Watching Darkness Fall by David McKean Summary

Watching Darkness Fall examines Franklin D. Roosevelt’s diplomatic strategy in 1930s Europe through the perspectives of four U.S. ambassadors: William Dodd in Germany, Breckenridge Long in Italy, William Bullitt in France, and Joseph P. Kennedy in Britain. The book highlights their conflicting assessments of Hitler’s rise, with Dodd sounding early alarms about Nazi Germany while others downplayed the threat. It reveals FDR’s challenges in balancing isolationist politics with growing global tensions.

This book is ideal for history enthusiasts interested in WWII’s lead-up, U.S. foreign policy, or FDR’s presidency. Readers familiar with pre-war European politics will appreciate its deep analysis of diplomatic missteps, while those seeking insights into leadership during crises will find value in its portrayal of Roosevelt’s strategic dilemmas.

Yes, for its meticulous research and gripping narrative. David McKean illuminates lesser-known diplomatic failures and personalities, offering a fresh perspective on how U.S. leaders misjudged Hitler. However, beginners to WWII history may find the dense political detail challenging initially.

The book contrasts William Dodd’s prescient warnings about Nazi Germany with the appeasement-oriented views of Kennedy, Bullitt, and Long. Bullitt’s romanticized reports from France and Kennedy’s anti-Semitic leanings are criticized for blinding FDR to the urgency of intervention, while Long openly admired Mussolini’s fascist regime.

It delves into 1930s isolationism, the Great Depression’s impact on U.S. foreign policy, and the rise of fascism in Germany, Italy, and Spain. McKean emphasizes how FDR’s focus on domestic recovery and congressional resistance hindered proactive measures against Hitler.

Some reviewers note its slow start due to intricate political details, which may overwhelm casual readers. Others highlight its narrow focus on diplomatic correspondence over broader societal trends, potentially oversimplifying Europe’s complex pre-war dynamics.

Unlike broader WWII accounts, McKean’s book zooms in on diplomatic miscommunications and personal biases within FDR’s inner circle. It complements works like Erik Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts but offers a darker critique of American ambassadorial failures.

The book underscores the dangers of ideological blindness and the importance of accurate intelligence. Dodd’s unheeded warnings serve as a cautionary tale about prioritizing political convenience over moral accountability in international relations.

FDR emerges as a pragmatic leader constrained by isolationism and conflicting advisor input. McKean critiques his delayed response to Nazi aggression but acknowledges his eventual shift toward preparing America for war despite public opposition.

McKean relies on embassy cables, personal diaries (like Dodd’s), and declassified government documents to reconstruct diplomatic dialogues. These sources reveal stark contrasts between ambassadors’ private doubts and public reassurances.

Its themes of misinformation, leadership during crises, and balancing national interests with global threats resonate in modern geopolitics. The book serves as a reminder of how misjudging authoritarian regimes can have catastrophic consequences.

Indirectly, through Dodd’s reports on Nazi persecution of Jews and the indifference of figures like Kennedy. McKean highlights how U.S. inaction allowed systemic antisemitism to escalate unchecked in Germany.