Churchill: The Life
An authorised pictorial biography
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- £2.99
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- £2.99
Publisher Description
When Winston Spencer Churchill was born in 1874. No one could have predicted the path that lay ahead. But, as it turned out, from Winston's undistinguished academic career to his front-line experiences as a soldier and journalist whether in India, Sudan or Cuba, and during the Boer War or in the trenches of World War I; through his unparalleled political career with all its ups and downs; to his 'finest hour' leading Britain during World War II, he was never to be far from the world's attention.
Now the boy, the soldier, the writer, the orator, the politician, the statesman and the family man are all brought to life in this absorbing illustrated book. Featuring both letters to 'Mama' from the homesick - but rebellious - schoolboy and telegrams to Stalin, it highlights some of the most gripping communications from the Churchill Archives. Facsimiles of hand-annotated speech notes are paired with fascinating memorabilia, such as the poster for the reward for his capture during the Boer War, a specimen of one of his infamous cigars, a favourite gramophone record and his Parliamentary despatch box. This book also showcases pictures from his family photograph collection, providing a more intimate portrait of Churchill the husband, the family man and even Churchill the animal lover. Exhaustively researched, Churchill: The Life includes previously unpublished images - such as Winston as a cadet at Harrow and his casket's final journey into Bladon cemetery - as well as rare images of him as a baby and specially shot artefacts from family archives.
Together with his unique selection of images, acclaimed historian Max Arthur's evocative and insightful narrative text gets to the core of Winston's character, using his own words and those of some of those closest to him, to provide a comprehensive study of the man and his life. This is a stunning tribute to a remarkable man.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This authorized pictorial biography by British oral historian Arthur (The Faces of World War I) provides an intimate portrait of Churchill by examining photographs and documents (some previously unpublished) from each phase in the former British prime minister's life. Arthur traces developments in Churchill's family particularly his relationship with his wife, Clementine and his political career. First elected to the parliament in 1900, Churchill played an active role in British politics for more than five decades until he resigned from the position of prime minister in 1955. Arthur stresses the importance of his legacy by including images of Churchill participating in major historical events such as the Yalta Conference in 1945. He provides illuminating commentary on some photographs, but often allows the historical figures to speak for themselves. Quotations from Churchill, his family, friends, and colleagues appear throughout the book, enabling the reader to understand how Churchill's contemporaries viewed him while also hearing echoes of his own words. This unique compilation of documents, visually stunning photographs, and personal details will appeal to avid fans of Churchill and casual readers who want to learn more about this influential man.