Arms, Men and Governments: The War Policies of Canada, 1939-1945

Arms, Men and Governments examines Canada's military and political strategies during World War II. The book documents the creation and execution of Canadian war policies from 1939-1945, with focus on military expansion, resource allocation, and relationships with Allied powers. Drawing from government archives and military records, Stacey analyzes the decision-making processes of Canada's wartime leadership. The narrative covers military recruitment, industrial mobilization, and the development of Canada's armed forces across army, navy, and air force branches. The work details Canada's diplomatic relations with Britain and the United States during the war period. It explores how Canadian leaders balanced sovereignty and national interests while contributing to the Allied cause. This comprehensive study reveals the complexities of a middle power's military organization and policy formation during global conflict. The book stands as a foundational text for understanding Canada's evolution as an independent military and political force.

Readers describe this as a detailed examination of Canada's military administration and decision-making during WWII. Many note its comprehensive research and thorough documentation, with extensive use of primary sources and government records. Liked: - Depth of analysis on bureaucratic and organizational aspects - Coverage of Canada-UK-US relations during the war - Clear explanations of military procurement and manpower policies Disliked: - Dense, academic writing style makes for slow reading - Focus on administrative details rather than combat operations - Limited discussion of social/cultural impacts on Canadian society The book has very few online reviews due to its academic nature and age. No ratings exist on Goodreads or Amazon. Reviews appear mainly in academic journals and military history publications from the 1970s-80s. Historian J.L. Granatstein called it "the definitive account of how Canada organized for war," while noting it may be "too detailed for general readers."

The Six Years War by C.P. Stacey A complete examination of Canada's participation in World War II through military and political decision making.

The Crucible of War by Brereton Greenhous and W.A.B. Douglas The official history of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, focusing on government policy and military operations.

Marching to Armageddon by Desmond Morton and J.L. Granatstein A comprehensive study of Canada's military and political involvement in World War I through government documents and military records.

Fight or Pay by Desmond Morton An analysis of Canadian conscription policies and home front mobilization during World War I through government and military archives.

Alliance and Illusion by Robert Bothwell A detailed examination of Canadian foreign policy and military decisions during the Cold War based on declassified government documents.

🔶 Author C.P. Stacey served as the official historian of the Canadian Army during WWII and had direct access to classified wartime documents and key military figures while writing this book. 🔶 The book reveals that Canada was the only nation among the major Allies that relied entirely on volunteers for overseas service until late 1944. 🔶 Despite being published in 1970, this work remained the definitive study of Canadian high-level military decision-making in WWII for several decades. 🔶 The research shows that Canada's military expanded from just 4,500 personnel in 1939 to over 1.1 million by the war's end—a remarkable mobilization for a country of only 11 million people. 🔶 Stacey's book demonstrates how Canada strategically maintained independent command of its forces while cooperating with British leadership, establishing a precedent for Canadian military autonomy.