THIS FASCINATING book by an American author takes a new look at how one great national leader successfully "courted" another at a time of international crisis, and delves objectively into their complex five-year relationship.

The "wooer" was Britain's wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and the recipient of his attentions was the American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who held that office from 1933 until he died in 1945.

The two had met once before, on a visit to England in 1918, and Roosevelt disliked him and disapproved of the British Empire.

But Churchill persevered and built up a warm friendship with Roosevelt, who gave Britain considerable public support and aid.

The two men were very different temperamentally and, behind the smiles, each was pursuing his own agenda.

The fact that their relationship succeeded as well as it did is to the credit of the British Prime Minister, who often had to swallow his pride in the interests of his country.

Franklin and Winston - A Portrait of a Friendship by Jon Meacham is published by Granta Books, priced £25