Churchill

A Hanukkah gift from my mother, and a splendid one. You will know from the first sentence whether this is the book for you: "Of all the towering figures of the twentieth century, both good and evil, Winston Churchill was the most valuable to humanity, and also the most likable."

Johnson presents many of my favorite Churchillian moments, and uncovers new ones as well. One fabulous quote I did not know was a dinner party bon mot: "We are all worms. But I really think that I am a glow worm."

If you are in God's good favor you had a great history teacher who knew and loved his subject and transferred that enthusiasm to you. Paul Johnson would have been that kind of teacher, and this little book on Churchill proves why.

This is the first Johnson book I've read (although I own a few, and have more on my wishlist) and what a shame that it's taken me so long to read one! He has an obvious love of his subject, but that does not preclude him from criticizing his hero (e.g. Churchill's complete dismissal of defense issues during the run-up to WWII when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer). Also, Johnson is branded an "conservative" historian by many, but he does not use this book to hammer Churchill on his lifelong support of the show more ever-growing British welfare state that he helped to construct.

As others have mentioned, even thought this is a short book, Johnson does not just give a chronological survey of Churchill's life. His analysis on the 10 factors that made Churchill indispensable to the WWII victory effort are very convincing.

And lastly, how can you not love a book about a man so quoteable? Two of my favorites:
"Facts are better than dreams."
"If Hitler invaded Hell, at least I would ensure that in the House of Commons I made a favourable reference to the Devil." show less

Under 200 pages, this is a summary and and an analysis of Churchill's life by a fairly well known English historian. That Churchill was a super-achiever is clear. He was also probably very hard to put up with in real life, like many very famous and formidable people. Since the author is an Englishman, he occasionally assumes an understanding of English politics and a knowledge of recent English history that I lack. Even if you have read about Churchill elsewhere, as I have, it would be perfectly reasonable to get another perspective on his life, and this one is a perfectly good one. There is one completely, to me, incomprehensible sentence that is yet interesting, "A parliamentarian to the very roots of his political personality, he show more also stressed the importance of the Strasbourg parliament as opposed to the Brussels bureaucracy." As with Christopher Hitchens, Winston Churchill is too often credited with profoundly humorous sallies that, when recounted, don't seem funny at all. show less

Not the best biography of Churchill, but a good hors d'oeuvre that doesn't take much time to read, is well-written, and is enjoyable and informative. Johnson's summation on why Churchill was great/important is worth the read.

Very short biography—a lot of telling rather than showing—but Churchill is interesting enough that telling can be punchy. Not only was Churchill a master of words, he inspired others, e.g., one comment on his history of World War I was that “Winston has written an enormous book about himself and called it The World Crisis.” Churchill had a vast energy and an ability to come back from defeats that would impress anyone. He changed parties six times, but was perfectly faithful to his wife, which in my mind is the right way to go about it. When the voters kicked him out immediately after WWII ended, his wife commented that it might be a blessing in disguise (because he’d been working himself to death), but Churchill responded show more “It appears to be very effectively disguised.” show less

Paul Johnson is one of my favorite writer/historians. He has the ability to present his material in a manner that is both intelligent and readable. This was a refreshing and short biography of Churchill focusing on his political career.

It is obvious from the beginning that Johnson is a devotee, and he mentions several times that he actually met and spoke with him, but still in all the book is fairly objective. I found the chapter where he discusses Churchill's immense power held during WWII. He poses the question "Did Churchill save Britain?" and the presents 10 reasons why he would answer in the affirmative. The book is worth reading for that chapter alone.

I was fascinated to read that Churchill stood for Parliament under six show more different 'labels': Conservative, Liberal, Coalition, Constitutionalist, Unionist, and National Conservative. I knew about his service as a journalist, 1st Sea Lord, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, but some other achievements were new to me.

And I heartily approve of his answer to the question: "To what do you attribute your success in life?"

Without pause or hesitation he replied: "Conservation of energy. Never stand up when you can sit down. Never sit down when you can lie down."

This is a well-written and researched biography touching on the high points of the life of a great statesman. It can stand alone or serve as the jumping off point for more in-depth studies. show less

Painfully concise. This was a page-turner about the up and down (mostly up) career of an amazing statesman and workaholic. I got tired just reading about the guy, and am certainly now motivated to read a more thorough biography and/or one of Winnie's many door-stop works.