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I recently read Lynne Olson\u2019s superb\u00a0Last Hope Island: Britain, Occupied Europe, and the Brotherhood That Helped Turn the Tide of War<\/a><\/span><\/em>, and I want to commend it to anybody who is (as I am) interested in World War Two.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It flows\u00a0like a novel. \u00a0It\u2019s the kind of narrative history that I love to read.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n That said, its account of the cluelessness of the politicians in many European countries in the face of the rise of the Third Reich will astonish you \u2014 and, I hope, admonish us all. \u00a0Moreover,\u00a0its narrative of the petty jealousies and incompetence of many leaders on the Allied side will depress you, and its tale of their coverups, betrayals, and scapegoating will enrage you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Thankfully, there are also stories of courage, competence, loyalty, heroism, and ingenuity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I recommend it with unreserved enthusiasm.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And please don\u2019t forget, if you decide to order it (or anything else) through Amazon.com, that you can make donations to the Interpreter Foundation (or to one of many other charities of your choice) through AmazonSmile<\/a> at absolutely no cost to yourself<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also seen a number of movies recently. \u00a0(Long transoceanic flights are my best opportunity for such viewing.) \u00a0I\u2019ll mention two:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Queen of<\/a> Katwe<\/a> <\/em>was\u00a0<\/i>touching and quite enjoyable.<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n