"I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.'"On May 13th, 1940, Winston Churchill stood before the House of Commons to deliver his first speech as Prime Minister. Three days earlier Germany had invaded Holland, Belgium and France. Meeting only with feeble resistance, Hitler's armies were sweeping westward. Neville Chamberlain had been pressed to resign, and Churchill succeeded him.When Churchill rose to address the House of Commons on May 13th he had little support from the Conservative Party. "I have never believed in him," wrote one MP. Another described Churchill as a "disaster." Most of his own Conservative Party had applauded not Churchill but Chamberlain when the latter entered the hall. Churchill's speech received no overwhelming applause. It was not broadcast to the nation that night.In Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat, the eminent historian and master storyteller John Lukacs describes and discusses this extraordinary and - at the time - little appreciated speech. Churchill's rhetoric, he argues, emanated from his vision of history which defined his leadership throughout the war. For Churchill recognized, far earlier than most, the power of Adolph Hitler, and the strength of the German military. "I hope it is not too late," Churchill had confided to his bodyguard on May 10th. "I am very much afraid that it is," He added: "We can only do our best."Churchill made no promises in his speech. He knew he had none to make. And yet he would and did rally England. For Churchill - and Churchill alone - understood what was at stake: the fate not only of his nation, but of civilization itself. Read Less