Winston Churchill's inspiring leadership in the Second World War once put him above criticism. In recent years his record has come under attack. This book makes sense of this extraordinary man and his controversial and heroic career. Best brings outChurchill's strengths and weaknesses, looking past the many received versions of Churchill in a biography that balances the private and the public man and offers a fresh insight into his character.
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'my favourite Winston Churchill biography of all, though, is Geoffrey Best's 'Churchill: A Study of Greatness' which combines all the biographical information with a real sense of what it felt like to be English in Churchill's era.'--, "The Wall Street Journal "
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Geoffrey Best is one of Britain's most distinguished historians. He has been Professor of History at the Universities of Edinburgh and Sussex and is currently a Senior Member of St Antony's College, Oxford. His previous books include WAR AND LAW SINCE 1945, HUMANITY AND WARFARE and MID-VICTORIAN BRITAIN.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Geoffrey Best has produced an excellent biography of Churchill - a single volume of manageable length unlikely to be bettered. The writing is elegant, Churchill's life and work comprehensively covered and Best's judgments are soundly based. The strength of this biography lies in Best's ability to paint a vivid picture of Churchill's character, virtues as well as vices, family and public life, without loosing balance or feeling the need to stoop to sensationalism.
Churchill's life was an epic adventure from his birth at Blenheim Palace, that stately monument to his ancestor whose military victory opened the first chapter of Great Britain's rise as great power to his death and state funeral, a fitting final chapter to the same story. Given his background, his romantic attachment to Great Britain and her rightful place in the world, and his difficulty with accepting the constraints of political parties - he changed twice- Churchill was far from being a typical politician, although he never wavered from his belief in the yoke of democracy and the supremacy of the House of Commons. But the many apparent contradictions and political mistakes, none of which Best seeks to gloss over or excuse, were but facets of the complex character of the one man able to assume leadership of the nation at the time of its darkest hour in 1940 and guide it to victory. This achievement, above all else - and there was much more - justifies Churchill's claim to greatness.
... Read more ›7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By GJH Williams
Format:Paperback
... can become quite as turgid and dusty as it does I don't know. Obviously it is very high as regards historical accuracy and detailed, but lacks a real feel for the snap and wit of Churchill that one feels is part of his greatness. I'm a avid reader, but found this heavy going
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Geoffrey Best has produced an excellent biography of Churchill - a single volume of manageable length unlikely to be bettered. The writing is elegant, Churchill's life and work comprehensively covered and Best's judgments are soundly based. The strength of this biography lies in Best's ability to paint a vivid picture of Churchill's character, virtues as well as vices, family and public life, without loosing balance or feeling the need to stoop to sensationalism.
Churchill's life was an epic adventure from his birth at Blenheim Palace, that stately monument to his ancestor whose military victory opened the first chapter of Great Britain's rise as great power to his death and state funeral, the a fitting final chapter to the same story. Given his background, his romantic attachment to Great Britain and her rightful place in the world, and his difficulty with accepting the constraints of political parties - he changed twice- Churchill was far from being a typical politician, although he never wavered from his belief in the yoke of democracy and the supremacy of the House of Commons. But the many apparent contradictions and political mistakes, none of which Best seeks to gloss over or excuse, were but facets of the complex character of the one man able to assume leadership of the nation at the time of its darkest hour in 1940 and guide it to victory. This achievement, above all else - and there was much more - justifies Churchill's claim to greatness.
... Read more ›7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By King Brosby
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book. It is brief. I read it shortly after Roy Jenkins Life of Churchill.
Geoffrey Best wrote this book to satisfy his curiosity about Churchill's greatness, and the conclusion he draws (that Churchill was very great indeed) is persuasive. Best seems well-informed, and his judgement so far as it goes reliable.
But, I describe the book as "partial" because, being brief, it doesn't attempt to cover every detail. For example there is little detail about Churchill's government activity in the 1920s, little about his parliamentary campaigning, no mention of his holidays in Madeira, no mention of the delight he took in holidays near the Atlas Mountains. I think the quality, energy, and wide ranging contribution in government in the 1910s and 1920s was not only important in its own right, but an augury of the magnificent contribution he made in later years, ... and Best understates the inherent quality of these auguries. Just as Churchill said, it was as if all his former life was a preparation for the trials of the Second World War.
I found Bests Epilogue interesting. It discusses eg whether the values and worldview of Churchill (eg roughly nationalistic and pro-Anglo-Saxon management) can be understood and sympathised with these days. Best mentions Isaiah Berlin and Clement Attlee as two people who wrote penetrating essays about Churchill. I shall try to read both of them.
Geoffrey Best wrote this book to satisfy his curiosity about Churchill's greatness, and the conclusion he draws (that Churchill was very great indeed) is persuasive. Best seems well-informed, and his judgement so far as it goes reliable.
But, I describe the book as "partial" because, being brief, it doesn't attempt to cover every detail. For example there is little detail about Churchill's government activity in the 1920s, little about his parliamentary campaigning, no mention of his holidays in Madeira, no mention of the delight he took in holidays near the Atlas Mountains. I think the quality, energy, and wide ranging contribution in government in the 1910s and 1920s was not only important in its own right, but an augury of the magnificent contribution he made in later years, ... and Best understates the inherent quality of these auguries. Just as Churchill said, it was as if all his former life was a preparation for the trials of the Second World War.
I found Bests Epilogue interesting. It discusses eg whether the values and worldview of Churchill (eg roughly nationalistic and pro-Anglo-Saxon management) can be understood and sympathised with these days. Best mentions Isaiah Berlin and Clement Attlee as two people who wrote penetrating essays about Churchill. I shall try to read both of them.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill: A Study in greatness.
Bought as a present. This book has been an very interesting read at times it was hard to put down. Would recommend this without hesitation.
Published 5 months ago by IMJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Present
This book was what my brother wanted for his 60th birthday. It came in a pack of three and was a bargain compared to the shops.
Published 6 months ago by Annette Pegg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth Every Penny
A great read for anybody with an interest in Churchill, there are bigger and better books out there but this is worth what you pay, I've now read it twice (I really should post... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Paul.A
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Study
I had been searching for a concise account of Churchill's life and this book provided a very high quality one. Read more
Published on 24 April 2011 by Jon 'ET' A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable and Informative
Very Informative and enjoyable book provides plenty of information for the scholarly reader but does not baffle the layman very highly recommended.
Published on 8 Feb 2011 by Bricky
4.0 out of 5 stars
A concise biography
A good account of Churchill's life, my only concern was that some events were only given a brief account, but as the author states there are so many other sources to look through... Read more
Published on 19 July 2009 by Shaky Hands
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incisive Critique
I have just finished reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a balanced review of Sir Winston Churchill. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2009 by Franco
5.0 out of 5 stars
To the point :o)
There is probably no other individual, who has more biografies, than Mr Churchill, so you have to look serously for the excellent ones. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2008 by Jan Wammen Dam
5.0 out of 5 stars
A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT
ALONG WITH MARTIN GILBERT AND ROY JENKINS BEST WROTE AVERY GREAT BOOK ON WINSTON CHURCHILL LIFE .
Published on 16 Aug 2008 by Gilbert Michaud
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best
One of my favourite books, not just about the war, but on any subject.
Captures the brilliance of Churchill and helps illustrate his role in modern times for us too young to... Read more
Captures the brilliance of Churchill and helps illustrate his role in modern times for us too young to... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2005 by James Mosley
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