This edition of the highly acclaimed one-volume Churchill: A Life, is the story of adventure. It follows Winston Churchill from his earliest days to his moments of triumph. Here, the drama and excitement of his story are ever-present, as are his tremendous qualities in peace and war, not least as an orator and as a man of vision. Martin Gilbert gives us a vivid portrait, using Churchill's most personal letters and the recollections of his contemporaries, both friends and enemies, to go behind the scenes of some of the stormiest and most fascinating political events of our time, dominated by two world wars, and culminating in the era of the Iron Curtain and the hydrogen bomb. (19990908)
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A stupendous book. He has told the truth (A.J.P.Taylor 20020530)
One of the greatest histories of our time (Margaret Thatcher 20020530)
By far the most lucid, comprehensive and authoritative account of Churchill that has been offered in a single volume (Philip Ziegler Daily Telegraph 20020530)
Fresh insights and raw information abound in this superb volume (Daily Express )
A tour de force (John Major )
One of the greatest histories of our time (Margaret Thatcher 20020530)
By far the most lucid, comprehensive and authoritative account of Churchill that has been offered in a single volume (Philip Ziegler Daily Telegraph 20020530)
Fresh insights and raw information abound in this superb volume (Daily Express )
A tour de force (John Major )
Book Description
The definitive biography of Winston Churchill. (19990908)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Known for his excellently researched and painstakingly detailed books I picked this up with some trepidation. It took me a while to plough through it. I feel that there is a little too much detail for the general reader especially in the 1920s and early thirties. The sections on the two wars, and his exciting early life are much more readable. The book is also very much from the Churchillian point of view and does not devote much space to opposing points of view. This is a good book for seeing the world through Churchill's eyes.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By nick harris
Format:Paperback
Interested in Churchill ? Then read this book. Possibly the greatest works on someone's life I have ever read. From page one I was gripped. How refreshing it was to have a biography that does not linger on the lives of parents and forefathers as so many books do. The book moves quickly into the fantastic,industrious and full life of Winston.
Gilbert writes in a straightforward manner allowing you to access not only the life of Winston , but of the historical and sometimes frightening events of the first half of the 20th century.
Well done Mr Gilbert , a life's work and what a work.
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By taking a rest
HALL OF FAME
Format:Paperback
The title of this review was Sir. Winston Spencer Churchill responding when asked how he thought History would remember him. He had no concerns, because as he explained he would be his own biographer.
Mr. Churchill did author many books most of which are still readily available in print today, and as far as his ability to use a pen, The Nobel Prize he received for his writings answers that question.
As mentioned elsewhere Martin Gilbert (now Sir Martin Gilbert) finished the 8th volume of the official Churchill Biography in 1988. It is also true that he dedicated decades of his life to the work. What is not as well known is that the work is not yet complete. There are 8 volumes and there are also 15 additional volumes of correspondence, personal letters, etc., that are also equally important to this body of work. Finally, there are more volumes yet to come, so this work not only has stretched decades, its creation has spanned 2 Centuries like the great man himself. It is also important to note that Sir Winston's Son Randolph Churchill published the first volume. Sir Gilbert joined Randolph in 1962, Volume 1 was published in 1966, and Sir Gilbert officially accepted the monumental task in 1968.
This one volume work is brilliant. I have read the 8-volume version, and some of the companion volumes, and to think it could be distilled into one book, however thick, would have seemed an insurmountable task. Sir Gilbert is the authority on the man who many argue was the man of the 20th Century, and one of the great Statesman of History.
Sir Winston certainly was a brilliant leader; to stop there is to not know the man at all.... Read more ›
Mr. Churchill did author many books most of which are still readily available in print today, and as far as his ability to use a pen, The Nobel Prize he received for his writings answers that question.
As mentioned elsewhere Martin Gilbert (now Sir Martin Gilbert) finished the 8th volume of the official Churchill Biography in 1988. It is also true that he dedicated decades of his life to the work. What is not as well known is that the work is not yet complete. There are 8 volumes and there are also 15 additional volumes of correspondence, personal letters, etc., that are also equally important to this body of work. Finally, there are more volumes yet to come, so this work not only has stretched decades, its creation has spanned 2 Centuries like the great man himself. It is also important to note that Sir Winston's Son Randolph Churchill published the first volume. Sir Gilbert joined Randolph in 1962, Volume 1 was published in 1966, and Sir Gilbert officially accepted the monumental task in 1968.
This one volume work is brilliant. I have read the 8-volume version, and some of the companion volumes, and to think it could be distilled into one book, however thick, would have seemed an insurmountable task. Sir Gilbert is the authority on the man who many argue was the man of the 20th Century, and one of the great Statesman of History.
Sir Winston certainly was a brilliant leader; to stop there is to not know the man at all.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is extremely thorough and ,as it is written in a punchy syle, very readable considering its length. The main thrust of Churchill's life was without doubt his involvement in politics and conflict. Although many of the chapters deal with the 2nd World War it is perhaps surprising to note the vast array of conflicts he was involved in before this. Other areas play minor roles, as I presume they did in Churchill's life, although the early chapters prior to his political career are especially intiguing. I would commend this book as an excellent read if you are looking for a comprehensive study on Churchill.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
If you have an interest in Churchill than this is the book for you! From the first page you are instantly taken on the enthralling roller-coaster ride that was Churchill's life. From his early days as a soldier and war journalist, through his early rising political career and subsequent decade in the wilderness to his finest hour as wartime Prime Minister, this book will have you totally absorbed. At times you will roar with laughter, at times you will be brought to tears by the remarkable life of this true British hero. Quite simply the best biography I have ever read.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By James Gallen
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Where does one begin to review a book which so marvelously relates such a momentous life? We are allowed 1,000 words in a review, so I can do 11 words for each year of Churchill's life or 1 word for every page in the book. I might as well give it a try.
I find the breadth of Churchill's life to be mind boggling. The grandson of a Duke, he was raised at the family's Blenheim Palace. His father was a prominent Conservative politician whose political career hit its pinnacle when, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, he got into a squabble over the budget. Winston had the benefit of not being limited by a college education. He was a graduate of Sandhurst, which provided a military education but not a college degree. After graduation he served as a reporter covering the Cuban Insurrection, with the Army in India, where he fought tribesmen, and in Sudan, where he participated in a cavalry charge. Covering the South African War as a journalist, he was captured and this highly valued prisoner and made a daring and much publicized escape. After this he successfully ran for parliament, beginning his career as a Conservative. Four years later, in a break over Free Trade, he switched to the Liberal Party, where he served as a prominent minister. During this time his advocacy of the disastrous Dardenelles campaign forces him to leave the Cabinet and serve as an officer on the Western Front, before returning to other cabinet posts.
In 1922 he was defeated for reelection, but was reelected in 1924, this time as a Conservative. As he put it, "Anyone can rat, but it takes a certain amount of ingenuity to re-rat.... Read more ›
I find the breadth of Churchill's life to be mind boggling. The grandson of a Duke, he was raised at the family's Blenheim Palace. His father was a prominent Conservative politician whose political career hit its pinnacle when, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, he got into a squabble over the budget. Winston had the benefit of not being limited by a college education. He was a graduate of Sandhurst, which provided a military education but not a college degree. After graduation he served as a reporter covering the Cuban Insurrection, with the Army in India, where he fought tribesmen, and in Sudan, where he participated in a cavalry charge. Covering the South African War as a journalist, he was captured and this highly valued prisoner and made a daring and much publicized escape. After this he successfully ran for parliament, beginning his career as a Conservative. Four years later, in a break over Free Trade, he switched to the Liberal Party, where he served as a prominent minister. During this time his advocacy of the disastrous Dardenelles campaign forces him to leave the Cabinet and serve as an officer on the Western Front, before returning to other cabinet posts.
In 1922 he was defeated for reelection, but was reelected in 1924, this time as a Conservative. As he put it, "Anyone can rat, but it takes a certain amount of ingenuity to re-rat.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
we need you
haven't read it yet. have you seen the size of this book. Awesome so far, great condition and good value for money
Published 18 days ago by dave griffiths
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting - but hagiographic?
Sir Martin Gilbert is Churchill's official biographer and this is a condensation of his multi-volume work. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Teemacs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Special commendation for the maps!
I particularly want to mention Mr Gilbert's superb maps, which he constructs himself and are a feature of many of his other books. Read more
Published 13 months ago by snowball23
5.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill: A Life
And what a life! I really enjoyed this 960 page book about a titan who strode across British public life for over 60 years (and packed very much indeed into his pre-public life!). Read more
Published 21 months ago by P. Spencer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A remarkable biography of a remarkable man
I have just finished reading Dr Martin Gilbert's biography of Sir Winston Churchill and I am happy to say that it is a wonderful work. Read more
Published on 25 May 2011 by Mrs. TK Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive biography of Winston Churchill
This compelling and comprehensive volume by the greatest living historian of the 20th century, is the definitive biography of Winston Churchill. Read more
Published on 23 May 2010 by Gary Selikow
4.0 out of 5 stars
The never surrender book
Writting a book on Churchill would be like writting the history of modern day Britain. The task is enormous! Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2001 by ckcruiser@hotmail.com
4.0 out of 5 stars
A most detailed narrative of Churchil's life
For anyone interested in Sir Winston's most eventful life this is the right book. No episode of his life seems to be overlooked, but at times the reader may want to have what are... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2000
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