Beyond the Odds - Providence in Britain’s wars of the 20th century

At many times in the two World Wars Britain was saved from disaster in circumstances that defied probabilities. There were sudden changes in the weather, inexplicable mistakes in strategy and tactics by the enemy and other extraordinary events. Beyond the Odds explores turning points in the World Wars, with in-depth accounts of diplomacy and wartime operations. Leaders and commanders in the Second World War, such as Churchill and his Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Alan Brooke, saw the outworking of providence in that war. Recording the faith of commanders, and National Days of Prayer, the book provides fresh perspectives on momentous occurrences, as seen by those who experienced them.

Three chapters focus on the First World War – 1914 and 1918 – when the Allies were perilously close to defeat. The accounts cover the ‘Angels of Mons’ and the 1917 campaign in Palestine. The five chapters on the Second World War include the fall of France, the Dunkirk evacuation and the Battle of Britain in 1940, as well as the war in North Africa, Italy, Russia and the Pacific 1941-1943, and D-Day in 1944. Further chapters encompass the siege of Malta in the Second World War and the Falklands conflict of 1982, and there is a revealing discussion of Churchill’s Christianity.

The book includes surprising accounts from contemporary sources. These include the evacuation of Channel ports by the French in 1914 – the Germans failed to see that they could take these (as they then did in 1940); the experiences of the soldiers who captured Jerusalem in 1917; British diplomacy in 1938 and 1939, with a remarkable admission by Chamberlain to Hitler about the opening of the First World War; and incidents in the Dunkirk evacuation, including one recounted to the writer by his father. 

The authors do not shrink from the calamities of war and describe failures as well as successes, but the resilience of the wartime generations shines through. The book is strong on accessible narrative history, which Major General (retd) Tim Cross describes as ‘compelling’, while former US Army Deputy Chief of Staff says: ‘If you like history, you will really like this book.’

Extracts from Commendations:

‘As well as describing events in compelling narrative, this book, uniquely in my experience, unashamedly focuses in on the Christian faith of many of the key players in these campaigns… I am [therefore] delighted to commend this account, which faithfully documents the wartime providence of God, in a previously unseen level of detail and historical credibility.’

MAJOR GENERAL (RETD) TIM CROSS, CBE

‘If you like history, you will really like this book. Well researched, clear and engaging, this account of conflict from a UK perspective, from WW1 to the Falklands, is enlightening and compelling.’

MAJOR GENERAL (RETD) CHRIS MCPADDEN, FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, US ARMY

‘Rich in the way the military overcome acute personal danger or the burden of high command. There is something here to make every reader stop and think. ‘

LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RETD) ROBIN BRIMS, CB, CBE, DSO

‘A sweeping narrative spanning three wars and almost a century. The story of the leaders is an inspiring one, fully knit into the narrative of war, and full of wisdom for today.’

DR CARL E. ARMERDING, CAPTAIN (RETD) US NAVY, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, REGENT COLLEGE VANCOUVER   

‘The degree of attention to allied and enemy perspectives is especially refreshing. And, beyond this, here is an account that without loss of scholarly objectivity opens up the question of the place of God in it all.’

PROFESSOR JOHN NOLLAND, PHD (CANTAB), TRINITY COLLEGE, BRISTOL

The Authors

John Scriven read history and law at Trinity College, Cambridge and served as a Captain in 6/7 Battalion (Territorial Army), The Queen’s Regiment. His books include Belief and the Nation (2013).

Tim Dieppe studied at St Edmund Hall, Oxford and later obtained an MA in Kingdom Theology from Westminster Theological Centre.