of the leading commanders of the war. He carefully describes the decision and then provides a fairly comprehensive history leading up to that decision as well as the subsequent impact of the future prosecution of the war. During the discussion, you will not only learn about the progression in making that decision but also learn about the individual making that decision and the circumstances and people surrounding him that try to influence that decision. The ten Fateful Choices are: 1. Churchill's decision in May, 1940 to continue the war rather than negotiate with Hitler and Mussolini. 2. Hitler decides to attack the Soviet Union. 3. Japan decides to attack China. 4. Mussolini decides to join the war on Hitler's side. 5. Roosevelt decides to lend a helping hand to Britain. 6. Stalin decides he knows best and ignores all the clear signals that Germany is going to invade. 7. Roosevelt decides to wage undeclared war. 8. Japan decides to go to war against the US. 9. Hitler decides to declare war on the US. 0. Hitler decides to commit genocide. These ten events are laid out chronologically, starting out with the pugnacious Churchill refusing to negotiate with Mussolini and Hitler in mid 1940 and winds up with Hitler deciding on a formal program of genocide in late 1941. You will also read about Hitler's obsession to invade Russia that will blind him from alternative action or the politically savvy Roosevelt who is cautious to enter the fray. There is both Mussolini and Tojo who thought their country was destined for greater accomplishments and disregarding logic, overreach and take steps that will destroy their countries. Stalin, the supreme leader and confident manipulator who "knows" Hitler will not invade until 1942 and can't believe it when he's proven wrong. While the author covers the alternative choices each commander had before him, Mr Kershaw refuses to be drawn into the realm of alternate history. That's too bad; with the author's experience it would have been interesting to hear his views on how the war would have played out if Hitler decided to conquer North Africa and the Middle East before invading Russia. There are many alternate histories that could have been discussed but it just wasn't in the author's purview. Of the ten decisions, Churchill made one, Hitler 3, Tojo 2, Mussolini 1, Roosevelt 2 and Stalin 1. The average length of these chronicles is 42 pages, with the shortest being 33 pages and 59 pages for the longest. President Roosevelt has the honor of having both the shortest and longest chronicle. There are five maps and 28 photos. Being an academic, Mr Kershaw provides an extensive Notes Section and Bibliography of secondary sources as well as a useful Index if further study is desired. This synergistic book is comprehensive and well documented within specific spheres of the early events of the war, making a good reference for many of us and is recommended. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Leaders Plus One Imbecile *by B***M on January 19, 2008* Author Kershaw looks through a microscope at 10 key decisions that resulted in practically the whole world becoming engaged in war. The unique aspect of this book is to combine the fateful decisions made by five world leaders (and one imbecile) during the years 1940 and 1941. Other reviewers have spelled out the ten decisions so I won't repeat them. First of all I will explain what I mean by saying one member of this group is an imbecile. I'm talking about Mussolini, and at the end of a chapter on him Mr. Kershaw, in frustration, calls him that name. Indeed the chapter on Mussolini can almost be considered, tragically of course, a bit of comic relief. Mussolini was like a puppy dog trying to tag along with his master, Hitler, and get some glory for himself. What should he do in the midst of victory after victory by Germany. He decides why not invade Greece. He sits down with his marginally competent general staff, and in an hour and a half discussion they decide to invade. That's it. No long term, detailed plans, just that short chat. Italy is almost bankrupt, does not have a well trained army, lacks sophisticated equipment yet invades Greece within weeks of that meeting, and gets, well, stuck in the mud so to speak. What's interesting about the other fateful decisions is that each leader was well out on a limb when his country decided to ease or jump into war. At that time, for example, the United States had an army about the size of the Dutch army. All of the countries faced economic problems, and most of them had not learned an awful lot from their experiences in WWI. Roosevelt's task was to ease the country toward helping Britain by gradually coaxing the public and congress along toward that end. Japan's leaders vacillated about entering a war with the U.S., but felt they had to do just that following America's embargo on scrap iron and oil shipments. Stalin was deluded into thinking that Germany would not invade Russia until 1942, and tended to disregard all evidence that indicated the attack would be in 1941. When the invasion took place he was so shaken that he could not function for several days. Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini were prompted by maintaining national prestige. Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill were trying to keep their world from collapsing. Hitler declared war on the U.S. without consulting with any of his advisors. This is a fascinating book that ties together all of the elements that led our world leaders into the worst war of all time. I might point out that for some WWII buffs certain chapters may not provide new information to the reader. There are other books, such as biographies of Hitler, Roosevelt and Stalin, that cover one of these chapters in even greater detail, but this may be the only book that examines all the major world leaders during the time period 1940-1941. The only thing that frustrated me is that each chapter usually ends at a momentous decision point, and you think "more, more, don't stop here." Well the thing to do is just get more books that do go on from there. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very valuable for the understanding of WW II *by J***G on November 29, 2012* If you want to know what made things happen in the time before and in the beginning of WW II this is the book to read. In detail you get to know the main actors and what made them tick and are helped to understand the mechanisms in their societies. Ian Kershaw for instance explains that the western powers are skilled in discussing and come to an understanding in the end. It takes a little longer, but you will eventually see a result. In this way you are able to coordinate your efforts and be more effective. Even the dictator, Stalin had been trained by Lenin in discussing. He wanted to decide for himself, but the discussing was known to him. The dictatorships in Germany, Italy and Japan have no experience and no training in coordination with other powers. They all knew best and saw no need to tell their partners, where they were going and when. This made them very ineffective. Mussolini was very offended by the german successses in 1938/39/40 and wanted a succes of his own and attaced Greece without consulting Hitler. It went very bad, and Hitler had to send help using valuable resources. The reason why I have given 4 and not 5 stars is that reading the book on my Kindle I found it impossible to go to the notes and read more. A better solution would have been to make a link between the reference number and the note. In this way you easily could find the note and with the back-key return to where you came from. Jorgen Engberg --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/6617053-fateful-choices-ten-decisions-that-changed-the-world-1940-1941](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/6617053-fateful-choices-ten-decisions-that-changed-the-world-1940-1941) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-11-11*