Synopses & Reviews
Winston Churchill has rightly been voted the greatest Briton. His nine decades spanned from the era of cavalry charges to the nuclear age, and he was active in both. He had a keen historical perspective and analytical mind, and in World War II he was quick to oppose Hitler and see the importance of US involvement, and hence played a seminal part in ensuring the survival of not only Britain but arguably Western democracy itself. That is not to say he was without fault—the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, the creation of Iraq in 1921, his blind spot over India—all these contributed to a reputation for unreliability that dogged much of his public life. But his seven decades in the public spotlight, and in politics show that Winston Churchill deserves the stature that posterity has given him. Few characters in history have written as much as Churchill, and his writings and the photographic record happily provide the opportunity to put together a unique illustrated portrait of this remarkable man, featuring revealing facsimiles of his personal letters, documents, and speeches which draw attention to the unforgettable power of his oratory, which added a heroic dimension to a leader who was undoubtedly a true statesman.
Synopsis
A richly visual examination of the most revered Briton in history, from his birth at Blenheim Palace, to his inspirational wartime leadership, to his final years as a grand old man of world politics.
Winston Churchill, whose nine decades spanned the early era of cavalry charges to the nuclear age, has been voted the greatest Briton. With his keen historical perspective and analytical mind, he was quick to oppose Hitler and thus played a seminal part in ensuring the survival of Britain--and arguably Western democracy itself. Churchill had his disasters and blind spots (the Gallipoli campaign, the creation of Iraq, India), but his achievements assure his place in posterity. This illustrated portrait, complete with 160 painstakingly researched photographs, artworks, speeches, and letters sourced from the family archives at Cambridge, provides insight into every facet of this remarkable man: the outspoken public figure, the powerful orator, the loving husband and father, the enthusiastic painter, and even the sportsman.
About the Author
Christopher Catherwood is a leading Churchill scholar. He is Emeritus Archives By-Fellow of Churchill College Cambridge, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and a supervisor at Homerton College, Cambridge. He has written many books and articles including Winston's Folly, His Finest Hour - A Brief Life of Winston Churchill, A Brief History of the Middle East, The Balkans in WWII, and Winston Churchill: The Flawed Genius.