The author brings the year's events to life recounting major events such as the fall of France, the Battle of Britain, the occupation of Denmark and Norway and the defeat of Finland, together with the experiences of little known players. Amongst these are Theodor Broch - heroic mayor of Narvik, Rene de Chambrun - a young French officer despatched to Washington to plead his country's cause, and Polly Peabody - a young New York socialite who organised a field hospital and brought it to Europe
