The tools were [...] material (2025)

I have found some typos in this book so I wanted ask to you if material is correct here:

It was Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965) – himself a distinguished historian of Queen Anne’s England, descended on his father’s side from the duke of Marlborough, but on his mother’s side from a citizen of the United States – who famously said to his mother’s countrymen: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.”28 The tools for which Churchill was asking in 1941 were, of course, material: ships, airplanes, guns. Early Modern England, 1458 to 1814.

jasminasul said:

Thanks, rajulbat. I meant, should it be materiel?

Click to expand...

No, because materiel is a noun. In the sentence in question, "material" is an adjective.

The tools for which Churchill was asking in 1941 were, of course, material: (i.e. they were physical)

This could be written, The tools for which Churchill was asking in 1941 were, of course, material tools:

Chasint said:

The tools for which Churchill was asking in 1941 were, of course, material: (i.e. they were physical)

Click to expand...

I also interpreted it as an adjective, but not with the meaning "physical". That would make little sense because tools are

physical except when context makes clear that a different meaning is intended (which here it does not). I interpret it as meaning substantial.

The sentence
The tools for which Churchill was asking in 1941 were, of course, material: ships, airplanes, guns.
is followed (click) by
But the job was to defend the political, social, and cultural inheritance of the Atlantic world.

So the writer's drawing a contrast between physical tools and intangible objectives.

That makes it clear - to me - that the writer means material, not materiel; and that the meaning is physical/tangible.

......

. There's an even clearer pointer in the sentence which follows the "But the job..." one: the writer refers to the idealistic and conceptual tools and traditions necessary to achieve a just society, a democratic government, freedom of worship, and an open intellectual life

Loob said:

So the writer's drawing a contrast between physical tools and intangible objectives.

Click to expand...

That by itself isn't enough, I feel, since objectives are always intangible.

Loob said:

the idealistic and conceptual tools ... necessary to

Click to expand...

But this clinches it: the contrast is between physical and conceptual tools.

Loob said:

The sentence
The tools for which Churchill was asking in 1941 were, of course, material: ships, airplanes, guns.
is followed (click) by
But the job was to defend the political, social, and cultural inheritance of the Atlantic world.

Click to expand...

What is it they say about context? Let's never underestimate its importance.

Chasint said:

No, because materiel is a noun. In the sentence in question, "material" is an adjective.

Click to expand...

Matériel could be a noun with "ships, airplanes, guns" in apposition. However, with the additional context provided, it is clear that this is not the case.