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Churchill and War

By Geoffrey Best

(4)

| Hardcover | 9781852854645

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Book Description

Winston Churchill saved Britain and Europe by his incomparable leadership in the Second World War. His involvement in war, however, stretched over a far longer period and was one of the main themes of his long life. Cavalryman at Omdurman, infantry colonel in the trenches, First Lord of the AdmiraltContinue

Critics

The Marlborough touch

Geoffrey Best has written a formidably good book about Churchill’s military core. He begins with the hussar sub- altern, as well as the great Duke of Marlborough his ancestor, before he goes near politics. He reconstructs the standards of conduct tha ... (read full critics)

spectator published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

The Marlborough touch

Geoffrey Best has written a formidably good book about Churchill’s military core. He begins with the hussar sub- altern, as well as the great Duke of Marlborough his ancestor, before he goes near politics. He reconstructs the standards of conduct tha ... (read full critics)

spectator published on Mon, 13 Sep 2010

1 Review

The great Churchill.
In a country where earnestness is shunned and one is not expected to be too passionate about anything, he stood tall and alone in being this leader so full of energy the world then and since has few equals. I went on to listen to some of his war time speeches, which brough ... (continue)

The great Churchill.
In a country where earnestness is shunned and one is not expected to be too passionate about anything, he stood tall and alone in being this leader so full of energy the world then and since has few equals. I went on to listen to some of his war time speeches, which brought to mind what the author mentioned, what might have been the most spectacular and important achievement of his: to rally the people of Britain in the face of looming invasion, that, maybe not forgetting the love for peace, the Britons found their honour and courage, and pour their heart and soul into this struggle. ("They all have the lion's heart, I only provided the roar")
Living in the relatively peaceful present, I cannot claim to fully understand the minds of the Britons in 1940/41, but perhaps merely imagining those dark times is enough to convince one how important this was, and how fortunate that Churchill has been around. (The book made speculations on the fate of Britain had a leader less strong been in Churchill's place. It was bleak at best)
The author stressed that he was the greatest Englishman of his time, I reckon he was the greatest person of his time. A few years back I was in the UK and I saw in the news that Churchill was dropped from the essential reading of History (secondary school). I couldn't believe it. The very end of book says this, "...I am persuaded that, in this later time, we are diminished if, admitting Churchill's failings and failures, we can no longer appreciate his virtues and victories."

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Archer said on Apr 9, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback