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Churchill: The Struggle for Survival 1945-60
The second edition in the landmark reissue of the diaries of Winston Churchill's doctor, devoted friend, and confidant, Lord Moran, present a frank and intimate portrait of the Prime Minister from the tumultuous post-World War II years all the way up to his death in January 1965. In his unique position as a companion to Churchill throughout virtually his entire career as a statesman, Moran sheds new light on the controversies that precipitated Churchill's eventual fall from grace after the War, presenting an invaluable picture of a complicated, contradictory individual: stubborn, defiant, prideful, yet possessing an undeniable strength and nobility. Moran chronicles not only the key political events of Churchill's last twenty years—his legendary Iron Curtain speech, his triumphant return to power in 1951 and his ensuing role in the unfolding political landscape of the Cold War era—but also Churchill's place as a Nobel Prize winning historian, voracious traveler, and enigmatic father and husband. What we get with the Churchill Diaries is an absolutely indispensable first-hand document of one of the most towering historical figures of the 20th century.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 1, 2008
Churchill's doctor and also his Boswell. Churchill would pontificate to his entourage and several of them kept detailed diaries. We know, for instance, how he erupted with delight when the Japanes attacked Pearl Harbour. "We have won. We can't lose now." Or his disappointment when he calculated the amount of whiskey he had consumed in his life to discover it was not even a full railway car.
April 22, 2024
Lord Moran, Sir Charles Wilson was Winston Churchills' doctor from 1940 to 1965. When Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940, members of his cabinet felt he was so essential to the war that they appointed Lord Moran to "keep an eye on his health". Everywhere he went, in England or various times when he was in the US, Canada, Teheran, The Crimean, and other places, Lord Moran was with him. Churchill was not pleased about this but over the next 65 years they developed a bond.
When Churchill was most elderly, after several stokes, at least one heart attack, and various other disorders, he retired on April 5, 1955. He died ten years later at age 91.
This is the diary of both Winston Churchill's health, life, and war. Lord Moranis an intellectual man who writes about his patient through his days of glory and days of struggle, when he was the savior of the world and when he was no longer useful to any. While this may seem like a depressing book, it is not.
When Churchill was most elderly, after several stokes, at least one heart attack, and various other disorders, he retired on April 5, 1955. He died ten years later at age 91.
This is the diary of both Winston Churchill's health, life, and war. Lord Moranis an intellectual man who writes about his patient through his days of glory and days of struggle, when he was the savior of the world and when he was no longer useful to any. While this may seem like a depressing book, it is not.
October 27, 2021
A very long account of Churchill's life from 1940 on. While a great and necessary wartime leader, the essential paradox is to contrast that with the racism and imperialism, the inattention to detail, the complete lack of empathy for any other human that can only be described as psychopathic. He was only able to remotely function with a high level of drugs provided by the author, and regularly peaks of them in an infantile and callow way.
March 8, 1955 - Churchill was PM: "I would like you to listen to my chest. I have an idea there might be something there. I took my temperature twice last night. I kept it in my mouth for five minutes on both occasions, but it was two degrees below normal. Isn't that dangerous? I have been using the menthol and cocaine spray. I let it trickle down Adenoid Avenue; it does a lot of good." Yeah Winston, I'll bet it does.
March 8, 1955 - Churchill was PM: "I would like you to listen to my chest. I have an idea there might be something there. I took my temperature twice last night. I kept it in my mouth for five minutes on both occasions, but it was two degrees below normal. Isn't that dangerous? I have been using the menthol and cocaine spray. I let it trickle down Adenoid Avenue; it does a lot of good." Yeah Winston, I'll bet it does.
March 7, 2021
Churchill’s physician, Lord Moran, was an excellent writer. That makes this tale of an old man’s physical and mental decline a page turner. It’s not a published diary. Rather, Moran’s diary entries are the source material he uses to describe Churchill’s life and infirmities. The first third of the book, covering the war years, may be of most interest to many people. The much greater part is taken up by the postwar years, which provide a picture of Churchill as one who lived for politics. Even as his decline became more apparent, Churchill dreaded retirement. The period during his second premiership when the question of “when will he go” was asked daily is the only point when the book somewhat drags. In the end, a sad but inevitable story.
February 7, 2025
This book could have ended after about the 1st 400 pages. It was a quick read during the war years, but it dragged on after Churchill started having strokes and devolved into nothing more than documenting his daily medical examinations after he left Parliament.
My big takeaway was that it was a good example of a man holding on to power for too long. He couldn't accept that others could be up to the task even after he was severely infirm. It seems to be a common problem among the powerful and elite. They can't accept when it's time to ride off into the sunset.
My big takeaway was that it was a good example of a man holding on to power for too long. He couldn't accept that others could be up to the task even after he was severely infirm. It seems to be a common problem among the powerful and elite. They can't accept when it's time to ride off into the sunset.
January 30, 2018
I just loved this book. Running all over the Mediterranean with Dr. Charles Moran as he cared for Winston during his pursuit of allies was high adventure at its finest. Just saw the recent film on Prime Minister Winston Churchill, which is about this pivitol time in history and a great compliment to this book. I was watching for Lord Morans' character but no, I did not see one.
September 29, 2018
Enjoyed the more personal insights of Churchill. The book was choppy though given that there were many days with no diary entries. Wish the author had filled in more of the gaps than he did with his own narrative. In many ways, WC was a baby about his health, but it is remarkable also how much he accomplished even while feeling less than par.
December 15, 2023
Long time since I read it, never updated it. Pretty interesting insights about the life of an icon.
August 2, 2023
Men are born free, and face struggle. Winston Churchill is inevitable, and he had a justice that political science is the “master science”, in the context the social science, and political science refers to an important and popular field of study. My review from the author Lord Moran’s diary of the Iron Man’s personal doctor. The beautiful London drew in deep sorrow, the residents of London lost their confidence, skyrise buildings are falling, the Thames River froze, Lilies withered, and totally the London was surrounded with death fear. But there was a stentorian voice airing from the distance “Dear fellow London, I am confident, I never disparate, I will defeat, and restore London…”. That confident speech of Churchill pore honey into the ears of London is the field study of Churchill’s struggle with public life.
Dr. Lord’s diary comments in chapter four that PM Churchill severely apprehended by struggle during his stay in the White House for Europe invasion and the PM unable to accept others decisions or unfit to make self-decision, but he is taking enough risks, but neither argue the points nor change the plans. Why Churchill became an iconic figure in the world (either good or bad), his personality, leadership quality, civil/military motivation of the marveled man’s boyish enthusiasm, vitality, and terrific vocabulary.
The author’s unique position as a companion to Churchill throughout virtually his entire career as a statesman, the author sheds new light on the controversies that participated Churchill’s eventual fall from grace after the war, presenting an invaluable picture of a complicated, contradictory individual stubborn, defiant, prideful, yet possessing an undeniable strength and nobility. The master-minded Churchill’s key talent of the two decades of his political career is his legendary iron curtain speech, his triumphant return to power in 1951, and his remarkable role in the no-surrender political landscape of the Cold War. The confident and never-give-up policy of Churchill’s leadership made vibrant shock to the world leaders including his negotiation skills, policy-making for warfare, and try to implement peacemaking by integrating the British colonial countries to accept the Victorian government’s political manifesto related to the war and turned two third of the world countries to the British side including mighty America with CIA and officials.
Churchill is a craftsman of political science, his speech reaches the people's hearts with physical expression with a stentorian voice. The author narrates the PM’s program at Harvard University and how he was impressed his ceremonial attire and managed the situation. According to Bismarck, the PM pointed the common English-speaking tongue of both British and America will form a “common citizenship”, that enthusiasm projects extreme confident in how prudently, where the audience prepared for its appearance. His smart thoughts will turn into consistency, identifying the one master ball out of the bunch of lie balls, which means should catch only the master sentence is a spy sent out to get the lie of the land.
Churchill understood the idea about politics and government and the influence and impact, but the solidarity of the leadership is a “game plan” with the knowledge of public affairs. The author’s reflection on which all divisions depended on human activity. Democratic politics is a brand of the country that is incorporated with a broad practice. Churchill carries forwarded this to the mass that’s why he recognized the greatest statesman of the 20th century, and perhaps of any century. The author’s sentiment is intimacy as a doctor, except that the patient happens to be Churchill himself. As a reader what I get with the Churchill Diaries is a crafted historical document of the most immeasurable figure of the past century. And no doubt that his political opinion and leadership spirit embarked on a giant leap in fighting, testing, and negotiants. Based on the diary reading he is the man with walks the talk unto this last. His made-up mind aggerated on serious argument only for stern success with marginal suspense. Thank a lot to my colleague/friend Yasodhara Kapuge for sharing the world's common diary.
Dr. Lord’s diary comments in chapter four that PM Churchill severely apprehended by struggle during his stay in the White House for Europe invasion and the PM unable to accept others decisions or unfit to make self-decision, but he is taking enough risks, but neither argue the points nor change the plans. Why Churchill became an iconic figure in the world (either good or bad), his personality, leadership quality, civil/military motivation of the marveled man’s boyish enthusiasm, vitality, and terrific vocabulary.
The author’s unique position as a companion to Churchill throughout virtually his entire career as a statesman, the author sheds new light on the controversies that participated Churchill’s eventual fall from grace after the war, presenting an invaluable picture of a complicated, contradictory individual stubborn, defiant, prideful, yet possessing an undeniable strength and nobility. The master-minded Churchill’s key talent of the two decades of his political career is his legendary iron curtain speech, his triumphant return to power in 1951, and his remarkable role in the no-surrender political landscape of the Cold War. The confident and never-give-up policy of Churchill’s leadership made vibrant shock to the world leaders including his negotiation skills, policy-making for warfare, and try to implement peacemaking by integrating the British colonial countries to accept the Victorian government’s political manifesto related to the war and turned two third of the world countries to the British side including mighty America with CIA and officials.
Churchill is a craftsman of political science, his speech reaches the people's hearts with physical expression with a stentorian voice. The author narrates the PM’s program at Harvard University and how he was impressed his ceremonial attire and managed the situation. According to Bismarck, the PM pointed the common English-speaking tongue of both British and America will form a “common citizenship”, that enthusiasm projects extreme confident in how prudently, where the audience prepared for its appearance. His smart thoughts will turn into consistency, identifying the one master ball out of the bunch of lie balls, which means should catch only the master sentence is a spy sent out to get the lie of the land.
Churchill understood the idea about politics and government and the influence and impact, but the solidarity of the leadership is a “game plan” with the knowledge of public affairs. The author’s reflection on which all divisions depended on human activity. Democratic politics is a brand of the country that is incorporated with a broad practice. Churchill carries forwarded this to the mass that’s why he recognized the greatest statesman of the 20th century, and perhaps of any century. The author’s sentiment is intimacy as a doctor, except that the patient happens to be Churchill himself. As a reader what I get with the Churchill Diaries is a crafted historical document of the most immeasurable figure of the past century. And no doubt that his political opinion and leadership spirit embarked on a giant leap in fighting, testing, and negotiants. Based on the diary reading he is the man with walks the talk unto this last. His made-up mind aggerated on serious argument only for stern success with marginal suspense. Thank a lot to my colleague/friend Yasodhara Kapuge for sharing the world's common diary.
June 29, 2013
I've always been a touch more than fascinated by Winston Churchill. I thought the man was a brilliant, sarcastic asshole. He was seen as a hero and a strong central figure when Europe was being torn apart by war. I was delighted to find this in an old Reader's Digest compilation on my grandmother's shelves.
I can say that as far as biographies go, it was horrible to read. However, once I took out the expected narrative I found it much more palatable. It still wasn't easy to read, and was very, very boring at times. It's literally like you'd expect reading a diary -- there were periods of time missing, short entries, and only little bits of insight.
Despite this, though, I found it quite interesting to get a "behind the scenes" look at the political environment of the time. I particularly liked reading about the interactions between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. I also rather enjoyed seeing Lord Moran's comments about Churchill, which were always down to earth. In fact, you get the idea at the beginning that Moran was not impressed by Churchill, and even after they became friends, he still rolled his eyes behind the PM's back.
I can say that as far as biographies go, it was horrible to read. However, once I took out the expected narrative I found it much more palatable. It still wasn't easy to read, and was very, very boring at times. It's literally like you'd expect reading a diary -- there were periods of time missing, short entries, and only little bits of insight.
Despite this, though, I found it quite interesting to get a "behind the scenes" look at the political environment of the time. I particularly liked reading about the interactions between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. I also rather enjoyed seeing Lord Moran's comments about Churchill, which were always down to earth. In fact, you get the idea at the beginning that Moran was not impressed by Churchill, and even after they became friends, he still rolled his eyes behind the PM's back.
October 15, 2012
Lord Moran was on the periphery of many of the great events and meetings of the war years as Winston's doctor, without having any direct involvement or influence. However he was a keen observer (a bit of a snoop), and provides a different view of the political decision making in particular during the WWII years, and also during Winston's 1950-55 term as PM.
His great value as a diarist though, is in the access he had to Winston away from his public persona. Lord Moran is a strong and understated writer. He has a story to tell which is sufficiently fascinating and unique as to not require exaggeration or hyperbole. Here is Winston the great statesman, orator, politician, but also the previously unseen somewhat hyperchondriacal man who endured many and varied illnesses over the last third of his long life. The things that struck me most was his almost total lack of self-consciousness, and his strength of mind in willing himself to meet the next challenge.
If you consider yourself a student of Churchill, you studies are incomplete without reading this book.
His great value as a diarist though, is in the access he had to Winston away from his public persona. Lord Moran is a strong and understated writer. He has a story to tell which is sufficiently fascinating and unique as to not require exaggeration or hyperbole. Here is Winston the great statesman, orator, politician, but also the previously unseen somewhat hyperchondriacal man who endured many and varied illnesses over the last third of his long life. The things that struck me most was his almost total lack of self-consciousness, and his strength of mind in willing himself to meet the next challenge.
If you consider yourself a student of Churchill, you studies are incomplete without reading this book.
April 3, 2014
This is probably the most quirky book on Churchill you may read. The book is excerpts from the diary of the man who was appointed to be Churchill's doctor from 1940 to 1965. It's written as one would write in a diary, informally, with some dialogue, asides and opinion.
I admit I have not read it cover to cover, all 877 pages of it. It is not a page turner. It is a diary, excerpted in chronological order, so it is an excellent companion to other biographies. For example, it's value is clear during during the Yalta Diary period, when in 1945 the Yalta meeting was so pivotal in how the post WWII period would play out. You are given a look into how the health of the participants has shaped our world even into the 2100's. So, in many ways it is fascinating, but I like to view books of this ilk as reference. They are wonderful to dip into, but not to be 'read'.
I admit I have not read it cover to cover, all 877 pages of it. It is not a page turner. It is a diary, excerpted in chronological order, so it is an excellent companion to other biographies. For example, it's value is clear during during the Yalta Diary period, when in 1945 the Yalta meeting was so pivotal in how the post WWII period would play out. You are given a look into how the health of the participants has shaped our world even into the 2100's. So, in many ways it is fascinating, but I like to view books of this ilk as reference. They are wonderful to dip into, but not to be 'read'.
November 24, 2020
Churchill: The Struggle for Survival 1945-60 from the Diary of Lord Moran is a wonderful account of Winston Churchill by his physician who traveled with the Prime Minister during an historic period. Lord Moran gives a personal view of this great man who served his country during troubling times. The book is also a behind the scenes account of many historic figures and tells about some of their personalities. It casts a different light on World War II and the interactions with American presidents, Russian rulers and other prominent figures that many history books mention.
I enjoyed reading the story about this great man and I felt that I was able to get a personal view of his life and times.
I enjoyed reading the story about this great man and I felt that I was able to get a personal view of his life and times.
September 21, 2017
I enjoyed this look at a great historical character. He was amazing and gutsy. He was a good man w/a great gift for speaking and leading. He was a bit acerbic and irascible. I think those qualities added to his greatness. He was not afraid to speak his mind. I enjoyed the perspective of his physician. It was written in the form of a diary which was kept by his physician. Churchill's wife hired him to watch over her husband because she worried about her husband's health. He worked tirelessly w/o thought of his health. Learning about Churchill gave me a better understanding of WWII. A good read.
January 3, 2013
A video game I play (Civilization Revolution for Xbox-- I admit it) ranks Churchill as the greatest leader of all time (well, at least the greatest non-playable leader of all time-- he's behind Elizabeth for England, but heck, who can beat Elizabeth?). And as that is about the extent I know of history or biography, this book is an interesting look at a wildly interesting guy.
Am I secretly an anglophile? Probably, but don't give me any fish and chips, thank you very much.
Am I secretly an anglophile? Probably, but don't give me any fish and chips, thank you very much.
February 16, 2015
Text was a bit small. There are so many different political celebrities of the time in it that it's easy to lose track of who is who. Lost interest early on and found myself skipping bits. At 900 odd pages it's a hefty book! The one thing that I picked up on was how little time Churchill actually spent in the UK during the war. He sailed or flew all over the place. I don't know why but that left me feeling a little disappointed with Churchill.
November 29, 2014
There were some parts that I found hard to understand (being not well-versed or rather familiar to US history and politics and WW1). What I found enjoying, though, was the undoubtedly genuine recounts about Lord Churchill by Lord Moran. Being one of the closest friends of Lord Churchill, he was able to reveal his imperfections in contrast to his greatness. Despite that, the readers would still develop a much heightened respect for Lord Churchill.
December 25, 2018
Lord Moran diary entries revealed how remarkable men carefully choose to keep the company of other remarkable men. Winston Churchill's character was vividly alive on paper and the prose was elegant, eloquent and subtly tainted with a good sense of humor shared by the heroic subject of the book and his loyal close friend and the author of this fine book. I came out with tremendous respect for both men. Churchill was an amazing character.
August 10, 2020
It's pretty long & a bit heavy going in places. But I learned a lot about Mr Churchill and about the context of some of the decisions made during & shortly after World War 2.
It's tricky to give it stars, because that valuation will all depend on what you like!
I actually read the hardback edition, which isn't listed.
It's tricky to give it stars, because that valuation will all depend on what you like!
I actually read the hardback edition, which isn't listed.
July 27, 2016
Wonderful book which provides the reader with a front row seat as the life of Churchill and the social and political landscape of the Western world evolves from the despair of Dunkirk to the liberation of Europe and into the brave new world of the sixties.
March 29, 2020
Lord Moran’s diaries are often referenced in biographies of Winston Churchill but I suspect only the true fans have read them. Incredible in the detail and insight they provide to the larger than life persona of Churchill.
June 11, 2008
Very Insightful. It gave me a look into a great leader that we do not hear very much about.
Read
March 4, 2010Winston Churchill: the struggle for survival, 1940-1965; by Charles McMoran Wilson Moran (1968)
February 28, 2013
An interesting book. Found it hard going at times, but enjoyable none the less.
A different perspective on the great man.
A different perspective on the great man.
December 17, 2015
As fascinating and informative as I hoped, without being salacious or revealing too many details.
Read
December 29, 2018dansk udgave
March 8, 2023
Obviously I knew a little about Sir Winston Churchill, but this book showed me even more about his life. It also showed that we aren’t good at learning from history.
October 6, 2008
The more I read about this man the more amazed I become...
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews