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Winston Churchill (Penguin Lives)
by
John Keegan
One of the greatest historians writing today gives us a defining portrait of the incomparable Churchill
Acclaimed historian John Keegan offers a very human portrait of one of the twentieth century's enduring symbols of heroic defiance. From Churchill's youth as a poor student to his leadership during World War II, Keegan reveals a man whose own idea of an English past- el...more
Acclaimed historian John Keegan offers a very human portrait of one of the twentieth century's enduring symbols of heroic defiance. From Churchill's youth as a poor student to his leadership during World War II, Keegan reveals a man whose own idea of an English past- el...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
October 30th 2007
by Penguin (Non-Classics)
(first published January 1st 2002)
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Keegan's 2002 book is one of a series of retrospective looks at Winston Churchill, who himself dominated the first 30 years after World War II with his own histories of the conflict. Now, with the perspective of time and additional research, there are some very insightful books appearing.
This book is largely an overview of others' work. It is very worthwhile if the reader is unfamiliar with Churchill but there are better books for an insight into the Battle of Britain, the fall o...more
This book is largely an overview of others' work. It is very worthwhile if the reader is unfamiliar with Churchill but there are better books for an insight into the Battle of Britain, the fall o...more
This was my first foray into biographies, so it was nice starting with one under 200 pages. It actually read pretty quickly, and I enjoyed it. There was a lot of history about what was going on while he was alive, but I guess I would have liked a little more about him personally. Maybe more excerpts from things he had written, and from his speeches. I still feel like I don't know Churchill the man really well, but I learned a lot about WWII, since my last history reading was in high school! ...more
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I love history and biographies but don't often read them. I appreciated this one because it was short, well-documented and showed both his military and political careers as well as his personal life.
This was a good short bio of the remarkable man known best for his time as British Prime Minister during World War II. The author is a military historian, and this book reflects that, giving good descriptions of both earlier military experiences and the leadership of the British forces during the war. But I also enjoyed the introduction to Churchill's youth and later years.
One annoyance with the audiobook for me was the reader's attempt to put on a Churchill accent when he quoted anyth...more
One annoyance with the audiobook for me was the reader's attempt to put on a Churchill accent when he quoted anyth...more
A small book about a big man.
Without getting bogged down with minutiae, the book covers all the significant events in Churchill's life. The first several chapters include much of his political posturing before the war. (Although certainly enlightening, I confess it was easy to get lost in parts because of my unfamiliarity with Britain's political system.)
The significant sections of his storied speeches are recorded here, and because the backstory of each is provided the speeches are all the m...more
Without getting bogged down with minutiae, the book covers all the significant events in Churchill's life. The first several chapters include much of his political posturing before the war. (Although certainly enlightening, I confess it was easy to get lost in parts because of my unfamiliarity with Britain's political system.)
The significant sections of his storied speeches are recorded here, and because the backstory of each is provided the speeches are all the m...more
Ed
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Churchill, biography and WW II enthusiasts.
One of the reasons I don't read more biographies is that they always provide me with more information than I want. I understand that the author, who has most likely spent years researching a person's life, wants to include as much of the research as possible, I'm just not sure I want to plow through so much detail.
This effort by John Keegan to deliver a short but comprehensive summary of Winston Churchill's life was a joy to read. I'm sure he used only secondary sources but he, som...more
This effort by John Keegan to deliver a short but comprehensive summary of Winston Churchill's life was a joy to read. I'm sure he used only secondary sources but he, som...more
Delightful - short, perceptive, insightful and yet comprehensive as an overview of Churchill's life and impact. Perhaps the perfect introduction to Churchill - and certainly a marvelous refresher. Want to learn about Winston Churchill but daunted by the numerous - and weighty - books about him? Read this! It will inform and hopefully encourage you to read even more about this most remarkable figure of the 20th Century.
The second half dwells on the war and speculates as to Churchill's motives in strategic decisions, which is interesting but drier than the first half. Very interesting man and an interesting book, worth the read, which is quick.
I didn't really know anything about Churchill and now, because of this book, I feel like I have a great solid knowledge base about this great man who brought WWII victory for the Allies.
If you only have time in your life for 200 pages on Churchill, I guess this is it. After reading it, it's way too little for me. I've ordered Gilbert's biography.
Did not contain all that I had heard about Churchill as he was growing up. It is a short quick read of a brilliant man who was at the right place at the right times.
I learned that Winston Churchill had many struggles in his rise to power and rank in the European government as a man. It was genuinely one of the most inspiring books I have read.
a concise and insightful look into the life of a man who changed the course of history. Well written pocket guide if you will.
For a short book Keegan slams home alot of history. Read this and you will see why Keegan is one of my favorites.
A good, short biography.
Good book on Churchill. Very in depth, yet not boring.
Good short biography. A good read to get to know WC without reading those huge volumes the Brits like to write.
this book shows the entire, historical and personal story of the man who was the key to world peace and an end to the most life threatening war in the history of the world. this book is different from other auto biographies because this one has quotes, from the man himself and ones he was close to, and gives an in depth analyzation of his world.
Having visited his birthplace and adult home, I decided to learn more about this giant of a man. This biography is rather short, but covers his personal, military, professional and political life.
Acceptable summary of Churchill's life. Much better books out there on Churchill, of course. Keegan is better as a historian than as a biographer.
Too much personal bio and not enough political, but interesting tale of Churchill’s unremarkable life until he steps into political office.
A perfect, easy to read book for those who feel under educated about the life and times of Churchill.
There is no doubt, whatsoever that Churchill made the correct critical decisions at the right time.
A revelation of the author's rediscovery of Britain's Prime Minister, through his wartime speeches.
Oct. 29, 2003
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Sir John Desmond Patrick Keegan OBE is a British military historian, lecturer and journalist. He has published many works on the nature of combat between the 14th and 21st centuries concerning land, air, maritime and intelligence warfare as well as the psychology of battle.
-Wikipedia
More about John Keegan...
-Wikipedia
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