"[Keegan is] the best military historian of the world."—Tom Clancy When today’s world leaders require inspiration and strength in times of crisis, they often invoke Winston Churchill. The son of a member of Parliament, Churchill, a poor academic student, wanted to be a solider early in life. At this he succeeded brilliantly, fighting fearlessly on the frontiers of the British Empire but eventually being captured. His escape from a South African prison camp led him to national fame and catapulted him into a life of politics. The eminent historian John Keegan charts Churchill's career, examining his steadfast leadership during the catastrophic events of World War II while England was dangerously poised on the brink of collapse. With wonderful eloquence, Keegan illuminates Churchill's incredible strength during this crucial moment in history and his unshakable belief that democracy would always prevail. Keegan looks at Churchill's speeches, which are some of the greatest examples of English oratory, and identifies his ability to communicate his own idea of an English past as the source of Churchill's greatness. He also sheds light on the political climate of Churchill's time. The result is an insightful, sensitive portrait of Churchill, the war leader, and Churchill, the man.
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"Mr. Keegan did a good job IMHO, but he seems to me more of a historian than a great biographer... I loved this book because it's an acceptable "short version" of W. Churchill's life... for a first timer interested in this biography I recommend it, no doubt."
— Othon (4 out of 5 stars)
" This reads more like a history book than a biography. It would've been richer if more personal. Nonetheless an interesting history! "
— sima, 2/18/2014" As a short get-to-know-you bio, it's deftly handled, and opens with a wonderful introductory essay about Churchill's greatness. That said, I find it gives short-shrift to his post-war life and career, which I personally find as fascinating as his early life. Still, in something this short, I suppose you can't ask for everything...but I do nonetheless. "
— Daniel, 2/7/2014" Did not contain all that I had heard about Churchill as he was growing up. It is a short quick read of a brilliant man who was at the right place at the right times. "
— James, 2/2/2014" This is a fine introductory biography, but it really doesn't serve the man justice. Churchill, love him or hate him. is too complex a personality to adequately summarize in a 200 page biography. "
— Tom, 1/15/2014" Good short biography. A good read to get to know WC without reading those huge volumes the Brits like to write. "
— Yago, 1/10/2014" I love history and biographies but don't often read them. I appreciated this one because it was short, well-documented and showed both his military and political careers as well as his personal life. "
— Shelly, 11/24/2013" The Shelf: Accepted, until further notice. "
— London, 10/28/2013" a concise and insightful look into the life of a man who changed the course of history. Well written pocket guide if you will. "
— Kai, 8/4/2013" Short, very effective summary of Churchill's career. "
— Andrew, 7/13/2013" Total boss. "
— Greg, 6/28/2013" A good, short biography. "
— Collin, 4/5/2013John Keegan is the defense editor of the Daily Telegraph (London) and Britain’s foremost military historian. He is the author of many bestselling books, including The First World War, Intelligence in War, and The Battle for History. He lives in Wiltshire, England.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.