what is the best churchill biography

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Paul Addison's top 10 books on Churchill

Paul Addison is director of the centre for second world war studies at the University of Edinburgh. He is a former visiting fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and the author of Churchill: The Unexpected Hero recently published by Oxford University Press.

1 My Early Life by Winston Churchill

My top 10 have not been arranged in order of merit - but if they had been, this would still be number one. The best source on the making of Winston Churchill is still Churchill himself. Written in late middle age, his autobiography recalled his unhappy childhood and his youthful quest for glory as a soldier and war correspondent. A classic adventure story, it was also a lament for a vanished age of aristocracy and empire.

2. Churchill: Four Faces and the Man (Various)

First published in 1969, this sparkling collection of essays anatomised Churchill's qualities as a statesman (AJP Taylor), politician (Robert Rhodes James), historian (JH Plumb), military strategist (Basil Liddell Hart) and depressive human being (Anthony Storr). Research has moved on since then, but as an analysis of the essential Churchill the book has never been surpassed. It founded the British school of Churchillians who admire him 'warts and all'.

3. In Search of Churchill by Martin Gilbert

Political biography was a gentlemanly affair of delving into one or two archives until Martin Gilbert came on the scene. As Churchill's official biographer he set rigorous new standards of research, working through scores of manuscript collections and travelling far and wide in search of new material. The six volumes of his life are a towering achievement but not many people have the leisure, this side of retirement, to savour all 7,285 pages. In the meantime there could be no better introduction than Gilbert's highly entertaining account of his methods of writing, and his search for buried treasure: eye witnesses whose recollections had never been recorded, and caches of documents that had lain hidden for decades.

4. Winston Churchill: His Life as a Painter by Mary Soames

Denis Healey used to say that every politician needs a hinterland - an absorbing outside interest beyond the world of Westminster. Churchill found it in painting. He seldom travelled without his brushes and oils and the moment he set up his easel he was lost to the world. Churchill never claimed to be a great artist but he delighted in the landscapes he saw on his travels, domestic scenes from his home at Chartwell, and portraits of his family and friends. The story of his life as a painter, delightfully told by his daughter Mary Soames, is a revelation of the private self who kept the statesman human.

5. Churchill and Secret Service by David Stafford

Churchill's lifelong fascination with secret intelligence is the theme of this riveting book which covers everything from his first encounter with the 'Great Game' on the north-west frontier to his involvement in the Anglo-American inspired coup that led to the overthrow of Mussadiq in Iran in 1953. Though Stafford is at pains to disprove some of the conspiracy theories which implicate Churchill in episodes like the sinking of the Lusitania or the attack on Pearl Harbor, he shows that Churchill played a crucial part in the development of the intelligence services and was no mean hand with a cloak and dagger.

6. Man of the Century: Winston Churchill and his Legend since 1945 by John Ramsden

Ramsden has added a new dimension to Churchill studies with a richly detailed analysis of the growth of his legend since 1945. His book sets out "to understand how that fame was created, perceived, marketed, spun and in some cases even fabricated." In the course of a fascinating conducted tour of perceptions of Churchill around the English-speaking world, Ramsden identifies the publicists and politicians who constructed the legend and the monuments and memorabilia which celebrated him. Such is his eye for detail that he even remarks on Churchill's unassailable lead in commemorative Toby jugs: 22 different designs compared with two each for Baldwin, Chamberlain and Lloyd George.

7. In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War by David Reynolds

In writing his war memoirs Churchill had two main aims. The first was to make a fortune for himself and his family while protecting it from the taxman. The second was to create a useable past that would vindicate his judgment as a war leader and assist his activities as a postwar statesman. In a masterly feat of sustained scholarly analysis Reynolds explains how Churchill achieved a triumphant success on both counts. In anyone else Churchill's profiteering, manipulation of the documents, and unacknowledged use of ghost writers would look disreputable, but all is forgiven the saviour of his country.

8. Churchill: The End of Glory by John Charmley

The furore over the so-called 'Charmley thesis' - the case for a compromise peace with Hitler in 1940 - has distracted attention from an otherwise perceptive political life grounded in a coherent critique of Churchill's flaws, and a far from ungenerous appreciation of his abilities. Charmley adopts the sceptical view of Churchill held by most of his contemporaries before 1939, and extends it to apply to his conduct of the war - a debatable but stimulating exercise.

9. The Iron Curtain: Churchill, America and the Origins of the Cold War by Fraser J Harbutt

It is no secret that Churchill is revered by many Americans as a philosopher king and role model for leadership. Whereas in Britain we see him as a man of the past, he is admired in the US as a guide to the present and future. Churchill's unique stature on the other side of the Atlantic owes something to his wartime alliance with Roosevelt, but as Fraser Harbutt shows in a powerfully argued book, the decisive factor was the part Churchill played, while he was out of office, in facilitating the entry of the US into the cold war. The tipping point was his 'iron curtain' speech at Fulton in March 1946.

10. Churchill by Roy Jenkins; Churchill: A Study in Greatness by Geoffrey Best

The competition for the title of best one volume life of Churchill is intense and the result, it seems to me, is a tie between Roy Jenkins and Geoffrey Best. Both authors are comprehensive, accurate, and stylish, but in different ways. Jenkins brings to the subject a veteran politician's feel for office and power, a worldly appreciation of Churchill's love of the good life, and an encyclopaedic appetite for detail. His account is richly descriptive but tends to stick to the surface of events. Best is a more reflective and speculative writer with a historian's flair for the insights that lie just beyond the tangible evidence. By different routes both authors come to the same conclusion, or as Best puts it: 'His achievements, taken all in all, justify his title to be known as the greatest Englishman of his age...in this later time we are diminished if, admitting Churchill's failings and failures, we can no longer appreciate his virtues and victories.'

History books

History Books » Historical Figures

The best books on winston churchill, recommended by richard toye.

Winston Churchill: A Life in the News by Richard Toye

Winston Churchill’s role as a global statesman remains immensely controversial. For some he was the heroic champion of liberty, saviour of the free world; for others a callous imperialist with a doleful legacy. Here, historian Richard Toye chooses the best books to help you understand the man behind the myths and Churchill's own role in making those myths.

Interview by Benedict King

My Early Life 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill

Churchill and the Islamic World: Orientalism, Empire and Diplomacy in the Middle East by Warren Dockter

In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War by David Reynolds

Churchill and the Dardanelles by Christopher M Bell

Winston Churchill As I Knew Him by Violet Bonham Carter

The best books on Winston Churchill - My Early Life 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill

1 My Early Life 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill

2 churchill and the islamic world: orientalism, empire and diplomacy in the middle east by warren dockter, 3 in command of history: churchill fighting and writing the second world war by david reynolds, 4 churchill and the dardanelles by christopher m bell, 5 winston churchill as i knew him by violet bonham carter.

Y our most recent book is Churchill: A Life in the News . Churchill was making the news even before he became a politician, as a soldier, but also, quite literally, as a journalist. What’s your focus in the book?

He was a very good journalist, very interesting, and certainly one of the most highly paid. That background also influenced him when he was prime minister. At the time of the Anzio landings , when things were going badly wrong, there was a minor crisis when British journalists had their press credentials withdrawn because they were alleged to be spreading despair. They were restored, and it turned out to be a little bit of a storm in a teacup, but Churchill said in the House of Commons, “Well, I would never have been allowed, when a correspondent during the Boer War, to use the expression, ‘The situation is desperate.’”

In some ways, as a young man, he was pushing the envelope a bit. He was trying to be a little bit controversial, a little bit provocative, but he was doing so with an understanding that he was governed by the rules of censorship —particularly when he was a serving soldier, and also as a journalist. There were strict limits to what you should and should not say. Having operated as a journalist in that context made him less forgiving and less understanding, later, of journalists who he thought were doing things contrary to his government’s interests, basically by being openly critical of him or his ministers.

In the Boer War he went out as a journalist, then joined in the fighting, didn’t he? But in the Sudan he was actually a commissioned officer who was taking money from The Morning Post.

That was not unusual at the time. How were the newspapers to get their news, unless they had people on the spot? As journalism became more professionalized, some very successful papers started to be able to afford to send their own people out, which they certainly were doing in the 1890s.

Not all war reporting was done by soldiers. But there was still quite a tradition of journalism being a letter which a person has written from a faraway place. It appears in the newspaper six weeks later, when it’s made its way all the way across the sea on a fairly slow boat.

So his dual role wasn’t that eccentric?

No, I don’t think so. Maybe he was unusual in the degree to which he had already decided that he wanted to build a political career and was trying to exploit his opportunities to that end. It’s as if, whatever other people are doing, Churchill was doing it times ten. It became a bit more problematic and controversial when he did it because he was trying to make it into such a high-profile thing. But it certainly wasn’t unique.

You have also contributed to another book published in 2020, The Churchill Myths. What aspect of his reputation is that looking at? And to what extent is it looking at his own role in that myth-making?

We start with the statement that this isn’t a book about Winston Churchill. It’s a book about his image and the way it evolved in the years after his death, and the way in which people have attempted to exploit it for various political purposes. At the level of cartoons and films, there is one fixed Churchillian image—with a cigar—and it’s true. But, actually, in terms of the way in which he’s discussed, there has been a significant evolution.

To give two examples during his own lifetime: nobody in Britain criticised Churchill in respect of the Bengal famine. Partly because they probably didn’t care very much about the Bengal famine, if we’re absolutely honest. But also, the information that we now have about the things which Churchill said and did about the Bengal famine weren’t in the public domain—and remained out of it until the 1970s and 1980s when there were various archival releases, publication of people’s diaries and so on and so forth.

“He wanted to be a celebrity politician.”

Even in the 1990s, there was a critical biography of Churchill by Clive Ponting which doesn’t mention the Bengal famine. Now it’s probably one of the major points of criticism levelled at Churchill, if not the biggest point. Without going into the rights and wrongs of that, it takes archival releases, but it also needs historians to decide that this is an important theme and to start making arguments about it.

On the other hand, one of the things that he’s most celebrated for now—explored in the film Darkest Hour —is the question of whether or not the British should try and explore peace terms via Italy in 1940. All these discussions did take place, but we didn’t know that they took place until the early 1970s, when the cabinet papers were released. Churchill, in his memoirs, not only did not mention them, he explicitly said that there was no discussion of the idea of peace terms whatsoever. Now, he may have been doing that to protect other people. We don’t really know. But he was at pains to deny that it happened and yet, now, that is one of the things for which he is most celebrated. Churchill has always been an icon of Britishness , but how that has played out has been very different over time.

One of the things this book, The Churchill Myths, makes clear is that over the last 40 years the Churchill myth has been even bigger in British politics and more dominant than it was, say, in the first fifteen years after his death. Yet he’s a deeply problematic figure. I think you say in the book that Churchill probably wouldn’t even get into the British National Party these days.

Actually, we quote somebody else as saying that. I don’t think I’d go quite that far! His place in public life is very difficult to judge exactly. There were critical plays in the 1970s, but then you might ask whether that was an elite thing that most of the population never saw. How much weight should we attach to these negative representations?

Thatcher and Reagan made a great play with the Churchill myth, as you would expect. George Bush Sr and John Major didn’t particularly. Tony Blair was interested in doing it, but it was a little bit problematic for him because he was a Labour prime minister and there’s no way you’re going to get a big cheer at the Labour Party Conference from mentioning Churchill. During the Kosovo crisis, for example, he mentioned Clem Attlee and Ernie Bevin standing up to fascism and putting himself in that position.

“Churchill has always been an icon of Britishness, but how that has played out has been very different over time”

Let’s move on to the books. One of Winston Churchill’s own books, My Early Life, is the first one. I’m not quite sure when he wrote it, but what story is he telling about himself?

It was published in 1930 and it is very much the story of his early adventures. It covers his childhood, his schooling, the wars I was mentioning earlier. And it concludes with him getting married to Clementine Hozier. The last line is: “And I lived happily ever after.”

He wrote a lot of other autobiographical works, but in contrast to the multi-volume World Crisis and the six-volume Second World War— which were very much based around documents and trying to justify particular courses of action and, often, to exculpate himself from where he had come in for criticism— My Early Life is a more personal book. His memory is certainly not perfect in every respect. He does slip up and, for example, says he makes a speech one year, when actually he made it the year before. But I think it’s the book that would be most likely to win you over to liking Churchill’s personality, even if you didn’t share his politics. There’s an ironic, kind of self-mocking tone to it, which I think casts him in a better light than much of his other more self-justificatory writing. It shows his ability to laugh at himself and the follies of youth and to be a bit more reflective.

“For a lot of people, if they escaped from prison in South Africa in a dramatic way, that would be the thing for which they were famous. Yet a lot of people don’t know that about Churchill”

It’s funny because he publishes it at a point when he’s about to take a sharp turn to the right and campaign vociferously against greater self-government for India. He doesn’t in that period come across in a particularly forgiving or magnanimous light. But this book is humorous and, of course, it’s a pretty exciting story.

For a lot of people, if they were put in prison in South Africa and then escaped in a very dramatic way, that would be the thing for which they were famous. And yet, a lot of people don’t know that about Churchill because there’s so much focus, understandably enough, on the 1930s and the 1940s. Of course, when people make documentaries about him it gets mentioned, but that is still a fact that would come as a surprise to a lot of people. It shows that there was a Churchill before the Churchill with whom we’re all familiar, with this very dramatic and impressive and often quite strange and problematic backstory. This book enriches your understanding of him, even though it’s not a book to be taken literally as an account of everything that he did.

Is he very consciously positioning himself politically in the book in a way that is then interesting in the light of what happened in the 1930s when he was out of power and then what happened in the war? Is he building personal myths about himself? Or is it fairly free of that kind of thing?

I don’t think it’s egregious. In other books—when he writes about Gallipoli, for example—it’s full of, ‘if only this had happened’ and ‘if ships had arrived 10 minutes earlier, then the whole course of the war have been different’—that kind of thing. I think it was possibly easier for him to write a slightly more modest account of a time when he wasn’t that important in politics. In terms of justifying his entire record, there’s considerably less at stake. Some things were at stake. Aylmer Haldane, one of the other people in the prison in South Africa, contested Churchill’s account of whether or not he’d done the honourable thing in escaping in the way he did. It’s not necessarily a trouble free zone.

He starts the book by saying, ‘I was a child of the Victorian age ’. Now, that reads as a simple statement. And it’s obviously true: he was born in 1874. But what was the significance of that? Why does he choose to say it then? It very much relates to the point I was making earlier, about his turn to campaigning on India . In my book on his imperial views, Churchill’s Empire: The World That Made Him and the World He Made , I argue that his views weren’t frozen in time at the end of the Victorian period. He joined the Liberal Party in 1904 and spent 20 years in the Liberal Party. He was perceived by some as a Little Englander and a danger to the Empire when he was a minister in the Colonial Office in 1905-08.

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What he’s actually doing in 1930, having made a swing back to the right throughout much of the previous decade, is re-identifying with his youth and saying, ‘these are my roots’. In that book I say that it was in the interwar years that Churchill decided to become a Victorian. That is to say, there’s image-making going on and, so, although My Early Life is ostensibly a relatively unpolitical book, you can read deeper things into it.

That’s interesting. I’m based in Oxford, where the debate has been raging about Cecil Rhodes. His political vision seemed to involve a union of the British Empire and America imposing peace on the world. It struck me that Rhodes and Churchill were very much contemporaries and that perhaps the ways in which they thought about these things—with Churchill’s History of the English-Speaking Peoples, for example —was very similar. But you’re saying that wasn’t a consistent theme through his political life.

Let’s move on to Warren Dockter’s Churchill and the Islamic World: Orientalism, Empire and Diplomacy . Tell us a bit about this book and why you’ve chosen it.

I’ve chosen it because it relates to the point I was making earlier about some of the complexities of Churchill’s views. It is quite easy to say that Churchill was anti-Indian, but actually, you need to refine this. Churchill was in many respects violently anti-Hindu and was influenced by a key book by Katherine Mayo called Mother India that came out in the 1920s and perpetuated various fairly unpleasant stereotypes about Hindus.

There was a degree to which Churchill was somewhat concerned about the fate of the so-called Untouchables. It wasn’t that he was purely unpleasant but, at the same time, he was more favourable towards Muslims in India. Now, of course, there’s a famous quotation from The River War , his book about the Sudan war in the 1890s, where he says something along the lines that ‘Islam is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia is in a dog.’ Again, he’s got this image of being totally anti-Islam.

“He commented that the Hindu-Muslim divide was the bulwark of British rule in India; in other words, divide and rule”

Warren’s book explores this in interesting ways. He shows the complexities of it. Everybody who attempted to govern the British Empire had to take account of the fact that the British Empire was—to put it one way—the world’s largest Muslim power.

I remain a bit sceptical about how sincere any of Churchill’s efforts to cultivate Muslims were, and particularly his contacts among the princes. I think he was in theory willing to work with them. But he also made a comment in 1939 in the cabinet that the Hindu-Muslim divide was the bulwark of British rule in India; in other words, divide and rule. You can’t look at all these contacts with Muslims, see him being polite to them and conclude that he must have been a really nice, open-minded, progressive guy. There were deeper things going on. But I think it is an important story.

He was Colonial Secretary just after the First World War, and in that role was instrumental in delineating the borders of Jordan, Iraq and the rest of the Middle East as it is now. Does this book tell us something particular about how he thought about that part of the world or what he thought he was doing at that time?

It shows the complexity of the Islamic world, containing Sunni and Shia, and people of various different ethnicities. It’s a very large part of the world. One would be hard pushed to describe Churchill as pro-Arab. He made various unpleasant comments about them, particularly in relation to the Arabs of Palestine. At the same time, he was somebody who was prey to rather romantic visions of the Middle East. He was friendly with T.E. Lawrence, which was obviously crucial in that respect. As Warren shows in his book, Churchill was quite prone to dressing-up games, getting into Arab clothing and hanging about with people like Lawrence and Wilfred Blunt. There was an orientalist appeal that this had for him.

I’ve seen suggestions that Dockter makes the case that, relatively speaking, Churchill was ‘progressive’ in his policy making towards various parts of the Middle East and Islamic World, compared to the orientalist prejudice of many of his contemporaries. It sounds from what you’ve said that you’d treat such claims with a certain amount of scepticism.

I’d be a little bit cautious and I think that Warren would hold back from saying that Churchill was ‘progressive’ as such. I think he’s trying to show, rightly, a more complex picture.

And I do think that—partly through Churchill’s own fault—he gets it in the neck for decisions that were taken in the Middle East in the immediate aftermath of World War I. Churchill gets the blame for having drawn these lines in the sand and created supposedly unsustainable states at the Cairo Conference of 1921. But there are a lot of things that have gone wrong in the Middle East over the past hundred years, only some of which can be blamed on Churchill. Part of the reason why he gets blamed so much is because he was such a showman that he wanted to associate himself with these decisions, whatever they were, even if he wasn’t really the driving force.

Decisions had to be made. Churchill said, ‘Let’s have a conference in Cairo’. So, everybody made their way out to Cairo. This became a famous episode. But if he’d just let the experts get on with it and sign a few memos, it wouldn’t have been such a big deal. He’s paid the price for something which he himself wanted to do. He wanted to be a celebrity politician. He wanted to get the credit for decisions. In some ways that’s been positive for his reputation and in some ways it’s been negative.

Let’s move on to David Reynolds’ In Command of History . This is about his writing career between his two premierships, from when he lost power at the end of World War II to his return as prime minister in 1951. Is that right?

Yes. One of the reasons I admire this book so much is the technical feat of writing it. The genius is really in the structure. Writing a book about writing a book is a very difficult thing to do when what you’re trying to do is cast light on the historical episodes that the book is about. Reynolds has succeeded brilliantly in doing that and getting the balance right. It’s hard to see how it could have been done better. It’s not too long. He had to be selective because there’s an enormous amount of material and he couldn’t cover everything. But I think he basically chose the right bits. Fundamentally, it’s a book about the way in which Churchill tried to manipulate his account of history in order to make himself look better. That’s what it boils down to. The only criticism I have of the book—and it’s not really a very big one—is that with the title, which is obviously great, there is a slight risk of suggesting that Churchill was always successful in getting his interpretation accepted.

Churchill had the great advantage of having access to lots of original documents, which nobody else had access to and, therefore, it was quite difficult for anybody else to refute his account. But people weren’t stupid. There was a lot of publicly available information that people could use to dispute Churchill’s interpretation and they did. One has to be a bit cautious about thinking that ‘In Command of History’ means he laid down this version and then that became the totally authoritative, uncontested version until such time as the archives were open to everyone.

Obviously the Bengal famine was something that he skirted over, but is there a very broad interpretation of events that he gives, that has subsequently been overturned?

One of the important points in the book is that, in the first volume, The Gathering Storm , David rightly points out that you could read it without really knowing that Churchill spent a huge chunk of the first part of the decade campaigning against the ‘Government of India Bill’. Because Churchill generated so many memoranda, so many speeches over the years, it became fairly easy for him to construct a story where he spotted the danger of Nazi Germany earlier than everybody else and then consistently spent all the time up until 1939 talking about this while—supposedly—barely anybody else paid the slightest bit of attention.

Those are the foundations of the heroic narrative, that he was a uniquely farsighted prophet. Historians would now emphasise—and indeed have been doing for about 50 years, if not longer—that Churchill was concerned to obtain political office and that many of his actions and exactly what he said at particular moments was shaped by that. You can go through his speeches and have fun finding the bits where he said really nice things about Neville Chamberlain, for example.

Churchill, from his own point of view, wouldn’t have denied that he was seeking office. He would have asked how he was going to do anything or get what he wanted unless he held office. And, sure enough, he had to hold office, as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1940, before he could obtain the highest office, that of prime minister.

“He would insist to the publishers, ‘Well, I could finish this volume if I had a holiday in Morocco!’ For which they, of course, were expected to pay…”

The book also shows how accounts of particular episodes during the war were shaped by the desire not to offend the Americans post-war, or not to offend Eisenhower. He might have been quite critical of some things Ike did during the war, but that was not the sort of thing to which he was going to draw attention.

This book is also interesting on the technique by which the book was actually written. Churchill was a bit of a nightmare author. He was always late and the book got larger and larger. There were always corrections up until the last minute. He would insist to the publishers or to Time-Life , who were serialising it, ‘Well, I could finish this volume if I had a holiday in Morocco!’ For which they, of course, were expected to pay…

As well as creating this heroic image of himself through the 1930s and during World War II, did Churchill’s book serve almost as manifesto for him taking over again in the early 1950s and completing undone business, or is that overdoing it a bit?

Let’s move on to Christopher M. Bell’s book, Churchill and the Dardanelles .

The Dardanelles was one of the most controversial episodes of Churchill’s career. Some people might still argue that, if it wasn’t for a few small things going wrong, then it could have been a great success. Again, it’s one of those episodes where Churchill, personally, attracted more opprobrium than was perhaps fully justified. But, at the same time, he walked into the trap. He was exonerated to an extent by the Dardanelles Commission, during the war itself, and he went to great lengths to provide evidence and persuade the commissioners of his righteousness. And it was true that he hadn’t single-handedly ordered this, that it had to have the approval of Asquith as prime minister and all sorts of military figures and other ministers.

“The Dardanelles was one of the most controversial episodes of Churchill’s career.”

His role in the Dardanelles was pretty fundamental but, again, the single hero/villain picture is too simplistic. The book does a very good job of looking at press coverage and shows the ways in which parts of the press, particularly the Morning Post , which by this time had turned against Churchill, were really out to get Churchill and were gearing up to attack him well before things had started to go wrong. Essentially they had some quite weird agendas of their own. At this point he was a Liberal and was seen as a traitor to the Conservative cause.

That was the motivation of the Morning Post , was it, that he was this turncoat?

Reading between the lines. Nobody says, ‘I’m going to do him in because he’s a turncoat’. They say, ‘He’s egotistical, he’s unreliable, he doesn’t listen to military expertise’ et cetera. But it gets so vitriolic that you think, ‘Well, what’s the agenda here, really?’ Chris Bell does a very good job of being very balanced, neither underplaying or overdoing the criticism of what was an absolutely foundational episode and, obviously, very critical for the interpretation of Churchill’s career.

Why did Churchill expend so much time and effort defending himself over the Dardanelles? After the failure of the expedition, he did the honourable thing, resigned and went to fight in the trenches—at least briefly. Why did this episode get under his skin so badly?

I think that he had a deep suspicion that he’d actually really ballsed everything up. If you wanted a psychological reading, based on speculation, you could argue that his sense of guilt was going to be alleviated if he could prove that actually everything was all somebody else’s fault. He was looking for someone else to validate that view. We all do this. We try and explain to ourselves and to anyone who will listen that it couldn’t possibly be us and that, if we did make a mistake, it was entirely understandable at the time, and it was probably somebody else’s fault we did make a mistake, because we didn’t have the right information, or whatever.

I think there’s a powerful urge to self-justification, which we are all prey to and you can imagine how that might operate if you have played a significant role in a colossal military error. I think that did play on his mind and it almost became an obsession: ‘It wouldn’t have gone wrong, if only I’d really been properly listened to’ or ‘if only people had had the courage or conviction to carry on.’ It was as if he was arguing that it would have worked if only they had doubled down. Then it would have been worth it. That would have shown it to be justified.

There’s obviously a direct political motivation. As you mention, he goes to the trenches, but he’s pretty keen to come back, really, not through any lack of physical bravery, but simply because, at a deep level, what he’s really interested in is politics, rather than military affairs. So there’s a practical reason why he needs to justify himself, or thinks that he does. But I think there’s also the more profound psychological motivation to absolve himself.

Lots of people criticized him heavily for it, not just at an official level, but among the population at large. He was held personally responsible for it, wasn’t he?

It’s very difficult to separate out what the papers are saying from what people thought. If you look at World War II, where you start to get Mass Observation diaries, for example, you do see people recalling, or at least being aware of Gallipoli. How much that necessarily had an impact at the time is a bit unclear. There was a famous occasion in, I think, 1923, when he was making a speech and somebody from the audience shouted out, ‘What about Gallipoli?!’ But it wasn’t as if everywhere he went he encountered hecklers who shouted, ‘What about Gallipoli?!’.

Let’s move on to the final book, which is Violet Bonham Carter’s Winston Churchill As I Knew Him . I think this was published in the year he died, but she was a friend of his in his early political career. Is that right?

Yes, throughout his political career, really. She was one of the few close female friends that he had. That’s not to say that he didn’t get on well with women, but most of his close friends were men. That’s not particularly unusual for somebody of his generation or, indeed, probably for many men today. She was, of course, also the daughter of H.H. Asquith and met Churchill early on in his career. She gives this account in the book of the first time they met. At that dinner he says something like, ‘We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow-worm.’ She captures various memories, which otherwise might not have been recorded.

It was clearly something of a labour of love. It was being prepared for publication before he died. It only takes the story up to 1915. She did think of writing another volume, but never got round to it. It’s full of personal anecdotes and a considerable amount of charm. She was a very determined person. She knew her mind. She didn’t mind telling Churchill off when she thought that he was making mistakes.

There’s a lovely bit of evidence I found in her archive. It was Churchill’s 80th birthday and they were going to publish an edited book, where different people who knew Churchill would provide their memories and reflections. She did contribute. She was the only woman in the book and the editors wrote to her to say they’d like her to write a chapter called ‘Winston Churchill: the Woman’s Perspective’. She refused to do that, saying that it would be as ridiculous to have a chapter called ‘Churchill: the Woman’s Perspective’ as it would be to have a chapter called ‘Churchill: the Man’s Perspective’. She told them she was going to write something else. They got this letter and they wrote back saying, ‘Oh, all right. We accept you’ll write something else. It’s a pity because we would so much have liked to have had ‘Churchill: the Woman’s Perspective’.’ And she writes back and explains it all again which, I have to say, I admire.

“When they met, Churchill said, ‘We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow-worm’”

But she could be over the top in making a fuss about things. Martin Gilbert, who was Churchill’s official biographer, but in the early 1960s was a researcher, once made the mistake of spelling her surname with a hyphen. And she told him, ‘There’s no hyphen in my name. I’m very very surprised that you should have made this basic mistake.’ She could have been a bit more relaxed about that!

The other thing to say is that nobody quite knows whether, when she first met Churchill, she expected or hoped that he would propose to her. Was she in love with him? If she was, she clearly got over it. We don’t know. When she was writing her own work on Churchill she had a sort of rivalry with Randolph, Churchill’s son, who had started the official biography at the same time. She wrote to him saying, ‘I had all these letters from your father from the early period, but I’ve destroyed them because they’re too personal or too intimate.’ Of course, she may have meant intimate in the political sense. But it’s very sad that that happened and one can only wonder what gossip was in there that we would very much like to have today.

How does her portrait of him compare with his self-portrait in My Early Life ? Did she know him before he was married to Clementine? Does she talk about him largely as a friend in private life, or as a politician, or both?

I think she may have met him as early as 1906, so before he’d really properly met Clementine. Clementine and Winston had a whirlwind courtship in 1908.

How to compare them? You’ve got to remember, there’s a little bit of tension because, rather than just being somebody who wants to give Churchill the best possible write-up, the person she is really concerned about defending is her father. I don’t think there are any particularly obvious points in the book where there is a clash between the two, or at least she manages to nuance it. But, if she had to make a choice between saying something that reflected badly on her father or something that reflected badly on Churchill, then she wouldn’t be afraid to say something critical of Churchill. Whereas Asquith is untouchable. I think that is, actually, an important dynamic.

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But it’s basically an affectionate portrait by somebody who was, on the whole, politically sympathetic to him, particularly during his Liberal phase. She was a lifelong Liberal and the respect that he had for her, which was very genuine, was well illustrated in the general election of 1951. She ran as a Liberal in Colne Valley and he succeeded in getting the Conservative candidate to stand aside. In fact she lost anyway, but he was so determined that she should be elected that he was willing to put the fundamental interest of the Conservative Party to one side.

That was partly a political strategy on his part, because he wanted to appeal to Liberal voters and former Liberal voters and to win them back from Attlee. He wants to play up his own former Liberal credentials and he wants to highlight Liberals and former Liberals whom he’s associated with. But his willingness to challenge the bureaucracy of his own party over this does show the very considerable respect he had for her.

What kind of a book is it? Is she quoting evidence to support points she’s making, or is it a simple memoir , her own recollection at the time of writing?

It’s more of a memoir. She had a researcher working for her on it, so she didn’t just sit there and write it off the top of her head. She definitely made sure she had her factual points of orientation and got her dates right. And she had kept extensive diaries and letters, which have subsequently been published. You do get some discrepancies. The glow-worm quote isn’t in the diary. So, you do wonder, did she just forget to write it in her diary, but remember it clearly and reproduce it years later? Or did her mind play some weird trick on her, or did he say it on some other occasion? One always gets little questions like that.

And in what sense is she using her memory of Churchill up until 1911 to defend her father politically?

If Churchill can be shown to have been virtuously promoting Liberal reforms, that reflects well on her father. I’m certainly not saying she wrote the book on Churchill in order to vindicate Asquith. But it’s a benefit of the book, in a way, because it means she’s not going to be an absolutely uncritical or slavish admirer of Churchill, whether or not she makes all the right criticisms. I think that, for that reason, it becomes a better book because it has that element of distance, while still being admiring.

Finally, I’m curious to get your views on the Churchill book publishing phenomenon—as an insider. Do you see it just increasing with ever greater strength from year to year, or will it reach saturation? What keeps it going?

I think the books I’ve cited show it’s possible to take an original approach to Churchill and take an angle which nobody has ever done before. But there isn’t an inexhaustible supply of people who are willing and able to do that systematically and create new insights.

At the other end, there is a market for what you might call the ‘Churchill’s laundry lists’ angle. Or, if you want to write a book about some aspect of World War II you call it ‘Churchill’s Bomb-Sight Developers’ or something like that. There’s a certain amount of mediocre work that continues to be promoted. And then there are some things that are OK as ‘curiosities’—I won’t name any titles, it would be unfair. They are perfectly alright as far as they go, but they don’t really advance our understanding very much.

Every couple of years another really good book on Churchill comes out and, at the same time, huge numbers that are somewhat indifferent. I expect it will continue in a similar vein for the foreseeable future.

One final question. Is there a particular one volume biography that you would recommend? I’m only aware of Roy Jenkins’ and Andrew Roberts’ , but there may be others.

I would probably recommend Paul Addison’s Churchill: The Unexpected Hero , particularly bearing in mind that not everybody wants to read an awful lot about Churchill and that it is a fairly short one. It’s very scholarly, but very accessible. I think Paul, who died this year, was an excellent historian, who deserves more recognition. When I was running a course on Churchill, that was the book I told my students to read over the summer. That and My Early Life and they’d be well set up with a basic understanding for the start of the year.

That would be my recommendation, rather than an intimidating doorstopper, although Roy Jenkins’ book understandably—and rightly—has a lot of fans.

August 3, 2020

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Richard Toye

Richard Toye is Professor of Modern History at the University of Exeter. He previously worked at the University of Cambridge. He has written widely on modern British and international political and economic history. His critically acclaimed book Lloyd George and Churchill: Rivals for Greatness won him the 2007 Times Higher Young Academic Author of the Year Award.

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The 10 Best Books By and About Winston Churchill

The prime minister was also a prolific writer and historian.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Winston Churchill is one of those historical figures who almost needs no introduction. As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he led his country through the darkest days of World War II and became a symbol of strength, stability, and effective leadership. But Churchill’s legacy extends far beyond his most famous moment in the spotlight.

Born in 1874 to an aristocratic family, Churchill grew up during the reign of Queen Victoria and bore witness to many events that shaped the 20th century . He served as a war correspondent in his twenties, became a Member of Parliament in 1900, and fought in the First World War, all before his famous tenure as Prime Minister. After the war, his political party was defeated in the general election and he turned his attention to his life-long love of writing, penning a novel and several well-received history volumes. He re-entered the political stage in the 1950s, aggressively denouncing the Soviet Union and serving as Prime Minister a second time from 1951 to 1955.

If you’ve been wanting to learn more about Winston Churchill's unique life and how that shaped his outlook, look no further than this list! Here are the 10 best books by and about Winston Churchill.

Books By Churchill

The Gathering Storm

By Winston S. Churchill

Churchill’s two identities as wartime Prime Minister and historian came together in his six-volume history, The Second World War . Volume one, The Gathering Storm , sets the stage for World War II. Based on historical research, government documents, and Churchill’s own recollections, the book chronicles Hitler’s rise to power, Germany’s increasingly aggressive military moves in Europe, Britain’s failed strategy of appeasement, and finally Britain's entry into the conflict in 1939. Churchill’s access to primary sources like telegrams, secret orders, and speeches allows him to give an almost minute-by-minute account of events.

The Hinge of Fate

Volume four of The Second World War finds the Allies in a precarious position. It’s early 1942. The Americans have been attacked at Pearl Harbor , and Singapore has fallen to the Japanese. Yet, in just a few months' time, several decisive military victories will turn the tide of war in the Allies' favor. In The Hinge of Fate , Churchill describes the key decisions that put the Allies on their path to eventual victory.

Inspiring Winston Churchill Quotes That Will Help You Maintain a Stiff Upper Lip

Triumph and Tragedy

Triumph and Tragedy —the sixth and final volume of The Second World War —chronicles the final months of WWII, from the landings at Normandy on D-Day to Japan’s surrender after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although there have been many other histories of the war written since Churchill published his final volume in 1953, The Second World War still stands as an important portrait of how people felt about the war in its immediate aftermath, from an author with a unique vantage point.

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The Birth of Britain

Another of Churchill’s multi-volume histories is A History of the English-Speaking Peoples , his account of Britain from the period of Roman occupation up through Churchill’s own lifetime. The first volume, The Birth of Britain , begins when Julius Caesar invades the British Isles in 55 BCE. From there, he covers quite a bit of ground, concluding the volume with the death of King Richard III in 1485. Through all of it, Churchill’s love for his home country shines through.

Winston Churchill’s Paranormal Encounter Allowed Him to Face His Distant Father

My Early Life

By Winston Churchill

Churchill’s autobiography covers the first 30 years of his life, long before he became Prime Minister. In My Early Life , Churchill recalls his childhood and his years in the British Army. He spent many of his formative years traveling both with the military and as a war correspondent, reporting most famously on the Second Boer War in South Africa. When Churchill published the book in 1930, he was serving as a Conservative Member of Parliament, and had no idea how monumental his next 30 years would be. The book is an important chronicle of the events that would shape Churchill into the giant history remembers him as.

Books About Churchill

Churchill: Walking With Destiny

By Andrew Roberts

Churchill: Walking With Destiny , written by award-winning author Andrew Roberts, is a newer addition to the canon of historical studies of Churchill. Roberts applies the same level of scrutiny to Churchill as he did in his bestselling biographies of Napoleon and King George III. He seeks to understand what made Churchill the man he was, and draws on an extensive body of research—including previously unreleased historical materials—to find his answers. In his study, Roberts also asks what Churchill’s life, and his successes and failures, can teach today’s leaders in an increasingly unstable world.

Churchill Style

By Barry Singer

In Churchill Style , author Barry Singer approaches Churchill not as a towering historical figure, but as a person. While most biographies tend to focus on his political philosophies and wartime strategies, Singer explores his personal interests, from the clothes he liked to his iconic cigars. Supplemented by photographs, Churchill Style allows readers to get to know the man behind the myth.

The Bittersweet History Behind Armistice Day

By Celia Sandys

Another more personal approach to Churchill’s life comes from his granddaughter Celia Sandys. Sandys shares the story of her grandfather’s participation as a correspondent and combatant in the Boer War, one of the defining conflicts of South Africa. According to Booklist , "this affectionate biographical portrait of a very young, very spirited, and very enterprising Winston Churchill succeeds in foreshadowing the magnitude of the renown he eventually achieved."

Winston's War

By Max Hastings

No list of books about Churchill would be complete without at least one objective account dedicated to his time as Prime Minister during World War II. In Winston’s War , award-winning historian and journalist Max Hastings chronicles Churchill’s experiences, from his election to Prime Minister in 1940 to the end of the war in 1945. During those turbulent years, Churchill not only had to deal with a world war, but also with several problems on the home front that occasionally posed a threat to his own leadership. Ultimately, Hastings is able to paint a full portrait of the years that defined Churchill’s legacy.

By John Lukacs

In his biography, historian John Lukacs provides a full portrait of Churchill and a thorough assessment of his career. He dedicates chapters to Churchill’s personal life, his relationships with other world leaders like FDR and Stalin, his time as Prime Minister, and his career as a historian. While Lukacs clearly has admiration for Churchill, he does not let that affect his study of his life, spending equal time on Churchill’s failures as he does his successes.

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Walking with Destiny

By Andrew Roberts

By andrew roberts read by stephen thorne, category: historical figure biographies & memoirs | world war ii military history | european world history, category: historical figure biographies & memoirs | world war ii military history | european world history | audiobooks.

Oct 15, 2019 | ISBN 9781101981009 | 6 x 9 --> | ISBN 9781101981009 --> Buy

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Nov 06, 2018 | 3029 Minutes | ISBN 9780525641728 --> Buy

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Nov 06, 2018 | ISBN 9781101980996

Nov 06, 2018 | ISBN 9781101981016

Nov 06, 2018 | ISBN 9780525641728

3029 Minutes

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About Churchill

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One of The Wall Street Journal ’s Ten Best Books of 2018 One of The Economist ’s Best Books of 2018 One of The New York Times ’ s Notable Books of 2018 “Unarguably the best single-volume biography of Churchill . . . A brilliant feat of storytelling, monumental in scope, yet put together with tenderness for a man who had always believed that he would be Britain’s savior.” — Wall Street Journal In this landmark biography of Winston Churchill based on extensive new material, the true genius of the man, statesman and leader can finally be fully seen and understood–by the bestselling, award-winning author of Napoleon and The Last King of America. When we seek an example of great leaders with unalloyed courage, the person who comes to mind is Winston Churchill: the iconic, visionary war leader immune from the consensus of the day, who stood firmly for his beliefs when everyone doubted him. But how did young Winston become Churchill? What gave him the strength to take on the superior force of Nazi Germany when bombs rained on London and so many others had caved? In Churchill, Andrew Roberts gives readers the full and definitive Winston Churchill, from birth to lasting legacy, as personally revealing as it is compulsively readable. Roberts gained exclusive access to extensive new material: transcripts of War Cabinet meetings, diaries, letters and unpublished memoirs from Churchill’s contemporaries. The Royal Family permitted Roberts–in a first for a Churchill biographer–to read the detailed notes taken by King George VI in his diary after his weekly meetings with Churchill during World War II. This treasure trove of access allows Roberts to understand the man in revelatory new ways, and to identify the hidden forces fueling Churchill’s legendary drive. We think of Churchill as a hero who saved civilization from the evils of Nazism and warned of the grave crimes of Soviet communism, but Roberts’s masterwork reveals that he has as much to teach us about the challenges leaders face today–and the fundamental values of courage, tenacity, leadership and moral conviction.

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Also by andrew roberts.

About Andrew Roberts

Andrew Roberts is the bestselling author of The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War, Masters and Commanders: How Four Titans Won the War in the West, 1941-1945, Waterloo: Napoleon’s Last Gamble and Napoleon: A Life, winner of the Los… More about Andrew Roberts

Product Details

Churchill and Orwell

The Spy and the Traitor

Madame Fourcade’s Secret War

The Quartet

Valiant Ambition

Destiny and Power

Citizens of London

A USA Today Book You Won’t Want to Miss A Washington Post Book to Read in November A Christian Science Monitor Best Book of November A Mental Floss Best Book of 2018 An Octavian Report Essential Read for 2019 A New York Post Book That Should Be On Everyone’s Holiday Gift List A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2018 A Lit Hub Best Book of 2018 Shortlisted for the 2019 Plutarch Award “The best single-volume biography of Churchill yet written. . . . Roberts tells this story with great authority and not a little panache. He writes elegantly, with enjoyable flashes of tartness, and is in complete command both of his sources and the vast historiography.” —Richard Aldous, The New York Times “Terrific . . . By drawing on many previously untapped sources, Mr. Roberts has produced a more complete picture of his subject than any previous biography.” —The Economist “Even if you’ve read every other book about the former prime minister and seen all the movies, expect revelations. For example: The royal family permitted the author to read King George VI’s diary notes about his wartime meetings with Churchill. That’s a first.” —The Washington Post “Brilliant, breathtaking, unputdownable . . . the definitive picture of our greatest political leader. All Roberts’s past life has been but a preparation for this hour and this work, and this brilliant book is a fitting crown to his own career.” —London Evening Standard “Roberts’ new biography (★★★★ out of four) stands tall, re-illuminating the well-etched contours of Churchill’s monumental life with scrupulous scholarship and a flair for unearthing the telling detail; looking twice where most biographers have been content to glance once.” — USA Today “In this season of giving, get (and give) Andrew Roberts’s brilliant new biography. . . . A review last month in The Times called it ‘the best single-volume biography of Churchill yet written,’ but it’s more than that. It’s an antidote to the reigning conceits, self-deceptions, half-truths and clichés of our day.” —Bret Stephens, The New York Times “The best biography of Winston ever written . . . bursts with character, humour and incident on almost every page.” —The Sunday Times “At a time when every fraud and charlatan is taking refuge in spurious fantasies of Churchilliana, it is salutary to read this brilliant, bracing mega-biography of Winston Churchill and be reminded what Britain’s most famous prime minister was actually like.” —The Guardian “Fantastically readable prose, which flows along in a pitch-perfect combination of erudition and eloquence . . . In brightly engaging chapters, Roberts takes readers through all the stages of Churchill’s adventurous life as a soldier of the empire and then as a professional politician . . . Roberts is a shrewd and experienced biographer.” —Christian Science Monitor “A tour de force of scrupulous selection and astute appraisal, perhaps the best full-scale biography to date in a field where the competition has been crowded and stiff.” —National Review “A stupendous achievement: lucid, erudite, intelligent, but also inspiring. Roberts catches the imperishable grandeur of Churchill’s life as no other historian has done. Roberts does full justice to Churchill’s superhuman range of activity.” —Standpoint Magazine “The best single-volume life imaginable of a man whose life it would seem technically impossible to get into a single volume.” —Daily Telegraph “Roberts brilliantly conjures up one of the most fascinating characters of all time. He enriches the saga with wonderful examples of Churchill’s aristocratic eccentricities, glittering oratory and wit.” —Literary Review “It’s the sort of biography that, one feels, Churchill himself would have wanted: colossal, energetic, deeply knowledgeable, properly critical, but also sympathetic and, in places, deliciously funny.” —Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph “Roberts is a master storyteller.” —The Weekly Standard “[Roberts’s] research is outstanding, based on archival and primary sources . . . What emerges in Roberts’ book is a man full of complexities. . . . Roberts’ book is full of insights and facts that provide a deeper understanding of Churchill.” —Tom Hallman, Jr., The Oregonian “This definitive biography of the storied leader was made possible through unprecedented access to material, including diaries, letters, unpublished memoirs and even the detailed diary notes taken by King George VI.” —New York Post “Terrific . . . Churchill probably lived the most variegated life of any political figure of the 20th century. Moreover, he was obnoxious, charming, emotional, selfish and patriotic. Roberts has captured his complexity in a way that few historians have ever imagined.” —The Boston Herald “Roberts’s brilliant new book is not only learned and sagacious but also thrilling and fun. An award-winning historian and biographer, an expert on statecraft, leadership, and the Second World War, Roberts writes with authority and confidence. Enriched by such previously unseen material as King George VI’s wartime diaries, [Churchill] should stand as the definitive one-volume Churchill biography.” —The City Journal “Andrew Roberts has written the best single-volume biography of Winston Churchill to date.” —New York Journal of Books “Widely praised as the best single-volume biography of Winston Churchill ever written, historian and commentator Roberts draws on previously unavailable journals and notes for the robust, engrossing, and nuanced history of the great British leader.” —The National Book Review “Roberts writes gripping narrative history without deserting high scholarly standards. . . . Surely the last word for years to come on Churchill.” — History Today “Like all of Andrew Roberts’s histories, Churchill is massively researched and exquisitely written. The author’s sharp sense of humor is often in evidence and warmly complements Churchill’s own. This is a brilliant work, by a very fine historian, on a permanently heroic and always fascinating figure.” — The New Criterion “Wonderful, masterly . . . There have been few lives as long, momentous, and wide-ranging as that of Sir Winston Churchill, author, adventurer, orator, wit, painter, animal lover, friend, and politician. Andrew Roberts’s masterful, supremely readable biography has a text 982 pages long. It could hardly have been shorter and told so extraordinary a story so well.” —Commentary “The most superb one-volume biography I have ever read—of anyone. . . . Roberts also manages something I thought impossible. He has given us a new, ground-breaking portrait of the man whom many consider to be the greatest ever Englishman. . . . Roberts’s brilliance as a biographer was clear from his very first, of Lord Halifax. Re-reading it in tandem with this magnificent Churchill, one sees yet again just how finely history turns on random and uncertain events. . . . This is a simply wonderful book. A living, poetic, stirring yet thought-provoking portrait of a giant, it will be regarded as a classic for generations to come.” —The Jewish Chronicle “Terrific. . . . [Roberts] is one of the great historians of his generation and he is stupendously readable. . . . Andrew Roberts has captured [Churchill’s] complexity in a way that few historians have ever imagined.” —The American Spectator “Not only is it the best biography I have read this year; it might well be the best I’ve read ever. In terms of Roberts’s oeuvre, this book will surely stand as his masterpiece. This is biography as art, and a finer example one could scarcely hope to read. Why on earth does the world need another biography of Churchill? Before reading this, it would have been hard to say. Afterwards, very easy indeed—because it needed Andrew Roberts to write it.” —The Catholic Herald “Winston Churchill was perhaps the greatest leader of the twentieth century and a person who never ceases to fascinate and inspire. Widely hailed as the best single volume biography of Churchill ever written, historian Roberts’ magisterial biography captures the unfailing spirit of the man who saved Europe in all his flawed brilliance.” —The Octavian Report “In my opinion, the book, Churchill: Walking with Destiny, is the most precious gift of the year 2018—in history, education, knowledge, and literature. . . . If there were a Nobel Prize for historical research, Andrew Roberts would be a perfect candidate.” —The Jerusalem Report “A page-turner . . . full of new material that has not been previously available to Churchill scholars. Roberts manages to mobilize these tremendous sources into a well-paced narrative that is full of exciting passages—which matches perfectly the venturesome spirit of Winston Churchill.” — Law & Liberty “A complex and compelling depiction of one of the most important political leaders of the 20th century, one sure to enlighten and provoke both those familiar with Churchill and those who may know little beyond . . . a tour de force. Roberts has given us a great gift. He presents a Churchill in all of his complexity. What makes this book essential for those who care about reviving and defending liberal democracy in our time is that it reminds us that, even at moments when old hatreds burn bright and few are willing to swim against the current, it is still possible for great leaders to emerge.” — American Interest “I didn’t think we really needed a new Churchill biography, or, having read so many, that I would find a new one catching up my attention, but Roberts proved me wrong. In addition to new source material, Roberts’s judgments about Churchill, and his keen selection of the most salient details about Churchill thought and action, are superb.” — Claremont Review of Books “A magnificent and carefully nuanced life and times of Winston Churchill, elegantly written, studded with new research, and deeply imagined. Andrew Roberts accomplishes a minor miracle in offering a fresh, empathetic portrait in an authoritative and fast-paced narrative that never flags. Roberts explores Winston Churchill’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader, his self-centeredness and his generosity, allowing us to feel both Churchill’s personal vulnerabilities as well as his force as a public figure.” —Biographers International Organization “A heroic biography, appropriately matched to the ambition, egotism, and undoubted achievement of the life it describes. It will surely remain the outstanding Churchill biography for many years to come.” —International Churchill Society “The newly definitive one-volume biography of its subject . . . Andrew Roberts has brilliantly reconstructed the life of a titanic figure of the twentieth century within the intellectual context of his times. As such, Churchill constitutes a first-rate, authentic work of historical scholarship for our time.” — History News Network “Riveting . . . A masterful biography, rich in detail and insight.” — Booklist (starred review) “A well-researched and exceptionally well-written biography . . . This compelling book is likely to become a standard text on Churchill and will be difficult to keep on the shelves.” — Library Journal (starred review) “This biography is exhaustively researched, beautifully written and paced, deeply admiring but not hagiographic, and empathic and balanced in its judgments—a magnificent achievement.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A clear, well-limned view of a complex figure who, in no danger of being forgotten, continues to inspire. The most comprehensive single-volume biography of Churchill that we have in print and a boon for any student of the statesman and his times.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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Winston Churchill

By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 7, 2019 | Original: October 27, 2009

Churchill April 1939: British Conservative politician Winston Churchill. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Winston Churchill was one of the best-known, and some say one of the greatest, statesmen of the 20th century. Though he was born into a life of privilege, he dedicated himself to public service. His legacy is a complicated one: He was an idealist and a pragmatist; an orator and a soldier; an advocate of progressive social reforms and an unapologetic elitist; a defender of democracy – especially during World War II – as well as of Britain’s fading empire. But for many people in Great Britain and elsewhere, Winston Churchill is simply a hero.

Winston Churchill came from a long line of English aristocrat-politicians. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was descended from the First Duke of Marlborough and was himself a well-known figure in Tory politics in the 1870s and 1880s.

His mother, born Jennie Jerome, was an American heiress whose father was a stock speculator and part-owner of The New York Times. (Rich American girls like Jerome who married European noblemen were known as “dollar princesses.”)

Did you know? Sir Winston Churchill won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953 for his six-volume history of World War II.

Churchill was born at the family’s estate near Oxford on November 30, 1874. He was educated at the Harrow prep school, where he performed so poorly that he did not even bother to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. Instead, in 1893 young Winston Churchill headed off to military school at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Battles and Books

After he left Sandhurst, Churchill traveled all around the British Empire as a soldier and as a journalist. In 1896, he went to India; his first book, published in 1898, was an account of his experiences in India’s Northwest Frontier Province.

In 1899, the London Morning Post sent him to cover the Boer War in South Africa, but he was captured by enemy soldiers almost as soon as he arrived. (News of Churchill’s daring escape through a bathroom window made him a minor celebrity back home in Britain.)

By the time he returned to England in 1900, the 26-year-old Churchill had published five books.

Churchill: “Crossing the Chamber”

That same year, Winston Churchill joined the House of Commons as a Conservative. Four years later, he “crossed the chamber” and became a Liberal.

His work on behalf of progressive social reforms such as an eight-hour workday, a government-mandated minimum wage, a state-run labor exchange for unemployed workers and a system of public health insurance infuriated his Conservative colleagues, who complained that this new Churchill was a traitor to his class.

Churchill and Gallipoli

In 1911, Churchill turned his attention away from domestic politics when he became the First Lord of the Admiralty (akin to the Secretary of the Navy in the U.S.). Noting that Germany was growing more and more bellicose, Churchill began to prepare Great Britain for war: He established the Royal Naval Air Service, modernized the British fleet and helped invent one of the earliest tanks.

Despite Churchill’s prescience and preparation, World War I was a stalemate from the start. In an attempt to shake things up, Churchill proposed a military campaign that soon dissolved into disaster: the 1915 invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.

Churchill hoped that this offensive would drive Turkey out of the war and encourage the Balkan states to join the Allies, but Turkish resistance was much stiffer than he had anticipated. After nine months and 250,000 casualties, the Allies withdrew in disgrace.

After the debacle at Gallipoli, Churchill left the Admiralty.

Churchill Between the Wars

During the 1920s and 1930s, Churchill bounced from government job to government job, and in 1924 he rejoined the Conservatives. Especially after the Nazis came to power in 1933, Churchill spent a great deal of time warning his countrymen about the perils of German nationalism, but Britons were weary of war and reluctant to get involved in international affairs again.

Likewise, the British government ignored Churchill’s warnings and did all it could to stay out of Hitler’s way. In 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain even signed an agreement giving Germany a chunk of Czechoslovakia – “throwing a small state to the wolves,” Churchill scolded – in exchange for a promise of peace.

A year later, however, Hitler broke his promise and invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war. Chamberlain was pushed out of office, and Winston Churchill took his place as prime minister in May 1940.

Churchill: The “British Bulldog”

“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat,” Churchill told the House of Commons in his first speech as prime minister.

“We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”

Just as Churchill predicted, the road to victory in World War II was long and difficult: France fell to the Nazis in June 1940. In July, German fighter planes began three months of devastating air raids on Britain herself.

Though the future looked grim, Churchill did all he could to keep British spirits high. He gave stirring speeches in Parliament and on the radio. He persuaded U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide war supplies – ammunition, guns, tanks, planes – to the Allies, a program known as Lend-Lease, before the Americans even entered the war.

Though Churchill was one of the chief architects of the Allied victory, war-weary British voters ousted the Conservatives and their prime minister from office just two months after Germany’s surrender in 1945.

The Iron Curtain

The now-former prime minister spent the next several years warning Britons and Americans about the dangers of Soviet expansionism.

In a speech in Fulton, Missouri , in 1946, for example, Churchill declared that an anti-democratic “Iron Curtain,” “a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilization,” had descended across Europe. Churchill’s speech was the first time anyone had used that now-common phrase to describe the Communist threat.

In 1951, 77-year-old Winston Churchill became prime minister for the second time. He spent most of this term working (unsuccessfully) to build a sustainable détente between the East and the West. He retired from the post in 1955.

In 1953, Queen Elizabeth made Winston Churchill a knight of the Order of the Garter. He died in 1965, one year after retiring from Parliament.

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Winston Churchill

(1874-1965)

Who Was Winston Churchill?

Early years.

Churchill was born on November 30, 1874, at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.

From an early age, young Churchill displayed the traits of his father, Lord Randolph Churchill, a British statesman from an established English family, and his mother, Jeanette "Jennie" Jerome, an independent-minded New York socialite.

Churchill grew up in Dublin, Ireland, where his father was employed by his grandfather, the 7th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill.

Churchill proved to be an independent and rebellious student; after performing poorly at his first two schools, Churchill in April 1888 began attending Harrow School, a boarding school near London. Within weeks of his enrollment, he joined the Harrow Rifle Corps, putting him on a path to a military career.

At first, it didn't seem the military was a good choice for Churchill; it took him three tries to pass the exam for the British Royal Military College. However, once there, he fared well and graduated 20th in his class of 130.

Up to this time, his relationship with both his mother and father was distant, though he adored them both. While at school, Churchill wrote emotional letters to his mother, begging her to come see him, but she seldom came.

His father died when he was 21, and it was said that Churchill knew him more by reputation than by any close relationship they shared.

Military Career

Churchill enjoyed a brief but eventful career in the British Army at a zenith of British military power. He joined the Fourth Queen's Own Hussars in 1895 and served in the Indian northwest frontier and the Sudan, where he saw action in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.

While in the Army, he wrote military reports for the Pioneer Mail and the Daily Telegraph , and two books on his experiences, The Story of the Malakand Field Force (1898) and The River War (1899).

In 1899, Churchill left the Army and worked as a war correspondent for the Morning Post , a conservative daily newspaper. While reporting on the Boer War in South Africa, he was taken prisoner by the Boers during a scouting expedition.

He made headlines when he escaped, traveling almost 300 miles to Portuguese territory in Mozambique. Upon his return to Britain, he wrote about his experiences in the book London to Ladysmith via Pretoria (1900).

Parliament and Cabinet

In 1900, Churchill became a member of the British Parliament in the Conservative Party for Oldham, a town in Manchester. Following his father into politics, he also followed his father's sense of independence, becoming a supporter of social reform.

Unconvinced that the Conservative Party was committed to social justice, Churchill switched to the Liberal Party in 1904. He was elected a member of Parliament in 1908 and was appointed to the prime minister's cabinet as president of the Board of Trade.

As president of the Board of Trade, Churchill joined newly appointed Chancellor David Lloyd George in opposing the expansion of the British Navy. He introduced several reforms for the prison system, introduced the first minimum wage and helped set up labor exchanges and unemployment insurance.

Churchill also assisted in the passing of the People's Budget, which introduced taxes on the wealthy to pay for new social welfare programs. The budget passed in the House of Commons in 1909 and was initially defeated in the House of Lords before being passed in 1910.

In January 1911, Churchill showed his tougher side when he made a controversial visit to a police siege in London, with two alleged robbers holed up in a building.

Churchill's degree of participation is still in some dispute: Some accounts have him going to the scene only to see for himself what was going on; others state that he allegedly gave directions to police on how to best storm the building.

What is known is that the house caught fire during the siege and Churchill prevented the fire brigade from extinguishing the flames, stating that he thought it better to "let the house burn down," rather than risk lives rescuing the occupants. The bodies of the two robbers were later found inside the charred ruins.

Wife and Children

In 1908, Winston Churchill married Clementine Ogilvy Hozier after a short courtship.

The couple had five children together: Diana, Randolph, Sarah, Marigold (who died as a toddler of tonsillitis) and Mary.

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First Lord of the Admiralty

Named First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911, Churchill helped modernize the British Navy, ordering that new warships be built with oil-fired instead of coal-fired engines.

He was one of the first to promote military aircraft and set up the Royal Navy Air Service. He was so enthusiastic about aviation that he took flying lessons himself to understand firsthand its military potential.

Churchill also drafted a controversial piece of legislation to amend the Mental Deficiency Act of 1913, mandating sterilization of the feeble-minded. The bill, which mandated only the remedy of confinement in institutions, eventually passed in both houses of Parliament.

World War I

Churchill remained in his post as First Lord of the Admiralty through the start of World War I , but was forced out for his part in the disastrous Battle of Gallipoli . He resigned from the government toward the end of 1915.

For a brief period, Churchill rejoined the British Army, commanding a battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the Western Front and seeing action in "no man's land."

In 1917, he was appointed minister of munitions for the final year of the war, overseeing the production of tanks, airplanes and munitions.

After World War I

From 1919 to 1922, Churchill served as minister of war and air and colonial secretary under Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

As colonial secretary, Churchill was embroiled in another controversy when he ordered air power to be used on rebellious Kurdish tribesmen in Iraq, a British territory. At one point, he suggested that poisonous gas be used to put down the rebellion, a proposal that was considered but never enacted.

Fractures in the Liberal Party led to the defeat of Churchill as a member of Parliament in 1922, and he rejoined the Conservative Party. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer, returning Britain to the gold standard, and took a hard line against a general labor strike that threatened to cripple the British economy.

With the defeat of the Conservative government in 1929, Churchill was out of government. He was perceived as a right-wing extremist, out of touch with the people.

In the 1920s, after his ouster from government, Churchill took up painting. “Painting came to my rescue in a most trying time,” he later wrote.

Churchill went on to create over 500 paintings, typically working en plein air , though also practicing with still lifes and portraits. He claimed that painting helped him with his powers of observation and memory.

Sutherland Portrait

Churchill himself was the subject of a famous - and famously controversial - portrait by renowned artist Graham Sutherland.

Commissioned in 1954 by members of Parliament to mark Churchill's 80th birthday, the portrait was first unveiled in a public ceremony in Westminster Hall, where it met with considerable derision and laughter.

The unflattering modernist painting was reportedly loathed by Churchill and members of his family. Churchill's wife Clementine had the Sutherland portrait secretly destroyed in a bonfire several months after it was delivered to their country estate, Chartwell , in Kent.

'Wilderness Years'

Through the 1930s, known as his "wilderness years," Churchill concentrated on his writing, publishing a memoir and a biography of the First Duke of Marlborough.

During this time, he also began work on his celebrated A History of the English-Speaking Peoples , though it wouldn't be published for another two decades.

As activists in 1930s India clamored for independence from British rule, Churchill cast his lot with opponents of independence. He held particular scorn for Mahatma Gandhi , stating that "it is alarming and also nauseating to see Mr Gandhi, a seditious Middle Temple lawyer ... striding half-naked up the steps of the Vice-regal palace ... to parley on equal terms with the representative of the King-Emperor."

World War II

Although Churchill didn't initially see the threat posed by Adolf Hitler 's rise to power in the 1930s, he gradually became a leading advocate for British rearmament.

By 1938, as Germany began controlling its neighbors, Churchill had become a staunch critic of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain 's policy of appeasement toward the Nazis.

On September 3, 1939, the day Britain declared war on Germany, Churchill was again appointed First Lord of the Admiralty and a member of the war cabinet; by April 1940, he became chairman of the Military Coordinating Committee.

Later that month, Germany invaded and occupied Norway, a setback for Chamberlain, who had resisted Churchill's proposal that Britain preempt German aggression by unilaterally occupying vital Norwegian iron mines and seaports.

Prime Minister

On May 10, 1940, Chamberlain resigned and King George VI appointed Churchill as prime minister and minister of defense.

Within hours, the German army began its Western Offensive, invading the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Two days later, German forces entered France. As clouds of war darkened over Europe, Britain stood alone against the onslaught.

Churchill was to serve as prime minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, leading the country through World War II until Germany’s surrender.

Battle of Britain

Quickly, Churchill formed a coalition cabinet of leaders from the Labor, Liberal and Conservative parties. He placed intelligent and talented men in key positions.

On June 18, 1940, Churchill made one of his iconic speeches to the House of Commons, warning that "the Battle of Britain " was about to begin. Churchill kept resistance to Nazi dominance alive and created the foundation for an alliance with the United States and the Soviet Union.

Churchill had previously cultivated a relationship with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, and by March 1941, he was able to secure vital U.S. aid through the Lend Lease Act , which allowed Britain to order war goods from the United States on credit.

After the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Churchill was confident that the Allies would eventually win the war. In the months that followed, Churchill worked closely with Roosevelt and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to forge an Allied war strategy and postwar world.

In a meeting in Tehran (1943), at the Yalta Conference (1945) and the Potsdam Conference (1945), Churchill collaborated with the two leaders to develop a united strategy against the Axis Powers and helped craft the postwar world with the United Nations as its centerpiece.

As the war wound down, Churchill proposed plans for social reforms in Britain but was unable to convince the public. Despite Germany's surrender on May 7, 1945, Churchill was defeated in the general election in July 1945.

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965), in the garden of No 10 Downing Street. At this time he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.

'Iron Curtain' Speech

In the six years after Churchill’s defeat, he became the leader of the opposition party and continued to have an impact on world affairs.

In March 1946, while on a visit to the United States, he made his famous "Iron Curtain" speech , warning of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. He also advocated that Britain remain independent from European coalitions.

With the general election of 1951, Churchill returned to government. He became prime minister for the second time in October 1951 and served as minister of defense between October 1951 and March 1952.

Churchill went on to introduce reforms such as the Mines and Quarries Act of 1954, which improved working conditions in mines, and the Housing Repairs and Rent Act of 1955, which established standards for housing.

These domestic reforms were overshadowed by a series of foreign policy crises in the colonies of Kenya and Malaya, where Churchill ordered direct military action. While successful in putting down the rebellions, it became clear that Britain was no longer able to sustain its colonial rule.

Nobel Prize

In 1953, Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II .

The same year, he was named the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature for "his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values," according to the Nobel Prize committee.

Churchill died on January 24, 1965, at age 90, in his London home nine days after suffering a severe stroke. Britain mourned for more than a week.

Churchill had shown signs of fragile health as early as 1941 when he suffered a heart attack while visiting the White House. Two years later, he had a similar attack while battling a bout of pneumonia.

In June 1953, at age 78, he endured a series of strokes at his office. That particular news was kept from the public and Parliament, with the official announcement stating that he had suffered from exhaustion.

Churchill recuperated at home and returned to his work as prime minister in October. However, it was apparent even to the great statesman that he was physically and mentally slowing down, and he retired as prime minister in 1955. Churchill remained a member of Parliament until the general election of 1964 when he did not seek reelection.

There was speculation that Churchill suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his final years, though medical experts pointed to his earlier strokes as the likely cause of reduced mental capacity.

Despite his poor health, Churchill was able to remain active in public life, albeit mostly from the comfort of his homes in Kent and Hyde Park Gate in London.

As with other influential world leaders, Churchill left behind a complicated legacy.

Honored by his countrymen for defeating the dark regime of Hitler and the Nazi Party , he topped the list of greatest Britons of all time in a 2002 BBC poll, outlasting other luminaries like Charles Darwin and William Shakespeare .

To critics, his steadfast commitment to British imperialism and his withering opposition to independence for India underscored his disdain for other races and cultures.

Churchill Movies and Books

Churchill has been the subject of numerous portrayals on the big and small screen over the years, with actors from Richard Burton to Christian Slater taking a crack at capturing his essence. John Lithgow delivered an acclaimed performance as Churchill in the Netflix series The Crown , winning an Emmy for his work in 2017.

That year also brought the release of two biopics: In June, Brian Cox starred in the titular role of Churchill , about the events leading up to the World War II invasion of Normandy. Gary Oldman took his turn by undergoing an eye-popping physical transformation to become the iconic statesman in Darkest Hour .

Churchill's standing as a towering figure of the 20th century is such that his two major biographies required multiple authors and decades of research between volumes. William Manchester published volume 1 of The Last Lion in 1983 and volume 2 in 1986, but died while working on part 3; it was finally completed by Paul Reid in 2012.

The official biography, Winston S. Churchill , was begun by the former prime minister's son Randolph in the early 1960s; it passed on to Martin Gilbert in 1968, and then into the hands of an American institution, Hillsdale College , some three decades later. In 2015, Hillsdale published volume 18 of the series.

QUICK FACTS

Name: Winston Churchill
Birth Year: 1874
Birth date: November 30, 1874
Birth City: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Birth Country: England
Gender: Male
Best Known For: Winston Churchill was a British military leader and statesman. Twice named prime minister of Great Britain, he helped to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II.
World Politics
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Harrow School
Brunswick School
Royal Military College (Academy) at Sandhurst
St. George's School
Interesting Facts
Winston Churchill was a prolific writer and author and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953.
Churchill was a son of a British statesman father and an American socialite mother.
In 1963 President JFK bestowed Churchill honorary U.S. citizenship, the first time a president gave such an award to a foreign national.
Death Year: 1965
Death date: January 24, 1965
Death City: Hyde Park Gate, London
Death Country: England

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

Article Title: Winston Churchill Biography
Author: Biography.com Editors
Website Name: The Biography.com website
Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figures/winston-churchill
Access Date:
Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
Last Updated: January 22, 2021
Original Published Date: April 3, 2014
An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities ... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.

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Best Books Hub

Reviews of The Best Books on Every Subject

20 Best Books on Churchill (2022 Review)

September 20, 2020 by James Wilson

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Winston Spencer-Churchill is one of the most famous classic personalities in modern history. He is famous for being an army general, politician and writer. Sir Churchill was elected as Britain’s Prime Minister when he led the country successfully through the World War Two.

Churchill belonged to a British-American family. He joined the army, rising to Army General and later entered politics. When the war ended, he devoted his time to the arts, namely painting, writing and history. His writings were famous throughout the country and he was responsible for penning many historical events for the generations to come. His efforts earned him the 1953 Noble Award for Literature.

What are the Best Churchill Books to read?

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume I: Visions of Glory 1874-1932

Best Books on Churchill: Our Top 20 Picks

Understandably he has been a very popular topic for future writers to record his life and work in their writings. A complete narration of all the works is an exhaustive topic; however, books on this great personality are mentioned below:

1. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Visions of Glory 1874-1932

The Last Lion is a three part series based on the complete life of Sir Winston Churchill. This biography starts from right at the beginning, from his childhood and showing how he came to be amongst the greatest leaders of the world. It is detailed narration of how his personality shaped up.

The author has done complete justice to the literacy level of Churchill himself. The narration is quite compelling and keeps the reader engaged. The curiosity of how leaders are made is enough to spell-bound an interested reader.

Once readers read this first part, it is difficult to put it down. They are bound to go for the next volumes to know what happens next. The series is one of the best in the market on Churchill’s life.

Authors : William Manchester (Author)
Publisher : Little, Brown and Company; 1st Edition (May 30, 1983)
Pages : 992 pages

2. Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill

Generally most of the books and records of Sir Churchill cover his role in the World War II or his talents. However, this is one of those rare writings which cover his earlier military life.

He covered the Boer War as a journalist but was unfortunately captured as a prisoner. His life as a POW and his daring escape is what forms the main content of this volume. His escapade was nothing short of thrilling, covered perfectly in the author’s engaging words.

This book is a great recommendation for those who want to find out the lesser known events of a very popular historic figure. The events are aptly covered in the thrilling tale of war, escape and adventure.

Authors : Candice Millard (Author)
Publisher : Anchor; Illustrated Edition (May 30, 2017)
Pages : 416 pages

3. Churchill: Walking with Destiny

Whilst many biographies on historical personalities focus on the events and the role of various people in shaping it, this one stands out for its different focus. The author has penned down Sir Winston’s own views and feelings for the major events of his life. It is truly a captivating biography.

The author was provided special access to Churchill’s historic records and diaries which enabled him to produce such a unique biography. It introduces readers to the actual person rather than being the common narration of the great leader. The feelings and thoughts humanise the series of events we all know all too well.

This book is specially recommended for those who prefer the human touch to their literature rather than a historic list of chronological events.

Authors : Andrew Roberts (Author)
Publisher : Viking; Illustrated Edition (November 6, 2018)
Pages : 1152 pages

4. The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History

A highly unique record of the great life of Sir Churchill, this book combines real events and presents them mixed with amazing wit and life. A rare combination of dry history and fresh humour, it is an amazing read for book lovers.

This literature debunks several popular myths and misconceptions surrounding the great Winston Churchill. His role in World War Two and the life he led after has been penned in quite a refreshing tone. His contributions to politics, war, journalism, and social causes have all been elaborated in satisfying detail.

The humorous and fresh tone of the writing is what makes this book a must-have for history lovers. It brings home the fact that history is never boring!

Authors : Boris Johnson (Author)
Publisher : Riverhead Books; Reprint Edition (October 27, 2015)
Pages : 400 pages

5. Churchill: A Life

The official biography of Sir Winston Churchill, this book is the main go-to writing which anyone with an interest in the great man’s life should go through. It has been compiled after years of attentive research and careful working. It is quite lengthy as it includes several details necessary to understand the life Churchill had.

The biography goes into interesting details of Sir Winston’s life, right from his youth. His childhood has been immortalised to give readers a good understanding of what shaped one of the greatest men we know in history.

As biographies go, even this volume may become boring for some readers. However, the full eventful and successful life of Sir Winston Churchill could not have been penned down better.

Authors : Martin Gilbert (Author)
Publisher : Holt Paperbacks; First U.S. edition. (October 15, 1992)
Pages : 1088 pages

6. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965

The last volume of this three part series is based on the events of the Second World War and its after-effects. It is the final book and shows the end of the great life he led. It portrays the human side of what readers had previously only known as a staunch statesman and a talented artist.

The book takes its readers through how Churchill dealt with being a Prime Minister at a very sensitive time for Britain. His stance on various political moves is narrated in detail. It is the perfect ending for the series.

This series is unique in the human touch it gives rather than a simple narration. It keeps the readers from putting the books down until they are done with the last line.

Authors : Paul Reid (Author), William Manchester (Author)
Publisher : Little, Brown and Company; Illustrated Edition (November 6, 2012)
Pages : 1183 pages

7. The Gathering Storm, 1948 (Winston S. Churchill The Second World Wa Book 1)

This is the first of a six volume series depicting the various stages of Churchill’s great life. The first volume portrays the events of the World War II and Sir Winston’s important role in resisting the Nazi infiltration.

The most interesting aspect of this literary work is the inclusion of authentic records of the events in Churchill’s own words. His letters and memoirs have been immortalised in this volume, giving a high level of interest and authenticity of the work.

This book is highly recommended to those who prefer reading authentic records of historic events in the people’s own words. It will definitely lead to interest in the complete six book series set.

Authors : Winston S. Churchill (Author)
Publisher : RosettaBooks (June 30, 2010)
Pages : 750 pages

8. Churchill’s Trial: Winston Churchill and the Salvation of Free Government

This book covers a challenging and major part of Churchill’s life, namely his political career. He had to make several tough calls and make many important decisions, all of which impacted the whole nation. His potential as a tough statesman is what covers the pages of this amazing volume.

Churchill faced three main challenges as a leader: Nazis, Soviet Communism and Britain’s socialism. How he faced these and rose above the challenges to make a mark upon the history pages is a fascinating story.

This book correctly portrays how fact is stranger than fiction. It shows us how Winston took important decisions in tough times which successfully led his country to a remarkable victory in the Second World War.

Authors : Larry P. Arnn (Author)
Publisher : Thomas Nelson; BCE Edition (October 13, 2015)

9. Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom

This book not only covers Churchill and his life’s struggles but also talks about a great personality who went through his own challenges around the same timeline i.e. George Orwell.

These men have had their tough shares in the political background of the two world wars. Both have had their lives endangered and survived through it, giving them a chance to leave a stronger legacy that they could if the unfortunate turn of events, Orwell being shot in the neck during wartime and Churchill being hit by a car, had claimed their lives earlier. Their triumphs and challenges have been portrayed for readers, which humanises these great men.

Instead of focusing solely on Winston Churchill, the added details of Orwell’s life captivate the true history fan.

Authors : Thomas E. Ricks (Author)
Publisher : Penguin Books; Reprint Edition (May 23, 2017)
Pages : 348 pages

10. Churchill

There is no shortage of biographies of the great Sir Winston Churchill. This biography is one of the many written depicting the life he led, from childhood until his death. It is shorter than most similar volumes but in no way short of touching upon the important aspects.

The writer has very creatively managed to summarise the great life of Churchill, and covered all the important events, including his early military life, he political roles, his leadership through one of Britain’s most trying times and finally his devotion to arts and writing. The short and brisk nature of the biography keeps the reader engaged, without compromising on quality or content.

This is a good recommendation for students or busy professionals who have an interest in history and famous personalities.

Authors : Paul Johnson (Author)
Publisher : Penguin Books; Illustrated Edition (October 26, 2010)
Pages : 192 pages

11. The Wit & Wisdom of Winston Churchill

This book is another of the many volumes that compile the famous sayings and speech of the great Winston Churchill. However this one is different in the fact that it lists them with context and topic for easy reference.

While most compilations are more of just information and entertainment, this book is useful for those working on the great leader’s life, be it as a student, a debater, for a speech or simple fact compilation. The organisation really helps the user navigate through it easily.

Churchill is famous for his wit and humour, not to mention his amazing flow of words. This books pays tribute to him in a unique and informative manner and helps the modern historian in their own workings.

Authors : James C. Humes (Author), Richard M. Nixon (Foreword)
Publisher : Harper Perennial; Harper Perennia Edition (January 1, 1995)
Pages : 256 pages

12. The Wicked Wit of Winston Churchill (The Wicked Wit of series)

In the backdrop of the dark times, Winston Churchill was famous for having a steady and bold head on his shoulders. He survived through the tough times with his brilliant wit and famous humour.

This book complies several of his famous quotes, puns and sayings, which explore his witty and fresh side. Without many details or any historical facts, this book simply showcases the wicked humour Sir Churchill had and how he displayed it through his words.

For anyone looking for pure entertainment and genuine work of literary brilliance, this is a great recommendation. It is impossible to disappoint even those who are unaware of the life of Winston Churchill. It is short and crisp, never losing it firm grip on the reader’s attention.

Authors : Dominique Enright (Author)
Publisher : Michael O’Mara; Revised Edition (September 1, 2011)
Pages : 160 pages

13. Churchill: The Power of Words

Compiled by Sir Churchill’s chosen biographer, this book compiles the great man’s own speeches and writings in the aptly named volume. It includes well-chosen speeches which lead the reader through his life’s events.

Winston Churchill was a man of words, and his writings are well-liked in the literary world. This book presents a fair tribute to the writer, whether through his famous speeches or his popular articles. They are presented in chronological order, leading the readers through a satisfying time lapse of his life.

This is a very interesting read for book-lovers who prefer having authentic sources for the information in history books. The beautiful net of words spun by Churchill himself is just the cherry on top of the very famous life-events.

Authors : Winston Churchill (Author), Martin Gilbert (Editor)
Publisher : Da Capo Press; Illustrated Edition (October 1, 2013)
Pages : 536 pages

14. The World Crisis, 1911-1918

While most of the records on Sir Churchill focus on his role during the Second World War, many forget that he also had an impactful role during the First War. This books identifies and talks about just that, in the very own words of the great man himself.

Churchill’s leadership during the political unrest, the wartime, the famines and all, are portrayed very interestingly in this volume. The first-hand account of the lesser remembered war is a must-read for history lovers.

This book not only gives an interesting insight to the beginning of the twentieth century in all its details, but also exemplifies the true writing potential of the great statesman. Highly recommended for Churchill fans.

Authors : Winston S. Churchill (Author), Martin Gilbert (Introduction)
Publisher : Free Press; Reissue Edition (October 6, 2005)
Pages : 880 pages

15. Memoirs of the Second World War

There is nothing like learning about history, than in the words of those who lived it. This book more that proves this fact. It is written by none other than Churchill himself.

Churchill saw first-hand how tragic the Second World War was. And he made it a point to pen down all the events, and his role and feelings throughout it, to ensure he recorded the important facts in history. The way he has immortalised the Second World War is as unique as the man himself.

For history loves and fans of Sir Winston, there are many books available that immortalise the life history of the great leader. However, this unique memoir beats them all due to its authenticity and the engaging words of a great writer, Sir Churchill himself.

Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Company; Reprint Edition (September 17, 1991)
Pages : 1065 pages

16. No More Champagne: Churchill and His Money

Although Churchill belonged to a wealthy family, his own life was not as smoothly in terms of finance, as one would expect. Behind the strong, firm and empowering man, there was a life of financial troubles and smart planning to get through.

This is a unique book which focuses on one of the lesser known sides to Sir Winston’s story. It reveals some very private matters of his life that had been buried under the more famous larger than life persona.

The different topic it covers and the good writing style is a good attraction for those looking for unique books. It caters to history lovers who want to sketch complete pictures f their favourite classic personalities.

Authors : David Lough (Author)
Publisher : Head of Zeus (June 1, 2016)
Pages : 528 pages

17. Churchill By Himself: The Definitive Collection of Quotations

Sir Winston Churchill was a true man of words. His writings and published works eventually led him to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. His wit and humour are famous amongst the classic books.

This book compiles some of his most famous sayings and words. It is merely a list, but one of the most entertaining and engaging ones for books lovers. No true fan can rest without going through his well-known witty remarks.

Even if you are not interested in history and its facts, this compilation is a must-have for you, not just for entertainment but for an amazing insight into one of the most brilliant minds of the twentieth century. It will definitely keep you engaged until the last word.

Authors : Richard Langworth (Editor)
Publisher : PublicAffairs; Illustrated Edition (May 24, 2011)
Pages : 656 pages

18. Churchill Style: The Art of Being Winston Churchill

Any true Churchill fan would include one adjective when describing their favourite leader and that is Style! Wrapping up all that personality and wit into a truly attractive stylish exterior is something very few people can carry, and Churchill was one of those. This book is fine tribute to all that uniqueness.

From his main house, to all his preferred clothing styles, food, drinks, cigars, travelling etc., everything was a sight to behold. This book not only gives interesting details of all that glamour, but also supports them with some very sought after pictures.

This one is for those true fans who want to leave nothing to imagination when getting to know their leader better.

Authors : Barry Singer (Author)
Publisher : Harry N. Abrams; Illustrated Edition (May 1, 2012)
Pages : 240 pages

19. The Smart Words and Wicked Wit of Winston Churchill

For all the hardships and grave happenings through his life, Sir Winston had a unique wit and humour that many readers love. He is known well in the literary circle for his unmatched choice of words.

This compilation is perfect for his fans that look beyond the history and love him as an artist. It is not narrative rather it simply compiles his many words and speeches, portraying the amazing intellect and humour of Churchill. Readers would love and enjoy he time going through this masterpiece.

Whether you want it for your own collection, or are looking for a gift for a loved one, this book is perfect for any Churchill fan to include in their library.

Authors : Max Morris (Editor)
Publisher : Skyhorse (March 21, 2017)

20. Secrets of Churchill’s War Rooms

When Winston Churchill was elected the Prime Minister in 1940, the World War II was ust beginning. He knew he had to lead his country through it. For this Churchill allocated the famous War Rooms, where he ran his country from.

The rooms have been locked up in secrecy ever since the war ended. Only recently were they unlocked and displayed to the general public. This book walks us through these rooms, detailing the events and the famous talks and discussions held in them during the tough times.

A truly interesting feature is the pictures included which fascinate the avid readers. These pictures go beyond the areas open to public, taking us through the realities of the wartime leadership. A fascinating read for Churchill fans.

Authors : Jonathan Asbury (Author)
Publisher : Imperial War Museums (January 15, 2017)
Pages : 288 pages

Choosing the Best Churchill Books

Although the literary world is over-loaded with books on one of the greatest leaders of the world, none of which could possibly do justice to the breadth of his amazing personality, there are a choice few that come close to the feat. A true biography of such an eventful life is near-miracle. There are several lessons to be learnt from Sir Churchill’s life, whether it be as a leader, as an army general or as an artist.

The above-mentioned works come close to showing what a full life Sir Winston Churchill led. These are the few must-haves as a start to getting to know him as a living person.

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Non-Fiction

11 Best Books On Winston Churchill

“I never gave them courage. I was able to focus theirs.”

Few figures can match the magnitude of Winston Churchill. A massive figure both as a statesman and as a man, Churchill is a figure who has unified and divided people ever since making his first mark in history. A volatile and later disgraced MP who rose to lead his country to victory out of the darkest of days against Fascism, Churchill’s views, morals and private personal characteristics have enthralled and fascinated readers for over fifty years after his death. Join us at What We Reading for the 11 best books on Winston Churchill!

My Early Life 1874-1904 – Winston Churchill

Who better to start off with than the man himself? In My Early Life 1874-1904 , Churchill takes readers through the opening thirty years of his life as a way of giving readers insight into the makings of one of modern history’s most defining figures.

The book covers Churchill’s early years, his schooling, his experiences as a war correspondent in South Africa during the Boer War and his first encounters as a young Member of Parliament. Not only is this a valuable resource shedding light on a criminally underrepresented portion of history, but it is also a beautiful read into Churchill’s influences and motivations in his formative years.

Winston Churchill As I Knew Him – Violet Bonham Carter

Daughter of former Liberal Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and grandmother to the Academy Award-winning actor, Violet Bonham Carter was an acclaimed British politician and diarist. As a leading opposer of appeasement and a huge figure in her own right, she was Winston Churchill’s closest female friend, besides his wife.

Mainly covering the period during the years of the First World War, Winston Churchill As I Knew Him is a personal collection of unique and private moments from the man himself, showcasing his vulnerabilities and insecurities from one of the darkest points of his life.

Winston Churchill: His Times, His Crimes – Tariq Ali

Winston Churchill is a figure whose attitudes and ideals have been increasingly scrutinised as time has gone on. A fierce advocate for Imperialism and the preservation of the British Empire during his life, his darker beliefs are put under the spotlight in Tariq Ali’s Winston Churchill: His Times, His Crimes .

This 2022 historical nonfiction book covers some of the lesser-known actions conducted by the former PM that was entrenched in the sorts of values most would consider racist today. From suppression of women’s suffrage, the Bengal Famine, war crimes in Kenya, the advocacy of poison gas against local tribesmen and the 1955 election slogan ‘keep Britain white’, Ali’s 2022 biography is essential for understanding Churchill from all angles.

The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History – Boris Johnson

One former British PM details the life and times of another in Boris Johnson’s The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History .

This political biography , released to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of his death, details how Churchill’s eccentricities helped to fashion a career that shaped his world, and our one today. There is obviously quite a lot of awe-struck about the book, but Boris Johnson’s admiration for Churchill gives the book so much character and serves to illustrate the influence and legacy Britain’s wartime leader has left behind.

Churchill: Walking With Destiny – Andrew Roberts

Possibly one of the most acclaimed books on Winston Churchill ever written, Walking With Destiny comes from the skilled mind of historian Andrew Roberts, author of Napoleon and The Storm of War.

In the book, Roberts gets given access to never-before-seen transcripts, memoirs, notes from King George VI and personal letters that had previously been withheld from the public to present Churchill in a new light. Walking With Destiny details the fuels and motivations behind the man, attempting to shed light on how one man proved himself to be one of the most unwavering in contemporary history.

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The Splendid And The Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz – Erik Larson

The summer of 1940 was a period in British history known as ‘ the Blitz ’. In an effort to drain British war efforts and pummel morale to the point of surrender, the German Luftwaffe’s constant bombing raids over British cities have gone down in infamy as the country’s ‘darkest hour’.

Nominated for Best History & Biography (2020) in the Goodreads Choice Awards, Erik Larson’s The Splendid and the Vile details how Churchill’s defiance in the face of the worst odds imaginable was forged and passed on to the British people. Featuring diary entries, archival evidence and newly classified intel, this WW2 book follows Churchill and his family during their day-to-day existence, detailing everything from his wife’s illicit lover to the members of the PM’s ‘secret circle’.

The Wicked Wit Of Winston Churchill – Dominique Enright

Along with his staunch ideals, Winston Churchill has gone down in history as one of the quintessential sharp-tongued, snarky Englishmen.

Dominique Enright’s 2001 book The Wicked Wit of Winston Churchill features the best collection of quips, questions, remarks and comebacks from his lifetime. From his quick wit to his profound understanding of humanity and the horrors of war, it is one of the most invaluable books on Winston Churchill for those looking for a quick read to better understand the complexities of his character.

Churchill: A Life – Martin Gilbert

Consisting of eight volumes that took over a quarter of a century to write, Churchill: A Life is the single edition of acclaimed historian Martin Gilbert’s work on Britain’s WW2 PM.

The official biographer of Winston Churchill, Gilbert takes readers through his entire life, how his steadfast beliefs helped steer Britain through its most vulnerable days, but also how he showed himself to be a trailblazer when it came to technology and warfare. Helping to pioneer the use of aircraft, anti-aircraft and tank technology, Gilbert’s work helps showcase how Churchill has become the enduring face of the Second World War.

Churchill And The Islamic World – Warren Dockter

Churchill and the Islamic World : Orientalism, Empire and Diplomacy in the Middle East the 2014 historical biography from Warren Dockter. In it, Dockter examines Churchill’s orientalist views and how they shaped British colonial relations during his lifespan.

And whilst he might be best remembered for his actions in the Western hemisphere these views and opinions drastically helped shape the modern Islamic world we see today. From securing valuable commodities such as oil, and preventing Russian expansion all the way to preserving British Imperialistic values, Dockter masterfully weaves all of these into one valuable resource here for one of the best books on Winston Churchill.

Churchill And Secret Service – David Stafford

David Stafford’s biography, Churchill and Secret Service , takes readers on a thrilling journey through Winston Churchill’s deep fascination with the world of espionage and secret intelligence.

From The Great Game between Russia and the United Kingdom to his influential role in the Anglo-American coup that toppled Mussadiq in Iran in 1953, Stafford’s absorbing account reveals how Churchill helped establish the contemporary Secret Service. With vivid details and a compelling narrative, Churchill and Secret Service is a must-read for anyone interested in this intriguing aspect of Churchill’s life.

The Iron Curtain: Churchill, America and the Origins of the Cold War – Fraser J Harbutt

Churchill’s remarkable career was characterized by both extraordinary achievements and significant setbacks. While his 1945 election defeat was one of the biggest electoral upsets in British history, Fraser J Harbutt’s The Iron Curtain shows how this disappointment played a key role in solidifying Churchill’s iconic status in the United States.

Through Harbutt’s insightful exploration of Churchill’s contribution to the onset of the Cold War, readers are invited to witness Churchill’s rise as one of the foremost advocates of Western democracy during a time when much of Eastern Europe was being engulfed by Stalin’s Communist regime.

Novels about Churchill - Battle of Britain

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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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The Life of Churchill

The Official Biography of Winston Churchill

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June 18, 2008

About the official biography.

WINSTON S. CHURCHILL by Randolph Churchill & Martin Gilbert

The first volume of Winston S. Churchill was published in 1966, the year after Sir Winston died. After Randolph’s death in 1968 Martin Gilbert, who had joined Randolph as a research assistant in 1962, was appointed by the Churchill family to be the official biographer.

Sir Martin died in 2015 and since that time his former assistant, Dr Larry Arnn now of Hillsdale College is working to complete the biography companion volumes, known as The Churchill Documents . Sir Martin included the following acknowledgement: ‘The publication of [ The War Papers ] was made possible by the exceptional generosity of Wendy Reves, and by the determination of the International Churchill Society… to bring the Churchill document series, known as the Companion Volumes, back into production.’

2024 International Churchill Conference

The following volumes of the official biography have been published to date:, narrative volumes.

Volume I. Youth, 1874-1900 by Randolph S. Churchill Volume II. Young Statesman, 1901-1914 by Randolph S. Churchill Volume III. The Challenge of War, 1914-1916 by Martin Gilbert Volume IV. World in Torment, 1916-1922 by Martin Gilbert Volume V. Prophet of Truth, 1922-1939 by Martin Gilbert Volume VI. Finest Hour, 1939-1941 by Martin Gilbert Volume VII. Road to Victory, 1941-1945 by Martin Gilbert Volume VIII. Never Despair, 1945-1965 by Martin Gilbert

‘The Churchill Documents’, Companion Volumes

Volume 1. Youth 1874-1896 Volume 2. Young Soldier 1896-1901 Volume 3. Early Years in Politics 1901-1907 Volume 4. Minister of the Crown 1907-1911 Volume 5. At the Admiralty 1911-1914 Volume 6. At the Admiralty July 1914-April 1915 Volume 7. The Escaped Scapegoat May 1915-December 1916 Volume 8. War and Aftermath December 1916-June 1919 Volume 9. Disruption and Chaos July 1919-March 1921 Volume 10. Conciliation and Reconstruction April 1921-November 1922 Volume 11. The Exchequer Years 1922-1929 Volume 12. The Wilderness Years 1929-1935 Volume 13. The Coming of War 1936-1939 Volume 14. At the Admiralty September 1939-May 1940 Volume 15. Never Surrender May 1940-December 1940 Volume 16. The Ever-Widening War 1941 Volume 17. Testing Times 1942 Volume 18. One Continent Redeemed January-August 1943 Volume 19. Fateful Questions: September 1943 – April 1944 Volume 20. Normandy and Beyond: May – December 1944 Volume 21. The Shadows of Victory: January – July 1945 Volume 22. Leader of the Opposition: August 1945 – October 1951 Volume 23. Never Flinch, Never Weary: November 1951 – February 1965

“‘Why study Churchill?,’ I am often asked. ‘Surely he has nothing to say to us today?’ Yet in my own work, as I open file after file of Churchill’s archive, from his entry into government in 1905 to his retirement in 1955 (a fifty-year span) I am continually surprised by the truth of his assertions, the modernity of his thought, the originality of his mind, the constructiveness of his proposals, his humanity, and, most remarkable of all, his foresight.” -Sir Martin Gilbert

You will help to support the International Churchill Society by purchasing your hardcover or digital editions at Amazon.com by following this link.

Not Really “Official”

Incidentally, the name ‘Official Biography’ is somewhat misleading, as Sir Martin Gilbert noted in a 1991 interview with Brian Lamb on C-Span’s ‘Booknotes’ : ‘I’m called the official biographer, though to the enormous credit of the Churchill family they’ve never asked to see a single word of what I was writing until the books were printed and bound and ready for sale to the public. They never asked me to delete a word or to skirt around a particular issue. So ‘official’ is a misnomer if it’s thought to mean a censored or restricted biographer.’

Winston and Clementine

Churchill: Leader and Statesman

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What was Churchill’s best seller?

By RONALD I. COHEN
| April 14, 2017
Category: Q & A The Literary Churchill

Q: We are asked if My Early Life , Churchill’s classic (and regrettably sole) autobiography, first published in 1930 and in print over most of the near-ninety years since, is his best selling work. An interesting question, which we referred to Churchill bibliographer Ronald Cohen.

A: While I don’t retain anything like a running total of copies sold, I do have pretty comprehensive records of the translations, which are a reasonable reflection of the breadth and size of the reader audience. Even without precise sales figures to hand, I feel comfortable in concluding that the runaway Churchill best seller of all time is The Second World War (six volumes, 1948-54). In second place I would place A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (four volumes, 1956-58). The quantitative strength of sales of these titles is enhanced by their Book-of-the-Month Club issues in North America. Both were of course also serialised in North America (in Life Magazine ) and the UK (in Everybody ’ s ), which adds to the readership, if not the sales, of the books themselves. They were also followed by abridgments, which do add to the numbers.

They also had strong translation records, which of course increases the sales figures, although The Second World War, his best seller, had more than twice as many translations as the English-Speaking Peoples. Interestingly, and this does reflect on the best-selling records of these multi-volume works, I record 34 separate editions and issues of SWW and a surprisingly large number (31) of editions and issues of HESP .

Among single-volume works, I would be (intuitively) inclined to rank My Early Life first, and thus the third best seller if we include the multi-volume works, in terms of the number of languages into which it was translated and the continuity of new editions and issues, which have been produced as recently as 2007. A new edition with fresh footnotes, edited by James W. Muller, along the lines of Muller’s editions of Thoughts and Adventures and Great Contemporaries, may soon be published.

In its time, Churchill’s greatest war speeches, compiled as Into Battle ( Blood, Sweat and Tears in North America, had a huge reception and for a while led his best-sellers). In Britain there were five printings alone in February 1941, and twelve overall. But its popularity was not enduring; no new editions have appeared in the past fifty years, and even the last one (in 1966 under a very different title, manifesting no relationship to the original work) was a compilation likely motivated by Sir Winston’s death. Otherwise, there had been no new edition or printing in the last seventy years.

Herewith a small table of translations of these books. I can of course provide the equivalent for any of Churchill’s works, although I do not retain such an overall table currently. (Your question makes me think that I should.)

Translations

The Second World War: 22 languages, including the more recent and uncommon in terms of translations of Churchillian works, Arabic and Catalan versions of the abridged edition.

My Early Life: 18 languages

History of the English-Speaking Peoples: 10 languages

Into Battle = Blood Sweat and Tears: 10 languages

My Early Life is a great book that Winston Churchill wrote. Another great book about Winston Churchill is Churchill A Life by Martin Gilbert.

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Biography Online

Winston Churchill Biography

Churchill was famous for his stubborn resistance to Hitler during the darkest hours of the Second World War.

Short Bio Winston Churchill

Winston was born at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock near Oxford to an aristocratic family – the Duke of Marlborough. He was brought up by servants and friends of the family. He rarely spoke to his father, and he spent most of his childhood at boarding school – Harrow. Churchill wasn’t the best student, having a rebellious nature and was reportedly slow to learn; but Churchill excelled at sports and joined the officer cadet corps, which he enjoyed.

On leaving school, he went to Sandhurst to train as an officer. After gaining his commission, Churchill sought to gain as much active military experience as possible. He used his mother’s connections to get postings to areas of conflict. The young Churchill received postings to Cuba and North West India. He also combined his military duties with working as a war correspondent – earning substantial money for his reports on the fighting.

In 1899, he resigned from the military and pursued his career as a war correspondent. He was in South Africa for the Boer War, and he became a minor celebrity for his role in taking part in a scouting patrol, getting captured and later escaping. He might have gained the Victoria Cross for his efforts, though officially he was a civilian at the time. After this experience, he gained a temporary commission in the South Africa Light Horses and later commented he had a ‘good war’ while continuing his work as a war correspondent.

Winston Churchill 1900

Churchill returned to the UK in 1900 and successfully stood as a Conservative candidate for Oldham. After becoming an MP, Churchill began a lucrative speaking tour, where he could command a high price for his speeches.

In 1904, he made a dramatic shift, leaving the Conservative Party and joining the Liberal Party. He was later often called a ‘class traitor’ by some Conservative colleagues. Churchill disagreed with an increasing amount of Conservative policies, including tariff protection. Churchill also had some empathy for improving the welfare of the working class and helping the poor.

In the Liberal Party, Churchill made a meteoric political rise. By 1908, he was made President of the Board of Trade, and he was a key supporter of Lloyd George’s radical People’s Budget – a budget which saw the growth of an embryonic Welfare State and introduction of income tax to pay for it. The budget made a significant improvement to the life of the poor and helped to address the inequality of British society.

“What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?”

– W. Churchill Speech at Kinnaird Hall, Dundee, Scotland (“Unemployment”), October 10, 1908,

However, although Churchill was a Liberal, he was also staunchly anti-Socialist and suspicious of trade unions. During the General Strike, he took a hardline stance to defeat the unions at any cost.

In 1911, he was made First Lord of the Admiralty – a post he held into the First World War.

On the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, Churchill was one of the most strident members of the cabinet arguing for British involvement in the war. In August 1914, the Liberal cabinet was split with some members against going to war on the continent. However, Churchill’s view prevailed, and he admitted to being enthused about the prospects of being involved in the ‘Great War’. He went to Belgium where he urged the Royal Marines to commit to action around Antwerp. This decision was criticised for wasting resources. Others said it helped saved the channel ports from the advancing German army.

Churchill also used naval funds to help develop the tank – something he felt would be useful in the war.

However, despite tremendous eagerness for war, his flagship policy for the war was deemed a failure. Churchill planned the 1915 Dardanelles Campaign – a daring bid to knock Turkey out of the war. But, unfortunately, it proved a military failure with thousands of Allied casualties and no military gain. Although the fault of the failure was shared amongst others, Churchill resigned from his post and sought to gain a position in the army on the Western Front.

churchill-War_Industry_in_Britain_during_the_First_World_War_Q84077

At the end of the First World War, Churchill was active in trying to support the Russian white army – who were trying to resist the Communist forces which had gained control over the Soviet Union.

In 1924 Churchill was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer by Conservative PM Stanley Baldwin. Under advice from many economists, Churchill made the decision to return Britain to the Gold Standard at a pre-war level. But, this proved to be damaging to the economy and led to a period of deflation, high unemployment and low growth. Churchill later admitted this was his greatest domestic mistake.

The low growth and declining living standards contributed to the General Strike of 1926 – Churchill eagerly sought to break the strikers and defeat the trades unions. During this period he expressed admiration for Mussolini for being a strong leader.

In the 1930s, his political eccentricities consigned him to the backbenches, where he was a vocal critic of appeasement and urged the government to re-arm. Churchill was often a lone voice in speaking about the growing danger of Hitler’s Germany. He also opposed Indian Independence and was a staunch supporter of the Empire.

After an unsuccessful start to the Second World War, the Commons chose Churchill to lead the UK in a national coalition. Churchill was instrumental in insisting Britain keep fighting. He opposed the minority voices in the cabinet seeking to make any deal with Hitler.

Churchill proved an adept war leader. His speeches became famous and proved an important rallying cry for a country which stood alone through the difficult years of 1940 and 1941. These early years saw the Battle of Britain and the Blitz – a period where invasion by Germany seemed likely.

“we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”

Speech in the House of Commons (4 June 1940)

“Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.”

Speech in the House of Commons, June 18, 1940

Churchill – 1940 during Air Raid

After the US entry into the war in 1942, the immediate crisis was over, and the tide of war began to turn. After the Battle of El Alamein, Churchill was able to tell the House of Commons.

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

From 1943 onwards Churchill spent more time managing the uneasy Allied coalition of Soviet Union, US and the UK. Churchill was involved in many aspects of the war, taking an interest in all areas, especially the build up to the D-Day landings in Normandy. Churchill also participated in conferences with Stalin and Roosevelt which helped shape the war and post-war settlement. With American money, Churchill played a role in avoiding the mistakes of the First World War as the Allies sought to avoid a harsh settlement and rebuild occupied Europe.

“In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Good Will.”

– Winston Churchill, The Second World War, Volume I: The Gathering Storm (1948)

It was Churchill who helped popularise the phrase ‘Iron Curtain’ after he saw the growing gulf between the Communist East and Western Europe.

“A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory…. From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.”

Speech at Fulton, Missouri on March 5, 1946

After winning the Second World War, Churchill was shocked to lose the 1945 general election to a resurgent Labour party. He was Leader of the Opposition from 1945-51.

But, under the Conservatives, he returned to power in the 1950 election – accepting much of the post-war consensus and the end of the British Empire. Churchill served as PM from 1951-55 before retiring from politics. In his last speech in the Commons in 1955-03-01, he ended with the words:

“The day may dawn when fair play, love for one’s fellow men, respect for justice and freedom, will enable tormented generations to march forth triumphant from the hideous epoch in which we have to dwell. Meanwhile, never flinch, never weary, never despair.”

Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 “for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values.” Towards the end of his life, Churchill became an accomplished artist, though he found the years of retirement difficult and suffered periods of depression.

Churchill died in his home at age 90, on the morning of Sunday 24 January 1965. His funeral was the largest state funeral in the world, up to that point in time.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “Biography Winston Churchill ”, Oxford, UK. www.biographyonline.net , 11th Feb 2013. Last updated 11th March 2017.

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: at Amazon.com

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: at Amazon.co.uk

Churchill: The Power of Words

Churchill: The Power of Words at Amazon

Reading the Best Biographies of All Time

Review of “Churchill: Walking with Destiny” by Andrew Roberts

29 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by Steve in Leaders / Politicians

≈ 33 Comments

Andrew Roberts , best biographies , biographies , book reviews , Winston Churchill

Andrew Roberts’s biography “ Churchill: Walking with Destiny ” was published in the fall of 2018 and quickly became a bestseller in both the US and UK. Roberts is an award-winning British author and journalist who has written more than a dozen books including “ Napoleon: A Life ” (which inspired a BBC tv series), “ The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War ” and “ House of Windsor .”

Within weeks of its release this book was hailed as one of the very best single-volume biographies of Winston Churchill ever published. Because this is the first biography of Churchill I’ve read, I am unable to offer an opinion on the matter. What is clear to me, however, is that Roberts’s biography of Churchill is magisterial, impressively thorough and keenly perceptive. It also benefits from the author’s access to personal papers and notes unavailable to previous biographers of Churchill.

Anyone familiar with Winston Churchill’s life will appreciate the difficulty inherent in compressing his remarkably eventful nine decades into a single volume. But Roberts seems to have accomplished the task with authority, clarity and precision. The book bursts with revealing observations and anecdotes and quickly proves a fruitful (if not effortless) reading experience.

Churchill is easy to lionize and while Roberts’s tome can occasionally feel like an instrument of praise, it is remarkably objective. The narrative critically embraces Churchill’s complexity and never fails to explore his personal faults as well as his professional mistakes. And the author’s attention to the lessons Churchill took from each misstep is as insightful as the description of the sins themselves.

The highlight of the biography for me: the final eighteen pages which are dedicated to the evaluation of Churchill’s life and legacy. Readers who may have overlooked or forgotten any of Churchill’s illustrious accomplishments or conspicuous flaws will find them carefully evaluated and fluently reviewed.

But in my experience, the very best biographies are found at the intersection of penetrating, insightful history and vibrant, captivating narrative. For all the well-deserved praise it has received, “Walking with Destiny” is superb as history but less successful as engaging literature .

Hardcore history enthusiasts might embrace a dry recitation of facts, but readers seeking a colorful exploration of Churchill’s life will find the narrative lamentably stiff. Anyone who has previously marveled at Churchill’s exceedingly interesting relationship with Franklin Roosevelt, for instance, will discover that much of the intangible magic surrounding their personal and professional connections is missing here.

Roberts does a remarkable job focusing on Churchill’s bubble – explaining what happened and often…but not always… why . But for readers new to Churchill and his surroundings this biography provides little context, almost no foreshadowing and only a fleeting sense of “the big picture.” As a result, this biography is most valuable to readers who are already familiar with Churchill’s life.

Overall, Andrew Roberts’s biography of Winston Churchill is a literary tale of two cities. Readers seeking a balanced, comprehensive and detailed history of Churchill’s life in a single volume will find this a biographical masterpiece. But anyone seeking to embrace this famously fascinating British politician through a narrative as captivating and colorful as Churchill himself are likely to find it somewhat disappointing.

Overall rating: 3¾ stars

33 thoughts on “Review of “Churchill: Walking with Destiny” by Andrew Roberts”

June 29, 2020 at 4:32 pm

Sorry you didn’t find it more engaging. I found Roberts to be one of the more engaging of Churchill biographers, but the challenge is that you need to include a LOT of details to both treat his career seriously and still capture his personality. I’m not sure you can fully do both in one volume.

This leaves Manchester, who had 3 volumes (with the assistance of Paul Reid in completing v.3) and shorter works. For instance, Walking With Destiny covers a single pivotal year of 1922, and includes all the personal details that make you feel you “know” him.

June 29, 2020 at 4:38 pm

I think you’re spot-on. And part of the challenge for me is probably that some of the better FDR biographies I read did a fantastic job of describing the interaction between Churchill and FDR during a relatively brief but dramatic period of time. Roberts had a tremendous amount of ground to cover and did so with a minimum of embellishment or flourish. So, with the benefit of hindsight, what I’m after as it relates to Churchill is the thoroughness Roberts offers with the narrative engagement I expect from Chernow, Jean Edward Smith, etc. I can only imagine how many pages / volumes that would entail!

June 29, 2020 at 5:38 pm

Get a hold of v.2 of Manchester (Alone) and just read the Prologue. You will not be disappointed.

June 29, 2020 at 5:44 pm

Thanks – I may have to do that tonight 🙂

July 10, 2020 at 1:50 pm

I’ve done a daily book review on the radio for more than 25 years. I’ve read a lot about a lot. The Manchester Churchill (esp. v. 2) are among the top five best books I’ve ever read on any subject! I enjoyed Roberts and it is the best one-volume on Churchill (as Chernow is the best one-volume on Washington), but the difference between the one and three volumes is where the author can wax more eloquent. After about page 400 of v. 3, Manchester’s work goes to Reid who is more workmanlike. In fact, i found Roberts’ account of the end of Churchill’s life better than Reid’s.

I first ran across Roberts in 1995 with his collection of essays called “Eminent Churchillians”. His skewering of Lord Mountbatten over the division of India and Pakistan was brilliant, as was his report on the Windsor’s attitude towards him and also the Tories who took quite a while to warm up to him. Roberts’ book, Masters and Commanders is brilliant as well. It just came out on Audible last month and explains a lot about the relationship between Churchill, FDR, Marshall and Alan Brooke. A kind of biography, but a revelation about the challenges in winning the War and establishing the necessary grand strategies to do so. Some of both of these books is included in Walking with Destiny, but these are areas that deserve more attention.

July 10, 2020 at 5:35 pm

A daily book review for 25 years? OMG, I feel so…slow and behind! I can’t wait to read the Manchester series and for what it’s worth, I think Chernow’s bio of Washington is one of the very best single volume biographies of a US president…period. Any chance you’ve read his biography of Napoleon?

July 11, 2020 at 3:13 pm

I’m working on it. His Churchill (and supporting cast) books are his best. Prior to Eminent Churchillians, he wrote The Holy Fox (on Lord Halifax). I’ve found that I rate his top books as follows:

1. Masters and Commanders

2. Churchill: Walking With Destiny (I also especially appreciated his report on how Churchill took over)–Sidenote (try “Dominion” by C. J. Sansom. A spy thriller set in a world where Churchill didn’t become Prime Minister.)

2. Eminent Churchillians

3. Napoleon (what I’ve gone through so far, I really like and I’ve learned a lot)

He also wrote The Storm of War, which I had high hopes for. Its a more traditional World War II history and I hoped it would be more of a book on how the Germans came to their grand strategy (in the manner of Masters and Commanders).

Additional Side Note: For a book on World War II Strategy, Weapons and Tactics, try The Second World Wars by Victor Davis Hanson.

Sorry for the firehose.

Your blogs have been very enjoyable over the years. My reports are only 3 minutes and you can take a deeper dive.

June 29, 2020 at 5:15 pm

I’m currently reading The Vile and the Splendid by Erik Larson. So far it’s an outstanding view of Churchill and the Battle of Britain. I checked and didn’t see a review from you. I would recommend it and would be interested in your thoughts on it.

June 29, 2020 at 5:21 pm

I’ve heard it’s excellent but it seems too narrowly focused for me at the moment. Nevertheless, I may have to break down and just read it “on the side” at some point and post my thoughts… 🙂

June 29, 2020 at 5:31 pm

Larson’s books are excellent and – as you noted – very narrowly focused. I read Dead Wake about the Lusitania and it made me go back to read his prior books on William Dodd’s time in Germany during the rise of Hitler and The Devil in the White City. Splendid and Vile is up next in my queue (after finishing the recent book on TR and Morgan).

June 29, 2020 at 5:53 pm

My son had to read Dead Wake for school and really enjoyed it. This is the same son who doesn’t typically enjoy reading anything longer than a newspaper article but who was also really excited by Candice Millard’s “River of Doubt.” So Larson’s book on

Oddly enough I haven’t heard anything about Berfield’s book although the description suggests it could be remarkably interesting.

And now that I’ve read Larson’s “Note to Readers” and first few pages of Splendid and Vile, I can tell I’m going to have to start multi-tasking and reading more than one thing at a time!

June 29, 2020 at 6:16 pm

Interesting you mention Ms. Millard as I removed a comment from my note about their similar writing styles and projects.

Dr. Berfield’s book is interesting, but I would not put it at ‘remarkably interesting.’ It is essentially a tale at the intersection of labor, capital, and government drawn from the end of the Gilded Age. Reading some of the quotes and passages makes one realize similar problems are still with us. I quoted a section to my post-college daughter, then asked: 1895 or 2020? [In the WSJ, James Grant celebrates the author’s fine writing, but is not keen on her premise.]

The book and your review American Financier encouraged me to seek out a copy for followup. It will go well with the Carnegie bio I recently acquired. Your review was not very positive, but it is probably the best biography out there. Although I may break down and get a paperback of Chernow’s House of Morgan (hardcover copies are priced through the roof).

July 1, 2020 at 9:05 am

Both Larson & Millard are great narrative nonfiction writers. “The River of Doubt” was an amazing book that really nailed TR the person while focusing on an incredible story within his long life. “The Devil in the White City” is still one of my favorite books of all time. I recommend it to anyone who claims they don’t like history or nonfiction books.

While we’re on the topic of Churchill, I’m wondering if anyone has read Millard’s book “Hero of the Empire” about him.

July 1, 2020 at 9:21 am

I did and it was a great narrative as one would expect. After reading Churchill’s accounts of his escape in London to Ladysmith and My Early Life, it was good to see a biographer tackle the journey. The context she provides about life in the British Army during the late 19th century and Churchill’s personality are wonderful.

June 29, 2020 at 5:19 pm

I read Manchester’s 3 volumes on Churchill a few years ago. It was about 3,000 pages total and covered a lot of details over his entire life. I’m not sure I will read this new biography at this time, since I got my fill of Churchill already.

June 29, 2020 at 5:23 pm

I’m curious what you thought of Manchester – the series is sitting in front of me *begging* to be read although I’ll probably wait a bit before re-visiting Churchill given the large number of folks with potentially great biographies.

June 29, 2020 at 5:39 pm

Per my note above, just pick up v.2 and read the Prologue. Nothing else. Just the Prologue.

July 1, 2020 at 12:18 pm

I was happy to see your review of this book, because I’m currently reading it! I’m on page 700-and-something. It’s the first Churchill biography I’ve read (though like you, I’ve previously encountered him in an FDR bio and other books). I actually think it does a great job of revealing Churchill’s wit and personality. But I don’t have other bios to compare it to.

July 2, 2020 at 6:49 am

Steve – If you’re looking for narrative flourish, then look no further than William Manchester’s 3 volume set on Churchill and his magisterial biography of Douglas MacArthur, ‘American Caesar’. The third volume of his set on Churchill lacks the same engaged narrative as the first two volumes as he was unable to fully complete the volume.

On another note – I’m currently completing Manning Marable’s Pulitzer Prize winning biography on Malcolm X. This book is quite good and offers a lot of insight into the 1950-1960s Civil Rights movement as well as the internal struggles of the Nation of Islam. You may find this book interesting as well.

July 2, 2020 at 6:53 am

Your Machester insight is helpful – thanks! And I do have Marable’s bio of Malcolm X on my “master master list” but until now hadn’t heard from anyone who has actually read it so I’m glad to hear it holds promise!

July 2, 2020 at 7:18 am

I will second Jared’s note on Marable’s Malcolm X. It is controversial as it contradicts certain elements/themes of Malcolm’s autobiography. Taylor Branch’s works on MLK still hold the mantle for the civil right narrative in my opinion. Malcolm X illustrates the movement wasn’t necessarily homogeneous.

August 22, 2020 at 12:57 pm

Marable’s book is pretty good. I understand that Malcolm’s family hated it but I thought it was a very balanced look at someone who remains extremely controversial. And yeah Taylor Branch’s books (especially Parting the Waters) are a must-read.

July 24, 2020 at 10:44 pm

Steve, you are a continued source of wisdom and inspiration for all of us who follow your blog. I share your assessment of Roberts’ Churchill biography. I recently read his Napoleon biography (which I enjoyed thoroughly) and will be curious to read your review when you get around to it.

I am currently reading Richard Norton Smith’s biography on Thomas Dewey and cannot put it down. Dewey is a fascinating figure and I am surprised that he has faded into obscurity. I realize you have quite the list of follow up books, but it is a good read, particularly if you want to read about crime in New York during the 1930’s.

Thanks for everything you do. Stay safe and keep up the good work!

July 25, 2020 at 4:55 am

Ray, I appreciate your note and am intrigued by his Napoleon biography (to say the least). Dewey has, indeed, faded into the background and other than a bridge or a highway (I can’t even remember which) I’m not sure anyone born in the last two decades has a meaningful chance of recognizing his name. But he, like dozens of others I ran into reading about the presidents, were huge figures in their time…and quite interesting as you point out. I don’t believe I have Dewey on my master sheet of people to read about, and I hadn’t ever put two and two together to conclude that RNS’s bio of him would be worthwhile – so thanks for making the point! I enjoyed reading Caro’s “The Power Broker” so some of Dewey’s life will be familiar and those were certainly fascinating times!

July 26, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Humbly disagree. I am not sure what you mean by this book being good literature. The story is engaging and well written. It is not just a listing of facts. It does everything a good biography should do. I think it does a biography better than Washington’s Chernow (which is still great, personally 4 1/2 stars), it presents the facts without holding the readers hand. Washington by Chernow repeatedly analyzes its subject might have thought, might have feeled, or gives judgement on the authors own feeling of a matter. That might make it a more digestible read but it doesn’t let the readers connect the dots for themselves and come to their own conclusions. I agree with many readers that have read dozens of Churchill biographies, that is the best single volume on Churchill written. 5 stars.

July 26, 2020 at 6:47 pm

The wonderful thing about books (not unlike flavors of ice cream or boxed chocolates) is that different people can take away different things from the same experience. In this particular case I realize I’m swimming against the tide somewhat…but Roberts’s biography of Churchill was too antiseptic for me to consider “perfect” (5 stars). The ultimate test of a great biography for me is whether I can resist putting it down. In this case I found that too easy too often. Loved it as history but only partially satisfying as a way of seeing the world through Churchill’s eyes and becoming engrossed in his life.

July 27, 2020 at 12:23 pm

Sounds good. That’s what I look for when I rate biographies too. Information dense but reading the book feels like a window into their world. By the end of the book, it feels like I have known the person. Like you said people take away different experiences from books. It might be how they are viewing life at that moment or their current state of mind: are they are happy or depressed? I feel; that really impacts my perspective or enjoyment of a book. For example, I was reading a biography which I was really enjoying didn’t make me “not want to put it down.” I felt like I had to force myself to keep reading. I took a break from it and a couple of years later I picked it up again and then read it every day until I finished it.

August 2, 2020 at 8:46 am

This was my first book on Churchill, and it was everything I had hoped it would be, fully realizing that no single volume is going to capture the essence of such a giant in history. I have a few supplemental books to fill in the gaps, including Jon Meacham’s “Franklin and Winston”, and I’ve already read read Candice Millard’s “Hero of the Empire.” I read this ahead of a meet-and-greet with Roberts at the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, near where I live. So the book was part of a larger experience for me.

August 9, 2020 at 10:39 am

I read Robert’s bio of Napolean as a light-reading break between reading bios of the US presidents. I enjoyed it a lot, but found it a bit dry in places. I didn’t know much about Napolean to start, so that also may have colored my experience. I haven’t read his Churchill book yet, but I heard on NPR that Roberts got access to new archives, some of which revealed more private thoughts about Churchill’s true feelings regarding the alliance with the US, and not all of it was rosy.

Like many others here, I loved Manchester’s trio on Churchill. But having read your site in detail for over 3 years, I actually think you’ll enjoy the first volume tremendously. It covers his early life and sets the foundation for the series.

As an American, I never fully got the gist of the English infatuation with their royalty, but Manchester’s presentation gave me a different perspective on this, and now I think I understand it. Manchester explores Victorian culture and Churchill’s place in it, so later references to Churchill’s being a “man of a different era” really resonates.

As others have suggested, I believe the third book isn’t as lofty as the first two, since Manchester died before it really got going (he had plenty of notes and research prepared). I found it was a solid effort, if not quite as eloquent.

The trio is a broad history, with plenty of context, and Manchester does a fine job of building narrative and telling a great story. By the end of the series, you feel as though you’ve just been through an epic adventure.

August 18, 2020 at 8:11 pm

I didn’t read all the comments above, but my vote for the best biographies of Churchill would be the first two (but not the third) volume of William Manchester’s efforts. Volume II, especially, is one of my favorite books. (I have read it several times as it has an inspirational message.) Then I would switch to Max Hasting’s “Winston’s War” for a continuation of the tale. It does an excellent job of detailing Churchill’s relationship with FDR–not as harmonious as seen at the time (and later). Honorable mention would go to Roy Jenkins’ more than fair single volume given that Mr. Jenkins was a member of the Labour Party.

I enjoyed Mr. Robert’s book, but I did think he went a bit overboard in defending some of Churchill’s dubious decisions. For example, most historians fault WSC for sending troops to aid Greece when the Germans invaded. The mission was doomed from the start. Mr. Robert’s, although acknowledging the disaster, claims it delayed the German invasion of Russia. Most historians believe the delay was caused by bad weather and equipment shortages.

December 6, 2020 at 9:41 pm

Thanks again for your blog. I visit it regularly and have used your reviews to guide my own reading of US presidents.

While you are now on to biographies, do you have any of Bismarck in your list? I just finished a book on the Franco-Prussian War, and wanted to learn more about the key players.

If anyone else here has any ideas for a good bio on Bismarck, please let me know.

Thanks again!

December 7, 2020 at 5:58 am

Interesting question…and no, I don’t have a Bismarck bio on any of my lists (published, sticky-note for further follow-up, etc.). I’ll be interested to see if anyone posts a comment with a suggestion-

June 12, 2021 at 8:22 am

I read a small biography on Bismarck written by AJP Taylor (<300 pages). Written brilliantly (as expected), provided great information, yet was too short for such a massive historical character. I imagine Christopher Clark's 'Iron Kingdom' on the rise and fall of Prussia from 1600-1947 would cover Bismarck's rule is great detail. Happy hunting!

On another note, I'm reading Kenneth Whyte's new book 'The Sack of Detroit: GM and the End of American Enterprise'. After reading his book on Herbert Hoover, I jumped at the chance to read this new release. Whyte writes very well. Book is combination history of the automobile industry (GM in particular) and the rise of consumer protection (through a mini biography on Ralph Nader). About 1/3 thru…

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At Home With

A Historian Makes Peace With Her Own History

It took Doris Kearns Goodwin a while to adjust to leaving the Concord, Mass., farmhouse she shared with her husband. But Boston has its compensations.

At Home With Doris Kearns Goodwin

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By Joanne Kaufman

After Doris Kearns Goodwin’s husband died nearly six years ago, the couple’s home, a 19th-century farmhouse in Concord, Mass., no longer felt right.

“We were there for 20 years,” said Ms. Kearns Goodwin, 81, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian whose new book, “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s,” will be published April 16.

“It was a house we had loved, and a house that in many ways we had built together,” she continued, referring to assorted refinements, including the three-car garage that became a library and the addition of a tower inspired by her husband’s fascination with Galileo.

There was a gently gurgling fountain in the backyard, a curved wooden bench, abundant flowering plants and a pond populated with koi. Inside were books — some 10,000 of them — arranged by category and subject matter, and dispersed to shelves in almost every room. “All that we loved was there,” Ms. Kearns Goodwin said.

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s hands holding letters and other documents she used as sources for her new book.

Suddenly, though, the house felt too big. And everywhere she turned she saw her husband of 42 years, Richard N. Goodwin , the brilliant, rumpled Zelig-like figure who, in his 20s, was a special assistant to President John F. Kennedy and forged an enduring friendship with Jackie Kennedy and, in his 30s, was a speechwriter and adviser for President Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy. “Mr. Goodwin called himself a voice of the 1960s, and with justification,” noted his obituary in The New York Times.

“One of my sons lives in Concord, and knowing how hard it was for me, came to stay, and brought my two granddaughters,” Ms. Kearns Goodwin said. “But I just missed Dick too much, so I decided to put the house on the market.”

Doris Kearns Goodwin, 81

Occupation: Historian, biographer

Speaking volumes: “I made so many mistakes when I was choosing what books to give away. I kept a lot of biographies, but there are so many I missed. Now I keep saying, ‘Where’s that book?’”

Moving to nearby Boston was an easy call. “I had actually wanted to move to the city when Dick and I got married,” she said. “I grew up on Long Island and loved New York. Concord was our great compromise.”

The youngest of her three sons, Joe, had settled with his family in a high-rise condominium, “so I knew the building and loved it,” said Ms. Kearns Goodwin, who bought a three-bedroom apartment with panoramic views of Beantown two floors below her son in 2019. There she wrote “An Unfinished Love Story,” a braiding of memoir, biography and history.

Ms. Kearns Goodwin’s primary sources were the 300 (and counting) boxes of letters, postcards, documents, diaries, newspaper clippings, photos and other ephemera that Dick Goodwin amassed during the middle years of the 20th century, unceremoniously shoved into storage units, basements and a barn, and then, more than 50 years later, retrieved cache by cache and shared with his very eager wife.

“I was really excited to see them, just as a historian. They had all the elements of what you want in an archive,” Ms. Kearns Goodwin said. “And they were from the ’60s, the decade I really wanted to know more about.”

A cancer diagnosis and the subsequent debilitating — futile — treatment got in the way of Mr. Goodwin’s plans to chronicle those turbulent times. After his death, Ms. Kearns Goodwin took up the project.

She had the source material, but she also needed the setting: a recreation of her Concord study in her new condo. The mise en scène included a nicely worn blue leather sofa, a low chestnut table with plenty of room for books, a side table and the rug that Ms. Kearns Goodwin brought back from Morocco when she attended the 40th anniversary of the Casablanca Conference, a 1943 meeting between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

“It was the only way I could work,” Ms. Kearns Goodwin said. “It was like my talisman, in a certain sense. To have my little nook, I could feel I was still in Concord, though I was in a different room in a different building.”

Her fans will likely be familiar with the bookcase behind the sofa; it’s visible when she is interviewed from home. She consistently scores a 10 on Room Rater , at least in part because she decorously refrains from displaying her own publications.

Other pieces from the Concord house are scattered around the apartment — among them, several Persian rugs and an octagonal Indian coffee table. The bookcase that was in her old foyer sits in the condo’s entryway. Now, as then, it contains first editions and a miniature reproduction of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington and Concord, on the North Bridge. Sometimes her 5-year-old grandson plays with the toy soldiers, Ms. Kearns Goodwin said, as she adjusted the orientation of the tiny bridge.

The table from Mr. Goodwin’s study, now a display space for family photos, sits near the large windows in the living room. Nearby, a specially made plinth holds a replica of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s life-size bust of Abraham Lincoln, a sculpture she received when she won the 2006 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize for her book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.”

Framed photos of Ms. Kearns Goodwin with President Johnson and President Obama, and of Mr. Goodwin with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, hang on a wall in the entryway. Visitors should allow themselves extra time to gape and to stutter out frequently asked questions. Extra credit to those who can act convincingly blasé when Ms. Kearns Goodwin hands them the engraved Cartier cuff links that Jackie gave Mr. Goodwin as a gift, or when she points out the baseball autographed by Don Larsen , who pitched the first perfect game in postseason history in the fall of 1956.

Books are everywhere: on tables, on sculptural vertical stands and in bookcases custom-made to look like the shelves in Concord.

When Ms. Kearns Goodwin began the process of moving out of her house, culling the collection — 5,000 volumes had to go — became a sad obsession. Fortunately, many found a new home at the Concord Free Public Library in a designated room: the Goodwin Forum. “That meant that the books, my buddies, would still be around,” she said.

For two years after she moved to Boston, she compulsively — one might say masochistically — replayed the video that was commissioned (complete with meditative piano accompaniment) to sell her house. “I don’t know what I was doing to myself,” she said ruefully. “I’d watch and start sobbing. And each time I went back to Concord I felt sad.”

Since then, she has befriended several residents of the building, to say nothing of the valet, the doormen and the concierge. “They’re all my buddies,” said Ms. Kearns Goodwin, who, you feel pretty certain, makes a new buddy or three on an elevator ride from her apartment to the lobby.

When she lived in Concord, it was, frankly, a schlep to come into Boston to go to the symphony or the theater. “Now I can just decide at the last minute to go,” she said. “It’s definitely a different phase of my life.”

It’s been a while since she has watched the video. And she no longer feels undone when she visits Concord. That unhappiness, as Ms. Kearns Goodwin herself might say, is history.

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The State of Real Estate

Whether you’re renting, buying or selling, here’s a look at real estate trends..

Hiring a local to keep an eye on your weekend house can give you peace of mind and keep small problems from becoming big headaches.

Are you a second-home person? A place outside the city might sound like heaven , but here are some things you should consider first.

The pandemic upset a delicate balance of part-time and full-time residents in a community in the Poconos, sparking a debate over short-term rentals .

After a lifetime of seeking out tiny spaces, she finally found a keeper : a former barbershop in an old mill village in North Carolina.

A lot of change is happening in the housing market. Here’s the outlook .

With a landmark legal settlement poised to upend a decades-old norm that has dictated who pays real estate agents and how much, economists, agents and lenders are beginning to worry that the burden could now be on first-time home buyers .

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COMMENTS

Is This the Best One-Volume Biography of Churchill Yet Written?
Walking With Destiny. By Andrew Roberts. Illustrated. 1,105 pp. Viking. $40. In April 1955, on the final weekend before he left office for the last time, Winston Churchill had the vast canvas of ...
The best books on Winston Churchill and which book to start with
In this vivid biography, #1 bestselling historian Max Hastings tells the story of how Churchill led a nation through its darkest hour. A moving, dramatic narrative of crisis and fortitude, Hastings offers one of the finest biographies of one of Britain's finest men. When Churchill took power as Prime Minister in 1940, it… show more.
Paul Addison's top 10 books on Churchill
Political biography was a gentlemanly affair of delving into one or two archives until Martin Gilbert came on the scene. ... The competition for the title of best one volume life of Churchill is ...
The best books on Winston Churchill
Interview by Benedict King. by Richard Toye. 1 My Early Life 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill. 2 Churchill and the Islamic World: Orientalism, Empire and Diplomacy in the Middle East by Warren Dockter. 3 In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War by David Reynolds.
Discover the 9 Best Winston Churchill Books to Read Now
It offers a vivid and engaging account of his upbringing, education, and adventures as a young man, including his service in the British Army and his travels throughout the world. My Early Life: A Roving Commission is a charming and entertaining book, full of anecdotes and stories from Churchill's early years.
The 10 Best Books By and About Winston Churchill
Here are the 10 best books by and about Winston Churchill. Books By Churchill. The Gathering Storm. By Winston S. Churchill. Churchill's two identities as wartime Prime Minister and historian came together in his six-volume history, The Second World War. ... In his biography, historian John Lukacs provides a full portrait of Churchill and a ...
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill (born November 30, 1874, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England—died January 24, 1965, London) British statesman, orator, and author who as prime minister (1940-45, 1951-55) rallied the British people during World War II and led his country from the brink of defeat to victory. After a sensational rise to prominence in ...
Is this the best biography of Winston Churchill ever written?
Simon Heffer reviews Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts. It is brave of Andrew Roberts, before embarking on this 1,000-page biography of the man routinely described as the greatest ...
Churchill by Andrew Roberts: 9781101981009
About Churchill. NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One of The Wall Street Journal's Ten Best Books of 2018 One of The Economist's Best Books of 2018 One of The New York Times's Notable Books of 2018 "Unarguably the best single-volume biography of Churchill . . . A brilliant feat of storytelling, monumental in scope, yet put together with tenderness for a man who had always believed that he ...
Churchill: A Study in Greatness by Geoffrey Best
In A Study in Greatness , one of Britain's most. distinguished historians makes sense of this extraordinary man, and his long, controversial, colorful, contradictory and heroic career. Geoffrey Best illuminates both his strengths and his weaknesses, looking past the many received versions of Churchill, in a biography that balances the private ...
Winston S. Churchill
Winston Churchill, prime minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, he led the country through World War II, and from 1951 to 1955. He is considered one of the best-known, and some say one of ...
Churchill: A Biography by Jenkins, Roy
Winston Churchill was querulous, childish, self-indulgent, and difficult, writes English historian Roy Jenkins. But he was also brilliant, tenacious, and capable--in short, "the greatest human being ever to occupy 10 Downing Street." Jenkins's book stands as the best single-volume biography of Churchill in recent years.
Official Biography
Martin Gilbert, appointed official biographer after Randolph's death in 1968, now begins an almost day by day chronology of Churchill's life, concentrating on the first perilous years of World War I. We begin with Churchill leading the Admiralty in early battles with the German fleet, moving to the epic failure of the Dardanelles and ...
Winston Churchill
The official biography, Winston S. Churchill, ... Best Known For: Winston Churchill was a British military leader and statesman. Twice named prime minister of Great Britain, he helped to defeat ...
20 Best Books on Churchill (2022 Review)
A complete narration of all the works is an exhaustive topic; however, books on this great personality are mentioned below: 1. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Visions of Glory 1874-1932. Check Price on Amazon. The Last Lion is a three part series based on the complete life of Sir Winston Churchill.
The Books of Sir Winston Churchill
A nearly complete, and enormous compilation of Churchill's speeches from his maiden political speech (Bath, 26 July 1897) through 1963 (accepting Honorary American Citizenship). Containing 9,000 pages, this work is now quite scarce and desirable. The only reprint was an abridged 8vol paperback in 1983.
Churchill: A Biography
This is far and away Churchill's best one-volume biography."— Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. "This is a splendid addition to Churchillian lore, a chronicle full of revealing personal anecdotes, delightful wartime vignettes, and fascinating new insights into the critical 1939-1945 years."—
11 Best Books On Winston Churchill
The Splendid And The Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz - Erik Larson. The summer of 1940 was a period in British history known as 'the Blitz'. In an effort to drain British war efforts and pummel morale to the point of surrender, the German Luftwaffe's constant bombing raids over British cities have gone down in infamy as the country's 'darkest hour'.
The Official Biography of Winston Churchill
The first volume of Winston S. Churchill was published in 1966, the year after Sir Winston died. After Randolph's death in 1968 Martin Gilbert, who had joined Randolph as a research assistant in 1962, was appointed by the Churchill family to be the official biographer. Sir Martin died in 2015 and since that time his former assistant, Dr Larry ...
What was Churchill's best seller?
Q: We are asked if My Early Life, Churchill's classic (and regrettably sole) autobiography, first published in 1930 and in print over most of the near-ninety years since, is his best selling work.An interesting question, which we referred to Churchill bibliographer Ronald Cohen. A: While I don't retain anything like a running total of copies sold, I do have pretty comprehensive records of ...
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill [a] (30 November 1874 - 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955. Apart from two years between 1922 and 1924, he was a Member of ...
Winston Churchill Biography
Winston Churchill Biography. Sir Winston Churchill (30 November 1874 - 24 January 1965) was a British politician and author, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Churchill was famous for his stubborn resistance to Hitler during the darkest hours of the Second World War.
Review of "Churchill: Walking with Destiny" by Andrew Roberts
Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts 1,152 pages Viking Published: October 2018. Andrew Roberts's biography "Churchill: Walking with Destiny" was published in the fall of 2018 and quickly became a bestseller in both the US and UK. Roberts is an award-winning British author and journalist who has written more than a dozen books including "Napoleon: A Life" (which inspired ...
Shania Twain St. John's Tickets, Churchill Park Aug 16, 2024
Shania Twain is coming to Churchill Park in St. John's on Aug 16, 2024. Find tickets and get exclusive concert information, all at Bandsintown. ... Shania Twain Biography. ... Get Good" and "Swinging with My Eyes Closed." Now was released in September 2017, debuting at number one on Billboard's Top 200 and Country Albums charts.
Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin on Her New Home and Book
April 9, 2024, 5:02 a.m. ET. After Doris Kearns Goodwin's husband died nearly six years ago, the couple's home, a 19th-century farmhouse in Concord, Mass., no longer felt right. "We were ...

Paul Addison's top 10 books on Churchill

1 My Early Life by Winston Churchill

2. Churchill: Four Faces and the Man (Various)

3. In Search of Churchill by Martin Gilbert

4. Winston Churchill: His Life as a Painter by Mary Soames

5. Churchill and Secret Service by David Stafford

6. Man of the Century: Winston Churchill and his Legend since 1945 by John Ramsden

7. In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War by David Reynolds

8. Churchill: The End of Glory by John Charmley

9. The Iron Curtain: Churchill, America and the Origins of the Cold War by Fraser J Harbutt

10. Churchill by Roy Jenkins; Churchill: A Study in Greatness by Geoffrey Best

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History Books » Historical Figures

Winston Churchill: A Life in the News by Richard Toye

My Early Life 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill

Churchill and the Islamic World: Orientalism, Empire and Diplomacy in the Middle East by Warren Dockter

In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War by David Reynolds

Churchill and the Dardanelles by Christopher M Bell

Winston Churchill As I Knew Him by Violet Bonham Carter

1 My Early Life 1874-1904 by Winston Churchill

The 10 Best Books By and About Winston Churchill

The Gathering Storm

The Hinge of Fate

Triumph and Tragedy

The Birth of Britain

My Early Life

Churchill: Walking With Destiny

Churchill Style

Winston's War

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20 Best Books on Churchill (2022 Review)

Best Books on Churchill: Our Top 20 Picks

1. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Visions of Glory 1874-1932

2. Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill

3. Churchill: Walking with Destiny

4. The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History

5. Churchill: A Life

6. The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965

7. The Gathering Storm, 1948 (Winston S. Churchill The Second World Wa Book 1)

8. Churchill’s Trial: Winston Churchill and the Salvation of Free Government