Churchill

by Paul Johnson

Paper Book, 2010

Status

Available

Call number

941.084092

Genres

Publication

New York : Penguin, 2010.

Description

Acclaimed historian Paul Johnson shows how Churchill's immense adaptability combined with his natural pugnacity to make him a formidable leader for the better part of a century. Rich with anecdote and quotation, Johnson's narrative illustrates the British statesman's humor, resilience, courage, and eccentricity as no other biography before.

Media reviews

Barnes & Noble Review

Reverential, yes, but also insightful --a short biography that’s worthy of its larger-than-life subject.

User reviews

LibraryThing member tututhefirst

Paul Johnson is one of my favorite writer/historians. He has the ability to present his material in a manner that is both intelligent and readable. This was a refreshing and short biography of Churchill focusing on his political career.

It is obvious from the beginning that Johnson is a devotee,

and he mentions several times that he actually met and spoke with him, but still in all the book is fairly objective. I found the chapter where he discusses Churchill's immense power held during WWII. He poses the question "Did Churchill save Britain?" and the presents 10 reasons why he would answer in the affirmative. The book is worth reading for that chapter alone.

I was fascinated to read that Churchill stood for Parliament under six different 'labels': Conservative, Liberal, Coalition, Constitutionalist, Unionist, and National Conservative. I knew about his service as a journalist, 1st Sea Lord, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, but some other achievements were new to me.

And I heartily approve of his answer to the question: "To what do you attribute your success in life?"

Without pause or hesitation he replied: "Conservation of energy. Never stand up when you can sit down. Never sit down when you can lie down."

This is a well-written and researched biography touching on the high points of the life of a great statesman. It can stand alone or serve as the jumping off point for more in-depth studies.

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LibraryThing member nathan.c.moore

This was my first book on Churchill so my review must be taken with a grain of salt. I am a fan of short biographies, but only for one reason... to determine if I want to read full-length, multi-volume treatments of one's life. Given the magnitude and length of Churchill's life I find it hard to

fault Johnson for his effort but found myself slightly disappointed. It wasn't until the end of the book that I realized most of my disappointment is due to the fact that this man's life cannot, perhaps should not, be treated in 190 pages. I almost tempted to fault Johnson for trying. To be honest, I'm a little bewildered because I can't think of any other biography primers to compare this to. Most of it felt like a whirlwind of fact upon fact. The rhythm of the book was, "Churchill did this... and then this... and then this."Part of Johnson's goal in writing was to answer the question "could Britain have one the war without Churchill?" Johnson answered this question affirmatively but to me it seems a little too ambitious to answer such a complicated question in such a short work. Though Johnson succeeded in arguing that Churchill was massively influential in the War, I don't think he succeeded in his goal.I had the sense the Johnson had interesting opinions about Churchill, the lessons of Winston's life found on the final pages suggest that, but I just can't imagine why Johnson felt so compelled to attempt it in less than two hundred pages. Thus, I humbly give the attempt 3 stars and am unlikely to recommend to anyone without the aforementioned caveats.

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LibraryThing member sergerca

If you are in God's good favor you had a great history teacher who knew and loved his subject and transferred that enthusiasm to you. Paul Johnson would have been that kind of teacher, and this little book on Churchill proves why.

This is the first Johnson book I've read (although I own a few, and

have more on my wishlist) and what a shame that it's taken me so long to read one! He has an obvious love of his subject, but that does not preclude him from criticizing his hero (e.g. Churchill's complete dismissal of defense issues during the run-up to WWII when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer). Also, Johnson is branded an "conservative" historian by many, but he does not use this book to hammer Churchill on his lifelong support of the ever-growing British welfare state that he helped to construct.

As others have mentioned, even thought this is a short book, Johnson does not just give a chronological survey of Churchill's life. His analysis on the 10 factors that made Churchill indispensable to the WWII victory effort are very convincing.

And lastly, how can you not love a book about a man so quoteable? Two of my favorites:
"Facts are better than dreams."
"If Hitler invaded Hell, at least I would ensure that in the House of Commons I made a favourable reference to the Devil."

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LibraryThing member IowaLawyer

Didn't learn much. The last chapter is worth reading.

LibraryThing member pjeanne

Quick read and I enjoyed it, but author assumes more knowledge about the era in which Churchill lived/governed than I have.

LibraryThing member Tullius22

Sometimes with Mr. Johnson it seems that he writes below his ability, but not here--here, he does well.

I mean, with other books, they are merely better than certain others, but this one is, itself, very good.

(9/10)

LibraryThing member wdwilson3

Broad but not deep, this biography presents an overview of the life of one of the greatest men of the 20th century without fully satisfying. Particularly lacking, at least for American readers, is a fuller description of some of the domestic English events to which Johnson alludes.

LibraryThing member TigsW

A nicely written book which focuses mainly on Churchill's character. Clearly written by a devotee, but nonetheless fairly objective and made it clear what a complex and difficult character Churchill was.

LibraryThing member joeydag

Johnson is so easy to read. This short read does a nice summary of Churchill's life and impact on history. If you want to read only one short book about Churchill this is a good one.

LibraryThing member quiBee

An overview of Churchill's life by a man who admires him.
Enjoyable read of the life of an amazing man.

LibraryThing member DanielAlgara

Very good, well written, brief review of Churchill's life. It's a great primer on not only the events but the motives for many of the Lion's actions. There is if course a slight bias for the writer was acquainted with Churchill somehow. Though the narrative's intention is not to sway the opinion of

Churchill's detractors. If your not a fan of Churchy you're not going to like the book, mostly because you're a leftist, which is fine, but you won't appreciate the book's light tone which is almost apolitical.

Highly recommended for those who just want an overview of this most extraordinary man.

I should mention too that I did this audio-style. I have the feeling I might have been little disappointed at the lack of depth if I had read it in book form.

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LibraryThing member david__clifford

A very good overview of Churchill's life.

LibraryThing member Arkrayder

This book was interesting. I learned more about Churchill and see him in a different light. I would like to find a longer biography of him.

LibraryThing member Sandydog1

Painfully concise. This was a page-turner about the up and down (mostly up) career of an amazing statesman and workaholic. I got tired just reading about the guy, and am certainly now motivated to read a more thorough biography and/or one of Winnie's many door-stop works.

LibraryThing member tuckerresearch

Not the best biography of Churchill, but a good hors d'oeuvre that doesn't take much time to read, is well-written, and is enjoyable and informative. Johnson's summation on why Churchill was great/important is worth the read.

LibraryThing member dhrona

Fascinating read. This was one of the first biographies that I read. Churchill was certainly one of the influential persons of 20th century. I consider the most influential person to be Gandhi but may be when I read more biographies my perspective might change. A lot of detail has been skimmed over

in this biography as it is quite short considering the impact Churchill had on our existence. The book seemed rushed over towards the end but the beginning chapters are well written and thorough. If like Paul Johnson's books then you would enjoy this one.

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LibraryThing member rivkat

Very short biography—a lot of telling rather than showing—but Churchill is interesting enough that telling can be punchy. Not only was Churchill a master of words, he inspired others, e.g., one comment on his history of World War I was that “Winston has written an enormous book about himself

and called it The World Crisis.” Churchill had a vast energy and an ability to come back from defeats that would impress anyone. He changed parties six times, but was perfectly faithful to his wife, which in my mind is the right way to go about it. When the voters kicked him out immediately after WWII ended, his wife commented that it might be a blessing in disguise (because he’d been working himself to death), but Churchill responded “It appears to be very effectively disguised.”

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LibraryThing member ben_a

A Hanukkah gift from my mother, and a splendid one. You will know from the first sentence whether this is the book for you: "Of all the towering figures of the twentieth century, both good and evil, Winston Churchill was the most valuable to humanity, and also the most likable."

Johnson presents

many of my favorite Churchillian moments, and uncovers new ones as well. One fabulous quote I did not know was a dinner party bon mot: "We are all worms. But I really think that I am a glow worm."

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LibraryThing member jwhenderson

A succinct autobiography of one of the twentieth century's greatest statesmen. This is a condensed method of learning about the salient features of this remarkable man's life.

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