Churchill Walking With Destiny

Instant favourite. Great book overall.

Its a magnificent read where the author dwells both onto the praises and the critical aspects of Churchill's life. Good from a neutrality point of view, since Churchill was shaped during the sunset of the Victorian era and most of his views in the modern world do no corelate to the values emphasized on back then.

Amazing biography by an amazing author. Dr. Roberts is a true storyteller. What I've enjoyed the most, is how he delivers insights about Churchill's private life. A true British icon indeed, and one of the best biographies I've read.

A remarkable portrayal of the statesman and astute politician who changed the trajectory of history.

I was born in 1956. For a brief period, though I did not know it but Churchill was my Prime Minister in the twilight of his Parliamentary years. My interest in Churchill started in 1965 watching his funeral on television, aged nine with my mother and father tight lipped and my father obviously upset. His upset filtering to me, so that without knowing why I was tearful and sad. At that early age, a sense of the enormity of the event came home to me. I have read many biographies of Churchill since; some good, some average but only one really awful (Boris Johnston). Most are a product of when written and the source material available to them. I confess to having missed Andrew Roberts biography on publication I have only just got round to reading it now. The first thing is this book, at 982 pages in paperback is not at first glance for the faint hearted. Roberts however benefits in his research from memoirs public records and diaries which have been released in recent years to provide up to date analysis. It is testament to the author that he has produced a text which is addictive reading, mixing as it does the sweep of history at home and abroad and Churchill's part in them. Roberts is no fawning biographer. He is both even in his analysis of Churchill's flawed and impetuous judgement as he is in demonstrating Churchill's extraordinary foresight and achievements. Churchill we must remember he was a man of his time and those times are long gone. Yet cometh the hour he was the man. There have been no comparators to Churchill in post war politics; indeed by comparison how small and inconsequential our modern day leaders are. Churchill was fond of quoting Shakespeare, and even on occasion, fooling friends with made up verses, but surely no quotation from Hamlet still applies “He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.” An excellent biography. I cannot see it being surpassed as the definitive one volume history of Churchill's life. HIghly readable and highly recommended.