The Hour Strikes

A riveting, in-the-room account of the pivotal six months in 1941 that turned the tide of World War II, as Churchill and Roosevelt forged a crucial alliance and Hitler squandered his early advantage—from the New York Times bestselling author of Road to Surrender

In the summer of 1941, Winston Churchill was desperate—for two years, Britain had stood alone against Germany, heavily battered by the Blitz as another season of grinding war loomed. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the ally Churchill needed most, was coyly evading any commitment to join the war; Americans, FDR knew, weren't worried enough about the Axis to risk sending their sons overseas. Meanwhile for an arrogant Adolf Hitler, whose war machine had already swept across Europe and now looked poised any day to take Moscow, the continent seemed all but won.

By late December, though, Churchill would be lighting the White House Christmas tree with Roosevelt as an open ally, while in Berlin, basic supplies would be running out in an omen of the years to come. In the course of a few months, the war's direction was critically, permanently reversed—a result of crucial strategic calls made by the Allies, and of equally vital missteps by the Axis. Hitler's early advantage, once fumbled, would never be regained.

To bring these heart-pounding decisions to life, historian Evan Thomas vividly takes us into the war rooms of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Hitler. Placing us inside the span of a few months that would redefine the course of the war—as Churchill implores Roosevelt at a secret meeting in the Atlantic, as Hitler tries to parse German intelligence reports from D.C.—The Hour Strikes grants us intimate access to the men who would redefine a world.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs