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London to Ladysmith via Pretoria
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268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2005
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147 people want to read
About the author
Winston S. Churchill
1,402 books2,491 followersSir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, politician and writer, as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955 led Great Britain, published several works, including
The Second World War
from 1948 to 1953, and then won the Nobel Prize for literature.
William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...
William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 30, 2025
This truly is one of the most Boy's Own adventure tales I ever read. And given who’s telling the tale, it’s hard not to credit every word of it.
It’s 1899, the second Boer War’s raging in South Africa and a very young war correspondent for a London paper, is hell bent to get some of the action. And get it he does. First an armored train he's traveling on is ambushed. The train’s wrecked. He’s captured. Naturally, he escapes from the prison camp. Then instead of taking the next ship home, he keeps churning out his dispatches and hotfoots it over to report on the relief the Siege of Ladysmith. That done, it’s on to take Pretoria.
A few years back in Kwazulu-Natal I was at Frere, close by the Blaauwkrantz River where Churchill’s train was ambushed, astonished to see just pastureland at the bottom of a grassy hill and a roadside plaque. No sign now of “these clanging, rending iron boxes, with the repeated explosions of the shells and the artillery, the noise of the projectiles striking the cars, the hiss as they passed in the air, the grunting and puffing of the engine—poor, tortured thing, hammered by at least a dozen shells…”
All the same I could hear the violence, feel the explosions and breathe the smoke that thrilled a man so young and who had no idea then that two world wars were waiting for him, just around the corner.
It’s 1899, the second Boer War’s raging in South Africa and a very young war correspondent for a London paper, is hell bent to get some of the action. And get it he does. First an armored train he's traveling on is ambushed. The train’s wrecked. He’s captured. Naturally, he escapes from the prison camp. Then instead of taking the next ship home, he keeps churning out his dispatches and hotfoots it over to report on the relief the Siege of Ladysmith. That done, it’s on to take Pretoria.
A few years back in Kwazulu-Natal I was at Frere, close by the Blaauwkrantz River where Churchill’s train was ambushed, astonished to see just pastureland at the bottom of a grassy hill and a roadside plaque. No sign now of “these clanging, rending iron boxes, with the repeated explosions of the shells and the artillery, the noise of the projectiles striking the cars, the hiss as they passed in the air, the grunting and puffing of the engine—poor, tortured thing, hammered by at least a dozen shells…”
All the same I could hear the violence, feel the explosions and breathe the smoke that thrilled a man so young and who had no idea then that two world wars were waiting for him, just around the corner.
January 16, 2024
Amazon Review on December 21, 2012: Churchill Reports from South Africa...Live on CNN!
This is a highly readable 'you are there' account (from the British viewpoint of course) of actions during the so-called '2nd' Boer War, by the future World leader from his arrival in South Africa late 1899 to mid-1900. Winston Churchill was a 25-year old correspondent for the London Morning Post so these are more or less stories he filed at the time. I assume they appeared in the newspaper much as written here..which gives them a raw and riveting 'real-time' quality if they are read in that context. A lot more military history might benefit in terms of reader attention from such reporting, despite the inevitable inaccuracies that arise. And would that newspapers of today had anything remotely like this quality of content. I speak in terms of detail (unit names, detailed and numerous maps of the actions) and writing quality. Churchill could write! Yet even though it is written from a Brit standpoint, the reporter Churchill makes seemingly every effort to interview Boers and attempt to understand their point of view. He is mostly complimentary to their fighting spirit and belief in a cause. Of course he is mostly effusive and acclamtory with regard to the British military and their generals (Buller, Roberts, Hamilton). But he also does not hesitate to offer sharp criticisms of tactics where he is able. This is really two books in one as the title suggests. The first (London to Ladysmith) dealing with his arrival in-country, the fierce fighting in Natal including the notorious setbacks at Spion Kop and the difficult crossing of the Tugela River. His capture and subsequent escape from a Boer prison is chronicled in the first book as well, an adventure yarn that beats most Hollywood thrillers because it actually happened! The second book (Ian Hamilton's March) is perhaps less captivating as the military invincibility of the Empire becomes apparent. Still the capture of major Boer cities and the end game is interesting as well. And it was amusing to read how they debated the question of whether 1900 was really the first year the new century or not, much as the question was contested in 2000!
This is a highly readable 'you are there' account (from the British viewpoint of course) of actions during the so-called '2nd' Boer War, by the future World leader from his arrival in South Africa late 1899 to mid-1900. Winston Churchill was a 25-year old correspondent for the London Morning Post so these are more or less stories he filed at the time. I assume they appeared in the newspaper much as written here..which gives them a raw and riveting 'real-time' quality if they are read in that context. A lot more military history might benefit in terms of reader attention from such reporting, despite the inevitable inaccuracies that arise. And would that newspapers of today had anything remotely like this quality of content. I speak in terms of detail (unit names, detailed and numerous maps of the actions) and writing quality. Churchill could write! Yet even though it is written from a Brit standpoint, the reporter Churchill makes seemingly every effort to interview Boers and attempt to understand their point of view. He is mostly complimentary to their fighting spirit and belief in a cause. Of course he is mostly effusive and acclamtory with regard to the British military and their generals (Buller, Roberts, Hamilton). But he also does not hesitate to offer sharp criticisms of tactics where he is able. This is really two books in one as the title suggests. The first (London to Ladysmith) dealing with his arrival in-country, the fierce fighting in Natal including the notorious setbacks at Spion Kop and the difficult crossing of the Tugela River. His capture and subsequent escape from a Boer prison is chronicled in the first book as well, an adventure yarn that beats most Hollywood thrillers because it actually happened! The second book (Ian Hamilton's March) is perhaps less captivating as the military invincibility of the Empire becomes apparent. Still the capture of major Boer cities and the end game is interesting as well. And it was amusing to read how they debated the question of whether 1900 was really the first year the new century or not, much as the question was contested in 2000!
May 16, 2021
This highly entertaining volume by Winston Churchill, the winner of the 1953 Nobel Prize for literature, is based on the articles that he wrote between October 1899 and March 1900 for the "Morning Post" a Conservative newspaper in his capacity as a war correspondent attached to the British army on its mission to relieve Ladysmith under siege by the Boers. Having failed in his initial attempt to win a seat in the House Commons in June 1899, Churchill's was determined that his dispatches from the front would ensure that he would get elected on his next try.
Cynics have said that this book tells us nothing about the Boer War and that it throws light only on Churchill's great ambition. Once forewarned, the reader inevitably comes to view the book in this manner. Churchill rails against the Liberals who by failing to massively arm the British colonies in the region provoked the war. Despite seeing some dreadful errors committed by the British army, he vigorously praises every officer that he mentions.
The book is nonetheless great fun to read as Churchill was indeed a remarkable master of the English language. As a polemicist, he possessed the ability to superbly defend policies that he did not believe in. Finally, he had a great verve for describing battlefield gore.
Being by nature a bull in a china shop, Churchill managed to get himself taken prisoner by the Boers. He duly escaped and wrote thrilling articles about the incident which created great publicity for him. In October 1900, Churchill successfully won election to the British Parliament as a Conservative.
Cynics have said that this book tells us nothing about the Boer War and that it throws light only on Churchill's great ambition. Once forewarned, the reader inevitably comes to view the book in this manner. Churchill rails against the Liberals who by failing to massively arm the British colonies in the region provoked the war. Despite seeing some dreadful errors committed by the British army, he vigorously praises every officer that he mentions.
The book is nonetheless great fun to read as Churchill was indeed a remarkable master of the English language. As a polemicist, he possessed the ability to superbly defend policies that he did not believe in. Finally, he had a great verve for describing battlefield gore.
Being by nature a bull in a china shop, Churchill managed to get himself taken prisoner by the Boers. He duly escaped and wrote thrilling articles about the incident which created great publicity for him. In October 1900, Churchill successfully won election to the British Parliament as a Conservative.
March 23, 2022
An excellent followup read to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Great Boer War,' as Churchill's experiences will augment your retained context of the history of the conflict. Churchill himself presents a much more personal account, including his capture and escape following the Boers' cataclysmic destruction of an armored train. Serving afterward with the South African Light Horse, Churchill rides with the British Army to the relief of the besieged and strategic settlement of Ladysmith, where his war correspondent's narrative ends. Churchill's account is lively and wonderful and recommended for Anglophiles and students of the Victorian era.
June 10, 2023
Una excelente narración sobre la guerra entre los Boers y los ingleses. Se demuestra la capacidad de escritura de Chrchill, que permite al lector recrear su paso por Suráfrica.
February 6, 2024
A first hand account of a time where a man’s most powerful weapon was his honor.
Interesting view point into the mindset of the era.
Interesting view point into the mindset of the era.
April 6, 2024
Good old Winston, if this had been a fictitious account by Ryder Haggard, it would have sold well.
August 17, 2012
Written by a relatively young Winston Churchill, yet already in full "Churchill-style" this was an interesting, but short book to read. Churchill takes us through his adventures during the Boer War as a war correspondent and British soldier. He begins on the steamship passage from London to South Africa and then on his overland journey to the front. Next he details his capture by the Boers and his daring escape as a prisoner of war. Finally he recounts his days with the invading British army as it makes its way to Ladysmith to crush the siege that the Boers have dropped on the city. Very interesting and quick paced. Definitely a solid read for anyone interested in either the Boer War or Churchill.
February 9, 2014
A very readable account of the lifting of the siege of the town of Ladysmith, in South Africa, during the (second) Boer war of 1899-1902. This is more commonly known as the Relief of Ladysmith. During this period of time Winston was a war correspondent for the Morning Post. His reports from the battlefield form the basis of this book. It also includes a full and graphic description of Winston's capture by the Boers, and his subsequent escape and flight to freedom.
Churchill's own words give some clues as to his stubbornness, and his appreciation of the strategic implications, so much in evidence during his tenure as Great Britain's WW2 Prime Minister.
Churchill's own words give some clues as to his stubbornness, and his appreciation of the strategic implications, so much in evidence during his tenure as Great Britain's WW2 Prime Minister.
March 17, 2015
Not their finest hour
Churchill would later describe the defense of Britain against Hitler's Luftwaffe in 1940-41 as the "finest hour" in the long history of the Empire. Clearly, the Boer War was not. Yet, in this account of the relief of Ladysmith, young correspondent/cavalry officer Winston S. Churchill has shown by virtue of his personal view and participation in the South African war that it was not their worst hour. Churchill's stubborn resistance of the Nazi juggernaut in WWII May have been in part inspired by Sir George White's defense of Ladysmith 40 years earlier.
Churchill would later describe the defense of Britain against Hitler's Luftwaffe in 1940-41 as the "finest hour" in the long history of the Empire. Clearly, the Boer War was not. Yet, in this account of the relief of Ladysmith, young correspondent/cavalry officer Winston S. Churchill has shown by virtue of his personal view and participation in the South African war that it was not their worst hour. Churchill's stubborn resistance of the Nazi juggernaut in WWII May have been in part inspired by Sir George White's defense of Ladysmith 40 years earlier.
July 27, 2012
Well written and entertaining story of the young Churchill. I can see why he annoyed his military superiors.
March 14, 2015
I had to give up on this one...he writes wonderfully, but the subject matter was simply too outdated for me.
May 13, 2025
Great read
December 24, 2017
Churchill expertly mixes observation, description, and incisive wit in his first hand account of the Boer War. Written 40ish years before becoming PM, his keen attention to detail while not missing the big picture is already clear. This should be a required read for students of British history.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews