The remarkable untold story of how the unfancied Winston Churchill became Prime Minister

'A gripping new political history of the countdown to 1939 ... Olson elegantly brings this political milieu to life' Guardian

'A fascinating story that Olson tells with great dash ... a spirited, propulsive work of popular history ... Olson vividly recreates the climate of suspicion and hostility that surrounded the troublesome young men, a tiny minority with a seemingly hopeless cause' New York Times

In May 1940, Britain was at war with Germany and Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister, struggling with a poorly prepared defence against Hitler.

But waiting in the wings was a group of Tory rebels who would change the course of history. They were doing the unthinkable: trying to topple their leader from power.

This is Lynne Olson's fascinating account of how these troublesome young men risked political suicide and vilification as traitors to their class, party and government, and paved the way for Winston Churchill to step in as Britain's saviour.