What do you think?
Rate this book
Churchill in the Trenches
November 1915: disgraced and stripped of high office, Winston Churchill heads to the trenches to fight. A quarter of a century before his "finest hour" in 1940, Britain's future Prime Minister faced a very different kind of crisis. As First Lord of the Admiralty at the start of the First World War, he found himself blamed for the catastrophic military fiasco of the Dardanelles. Thrown for the first time into the political wilderness, he decided to rejoin the British Army and take his place on the Western Front. The first standalone account of this period of his life published since the 1920s, CHURCHILL IN THE TRENCHES reconstructs his six months near the Belgian town of Ypres. It reveals he how he gradually won over the troops he commanded -- the tough but traumatised 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. And it tells the largely unknown story of how amid mud and squalor, one of the 20th century's most memorable characters became one of its greatest leaders.
138 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2015
546 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Peter Apps
28 books11 followersPeter Apps lives in England, and Deja Vu To The Nth is his third novel. He wrote it because he still thinks people are pretty amazing even though Peter hasn’t met anyone who has built a space portal, but then again, he hasn’t looked in everyone’s garden shed either.
He was born on 1st January 1948 has lived in Sheerness, Kent for most of his life. The Isle of Sheppey where Sheerness is situated has a long, rich history which has always fascinated Peter. History might seem a far cry from Science Fiction but imagining life in a Roman settlement is imagining a world just as alien as a distant planet.
Although he worked in a series of routine jobs he likes to do his own thing when he can.
For example, all his computers are Microsoft free zones and prefers to use Linux. He has always had an interest in science, especially Astronomy. Now that planets have been discovered around other suns, he feels that the time is coming when we could discover intelligent life out there.
Other interests include classical music and jazz. He also likes to settle down in the evening to watch a good film while enjoying a nice glass of bitter or else visiting his local for a chat over a friendly drink.
He was born on 1st January 1948 has lived in Sheerness, Kent for most of his life. The Isle of Sheppey where Sheerness is situated has a long, rich history which has always fascinated Peter. History might seem a far cry from Science Fiction but imagining life in a Roman settlement is imagining a world just as alien as a distant planet.
Although he worked in a series of routine jobs he likes to do his own thing when he can.
For example, all his computers are Microsoft free zones and prefers to use Linux. He has always had an interest in science, especially Astronomy. Now that planets have been discovered around other suns, he feels that the time is coming when we could discover intelligent life out there.
Other interests include classical music and jazz. He also likes to settle down in the evening to watch a good film while enjoying a nice glass of bitter or else visiting his local for a chat over a friendly drink.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 1, 2017
Fascinating new perspective on Sir Winston
An insightful account of one of the lesser-known and less heavily examined phases of one of the mosy iconic and heavily written-about (including autobiographical works) historical figures of all time. This short, concise, and highly readable work gives me a newfound sense of respect for Sir Winston, as it shows him to have been an officer who was willing and able to lead by example, sacrificing the creature comforts and trappings of political office to experience first-hand the privations and dangers of WWI trench warfare.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS (and noteworthy passages)
--p. 32: The British Grenadiers! "(T)he senior and most established infantry regiment in the British Army."
--p. 38: "It's a Long Way to Tipperary!"
--p. 39: An "early proponent of the tank," eh? Young Sir Winston and young Lt. George Patton would've gotten along well!
--p. 42: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 9th (Scottish) Division, och aye laddie!
--p. 50: Lowland Scots--as in Scots-Irish?
--p. 112: "in fact, losses amongst generals and staff officers were as high in the First World War as they were in the second." Oh really? From which source(s) did the author get that particular tidbit? And if so, how high were those losses really--both aggregate numbers and percentage-wise--compared to say, the American Civil War (wherein general officers' casualty rates were comparable to those of privates)?
--pp. 115-116: Churchill more lax about discipline than other officers: "'I'm afraid the men began to realise that they might at least once indulge themselves in the luxury of telling their sergeants to go to hell,' he [Gibb] recalled."
An insightful account of one of the lesser-known and less heavily examined phases of one of the mosy iconic and heavily written-about (including autobiographical works) historical figures of all time. This short, concise, and highly readable work gives me a newfound sense of respect for Sir Winston, as it shows him to have been an officer who was willing and able to lead by example, sacrificing the creature comforts and trappings of political office to experience first-hand the privations and dangers of WWI trench warfare.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS (and noteworthy passages)
--p. 32: The British Grenadiers! "(T)he senior and most established infantry regiment in the British Army."
--p. 38: "It's a Long Way to Tipperary!"
--p. 39: An "early proponent of the tank," eh? Young Sir Winston and young Lt. George Patton would've gotten along well!
--p. 42: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 9th (Scottish) Division, och aye laddie!
--p. 50: Lowland Scots--as in Scots-Irish?
--p. 112: "in fact, losses amongst generals and staff officers were as high in the First World War as they were in the second." Oh really? From which source(s) did the author get that particular tidbit? And if so, how high were those losses really--both aggregate numbers and percentage-wise--compared to say, the American Civil War (wherein general officers' casualty rates were comparable to those of privates)?
--pp. 115-116: Churchill more lax about discipline than other officers: "'I'm afraid the men began to realise that they might at least once indulge themselves in the luxury of telling their sergeants to go to hell,' he [Gibb] recalled."
December 6, 2019
Good history
Enjoyed reading how Churchill himself was in the trenches as a common soldier sharing their experiences and informing London. The experience helped him as Prime minister 25 years later in leading the fight against Hitler
Enjoyed reading how Churchill himself was in the trenches as a common soldier sharing their experiences and informing London. The experience helped him as Prime minister 25 years later in leading the fight against Hitler
July 10, 2018
Short History of a war experience by a Great Man
I've read much about and by Winston Churchill. This capsule of his experiences as a brigade leader after he resigned from Asquith's cabinet is well done in it's brevity. This experience served to further refine Churchill's ability to save war and linked his persona to the common man as well as to the nobility and royalty. Mr. Apps stays focused on Churchill in a way that brings out this leader's humanity, such as how he shared the food delicacies and the "tin bathtub" with other other officers and common soldiers. He never quit showing his interest in What was happening in the trenches, and those under his command were mostly truly find of him in contrast to many commanders with upper class arrogance that made life more dangerous.
Despite the book being well written, there are too many errors. But I've come to the point that I anticipate ebooks will have less than accurate proofreading. I wish these cringe moments would be eliminated and stop justifying shoddy work for other writers to emulate.
I've read much about and by Winston Churchill. This capsule of his experiences as a brigade leader after he resigned from Asquith's cabinet is well done in it's brevity. This experience served to further refine Churchill's ability to save war and linked his persona to the common man as well as to the nobility and royalty. Mr. Apps stays focused on Churchill in a way that brings out this leader's humanity, such as how he shared the food delicacies and the "tin bathtub" with other other officers and common soldiers. He never quit showing his interest in What was happening in the trenches, and those under his command were mostly truly find of him in contrast to many commanders with upper class arrogance that made life more dangerous.
Despite the book being well written, there are too many errors. But I've come to the point that I anticipate ebooks will have less than accurate proofreading. I wish these cringe moments would be eliminated and stop justifying shoddy work for other writers to emulate.
December 26, 2017
Pretty good short book (Kindle Single) focused on Churchill's time in WW1 -- after the Gallipoli disaster, where he was forced out of government. He went to France and was commander (as a Lt Col) of an understrength battalion (6th Bn of the Royal Scots Fusiliers) while continuing to agitate politically in the UK by letter, by using his wife as proxy, and when on frequent leave. What struck me was just how little effort a unit commander could put into running his unit at the front, and how this was apparently tolerated; I'm happy we have a professional officer corps rather than political appointees in the modern US military. It was apparently really weird even then to have someone as famous and politically powerful as even a disgraced Churchill serving as a field grade officer, though, to the extent that his men often assumed he was a General (as he wore civilian clothes, maybe it was more plausible).
June 28, 2019
Promising, but unfulfilling
An interesting look at an often overlooked time in Churchill’s life and career, this book suffers from an over reliance on the letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, and a boatload of typos. Sources such as the letters of the participants in events are certainly a great help to an author’s narrative, but here they are not always contextualized very well. The typos I noted consisted mainly of incorrect word choices that must have snuck in during the editing process (for instance, “new missions workers” instead of “munitions workers”). Still a quick enough read to be worthwhile as an overview of Winston Churchill’s role in World War I.
An interesting look at an often overlooked time in Churchill’s life and career, this book suffers from an over reliance on the letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, and a boatload of typos. Sources such as the letters of the participants in events are certainly a great help to an author’s narrative, but here they are not always contextualized very well. The typos I noted consisted mainly of incorrect word choices that must have snuck in during the editing process (for instance, “new missions workers” instead of “munitions workers”). Still a quick enough read to be worthwhile as an overview of Winston Churchill’s role in World War I.
July 1, 2018
Interesting Read
I enjoyed this book and found it interesting. It does not get down to specifics of what was going on in WWI so without a previous knowledge of WWI events I could see how one would get lost in this book. Also without an understanding of British politics one would struggle to understand the political intentions of Churchill mentioned throughout the book. Overall a good read though.
I enjoyed this book and found it interesting. It does not get down to specifics of what was going on in WWI so without a previous knowledge of WWI events I could see how one would get lost in this book. Also without an understanding of British politics one would struggle to understand the political intentions of Churchill mentioned throughout the book. Overall a good read though.
December 6, 2017
Nice read about the man Winston Churchhill. It rings perspective to the first Great War. Now that we’re coming on the hundred year anniversary of that war is time to remember it in the people who fought it.
Time to remember the people who fought this war. For All those soldiers from United States still buried over there.
Time to remember the people who fought this war. For All those soldiers from United States still buried over there.
December 7, 2017
Awesome Read- an amazing insight into the foundation of what would make Churchill the savior of the free world. The writing was concise and fluid with many little insights into his mind
Awesome Read- an amazing insight into the foundation of what would make Churchill the savior of the free world. The writing was concise and fluid with many little insights into his mind
Awesome Read- an amazing insight into the foundation of what would make Churchill the savior of the free world. The writing was concise and fluid with many little insights into his mind
June 7, 2017
Very informative read about an amazing historical figure.
Worthwhile short read about an amazing figure in history. Also a glimpse at how his wife had a profound affect on his success.
Worthwhile short read about an amazing figure in history. Also a glimpse at how his wife had a profound affect on his success.
December 10, 2017
Great background on Churchills professional development.
Very good historical information about early experiences of Churchill. I am a better admirer of Churchill now that I have read this book.
Very good historical information about early experiences of Churchill. I am a better admirer of Churchill now that I have read this book.
January 5, 2018
Captivating
This was a really good read for Churchill’s early career. It details how compassionate he was about his men that held the front lines in those World War One trenches. He truly was a great man.
This was a really good read for Churchill’s early career. It details how compassionate he was about his men that held the front lines in those World War One trenches. He truly was a great man.
July 8, 2018
Slow
The book was slow, not terribly interesting, and only slightly entertaining. Would have been upset if I had paid for it. Wouldn’t recommend it. Plenty of other good books on WC.
The book was slow, not terribly interesting, and only slightly entertaining. Would have been upset if I had paid for it. Wouldn’t recommend it. Plenty of other good books on WC.
July 8, 2018
Hard to put down.
This book gives you an insight into Winston Churchill's time during the first World War. As you get that background, you understand some of his decisions during the second World War.
This book gives you an insight into Winston Churchill's time during the first World War. As you get that background, you understand some of his decisions during the second World War.
February 1, 2019
20th century legend
This was a short well written book. Churchill is a fascinating historical figure. His leadership was unique and seemed to be perfect for the time. After reading this book and Millards book,"Hero of the Republic", I feel that I have a better sense of this man.
This was a short well written book. Churchill is a fascinating historical figure. His leadership was unique and seemed to be perfect for the time. After reading this book and Millards book,"Hero of the Republic", I feel that I have a better sense of this man.
August 2, 2020
Such a sincere desire to write a hagiography to another war criminal! Somehow this double-chinned demigod was serving under the same rules as the ones who had to choose between hanging and what later turned out to be a slow death in no man's land.
December 26, 2016
Its OK
It details his efforts in WW1 all with the goal of recapturing political power. I was expecting more but it was fine.
It details his efforts in WW1 all with the goal of recapturing political power. I was expecting more but it was fine.
January 5, 2018
I have always admired Churchill, and I enjoy reading about his life. While the content of this short read intrigued me, I found the style halting and sometimes difficult to follow.
February 20, 2018
Interesting look at his WWI army experience.
May 15, 2018
Nothing new here. I've read The Last Lion trilogy so found this a repeat of what I already knew.
June 3, 2018
Enjoyed reading
Good accounts from various sources of early Churchill. It has good personal details an is a short easy read. Good book.
Good accounts from various sources of early Churchill. It has good personal details an is a short easy read. Good book.
June 21, 2018
A great look at WWI and Churchills participation.
July 14, 2018
Overall commentary
Starting to read (reread) about Churchill, this book gave me a look into a personal view point about how one thinks about war and his life.
Starting to read (reread) about Churchill, this book gave me a look into a personal view point about how one thinks about war and his life.
July 27, 2018
The Great War
A realistic insight into a brief part of the "Great War".Churchill went on to see firsthand what the Allied soldiers were part of.
A realistic insight into a brief part of the "Great War".Churchill went on to see firsthand what the Allied soldiers were part of.
December 1, 2018
Excellent
Detailed specifics on Churchill’s life in the front lines. I enjoyed the book and how it vividly portrays Churchill’s demeanor amongst his friends and family.
Detailed specifics on Churchill’s life in the front lines. I enjoyed the book and how it vividly portrays Churchill’s demeanor amongst his friends and family.
July 26, 2019
I got to learn more about Churchill, how he faced adversity, and how important his wife was to him. I especially enjoyed reading about his time in the trenches with his men. It was a very good book!
December 31, 2020
Pleasant flow
Well written with a nice flow. Apps does a good job of explaining the important facts and figures (people) and their relation throughout. A good read for non historians too.
Well written with a nice flow. Apps does a good job of explaining the important facts and figures (people) and their relation throughout. A good read for non historians too.
February 4, 2021
An interesting look at different side of Churchill...
February 20, 2017
A damn fine little book on a lesser known part of Churchill's career. This was the first Kindle Single I've read that was actually good. Kudos to the author.
December 20, 2016
My actual rating for this book is 3.5 stars, rounded to 3 for GR. This biography of Churchill did not focus on his political career and popularity, but instead on the time he spent in the trenches during the war. It gave a glimpse into his life before he gained power and fame and the time he spent with the soldiers. It focused a lot on his struggles during this time when he was trying to establish himself and a prominent figure, and a lot of the criticisms he faced during his time in the war. It also gave a good view into how being away in the war, on his own volition, affected his relationship with his wife and family. The book included snippets from Churchill's letters to his wife, as well as parts of her letters to him. I thought it was well-done to incorporate not just his letters and own words but his wife's too. This gave a view other than just his and showed how his personal life was being affected. Due to the book being rather short (around 100 pages) a lot of facts were crammed into it so it became a little difficult to read at times. There were also some grammatical errors that bugged me a bit. Overall it was an informative read that gave a glimpse into Churchill before he became such a political figure.
November 19, 2015
Most people knowledgeable about Churchill view him as a towering World War II leader. That he was, but he was an important political figure during even the First World War. He was, that is, until what appeared to be his downfall following the debacle at Gallipoli.
Winston decided to restore his military reputation by serving in the Flanders trenches, witnessing bombs, bullets and bivouac firsthand.
Apps book crisply narrates that 1-year period on Churchill's career, delineating not only how if effected Churchill's comeback, but his appreciation for frontline life that served him well decades later. Perhaps a bit plot-heavy, but still connecting the reader with a life both dangerous and dreary for those who served.
Winston decided to restore his military reputation by serving in the Flanders trenches, witnessing bombs, bullets and bivouac firsthand.
Apps book crisply narrates that 1-year period on Churchill's career, delineating not only how if effected Churchill's comeback, but his appreciation for frontline life that served him well decades later. Perhaps a bit plot-heavy, but still connecting the reader with a life both dangerous and dreary for those who served.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews