This short volume on the life and times of Winston Churchill is insightful. Historian John Keegan opens the book with personal observations concerning the then-youthful post-World War II generations ambivalent attitude toward the blustery prime minister who led Britain through the conflict and the discovery that he is held in greater esteem in the United States than in England. Once in America, a youthful Keegan chanced upon albums of Churchill's speeches, gave them a listen, then began a lifelong understanding of Churchill's impact. From there, Keegan embarks on a whirlwind tour of Churchill's life: family, wars, politics, accidents, incidents, his resolve when in and out of power, and most importantly Churchill's relationship with the English language and history. Through his writings and speeches, Churchill shaped himself as well as the character of his nation during World War II and, in turn, shaped the currents of twentieth century history.
Keegan's "Winston Churchill" is one volume in the excellent Penguin Lives series. This series provides concise biographies of numerous political, cultural, scientific and other figures often written by authors who do not normally compose biography. As in most cases, the Penguin "Winston Churchill" is often a blur of facts and dates as it rushes pell-mell through its subject's long life. Yet, Keegan, and the majority of the Penguin books, refuse to become bogged down in details about every political turn or personal tic. Instead, both Keegan and Penguin often select moments and commentary that shines a spotlight on a particular theme or trait that arguably gets to the reason why a person is the subject of biography in the first place. For a more intimate telling of Churchill's life, readers may want to look up Roy Jenkins' massive "Churchill: A Biography." For those who are intrigued by Churchill's relationship with his contemporary, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (very little attention is paid to the Churchill-Roosevelt mythos in Keegan's book), look for "Roosevelt and Churchill: Men of Secrets" by David Stafford. But for a reader looking for the essence of Churchill, Keegan's "Winston Churchill" is a must read.
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December 6, 2005
Winston Churchill/John Keegan
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This short volume on the life and times of Winston Churchill is insightful. Historian John Keegan opens the book with personal observations concerning the then-youthful post-World War II generations ambivalent attitude toward the blustery prime minister who led Britain through the conflict and the discovery that he is held in greater esteem in the United States than in England.
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