The Churchill Factor
How One Man Made History
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4.5 • 34 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
From London’s inimitable mayor, Boris Johnson, the story of how Churchill’s eccentric genius shaped not only his world but our own.
On the fiftieth anniversary of Churchill’s death, Boris Johnson celebrates the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays—with characteristic wit and passion—a man of contagious bravery, breathtaking eloquence, matchless strategizing, and deep humanity.
Fearless on the battlefield, Churchill had to be ordered by the king to stay out of action on D-Day; he pioneered aerial bombing and few could match his experience in organizing violence on a colossal scale, yet he hated war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was the most famous journalist of his time and perhaps the greatest orator of all time, despite a lisp and chronic depression he kept at bay by painting. His maneuvering positioned America for entry into World War II, even as it ushered in England’s post-war decline. His openmindedness made him a trailblazer in health care, education, and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect. Most of all, he was a rebuttal to the idea that history is the story of vast and impersonal forces; he is proof that one person—intrepid, ingenious, determined—can make all the difference.
Customer Reviews
Best Book on Churchill
I am not a fan of historical books. They bore me with details and no story. This book is not like that. It is very entertaining and a delight to read. At the same time it is packed with information that blends easily into the dialogue. Boris needs to continue to write similar books for us eager readers.
The Churchill Factor
A real jewel on the life & influence of WC
It needs a glossary for all the "erudite" words
Churchill Factor glossary
Conundrum - riddle
lissom - thin, supple, graceful
plangent- loud
panache-flambount
Elysian -heavenly
stele - vascular cylinder
titfer- a hat
transmogrifying - transformer
rumbustious - unruly
hyperbolical
confected
effulgent
mordant
Falstaffian
poseur
potations
apocryphal
Franglais
bugger
queuetopia
unsordid
dodgy
tripe
bolshy
Whiggish Toryism.
avuncular
mollycoddled
philoprogenitive
eirenic
prescient
cant
calumnies
ossuaries
rectitude
rubicund
Junkers
Boadicea
satrapy
Cassandra
charnel-house
polemicists
Ploegsteert
Stella
hoplites
chivvy
sponsons
antediluvian
bowsers
trebuchet
boffins
wonk
twig
Kriegsmarine
Stilton-eating
scupper
rosbifs
perfidious Albion
lighter
pellucid
elided
The Churchill Factor
Mayor Johnson endeavors to bring forth the high point accomplishments of Churchill, placing these key points in history not just in the context of their in-situ effect but results as seen in today's British and American culture, politics, and development. Well written and in the style Johnson thinks, writes, and speaks, it does go a bit far making the case for Churchill as the main player in the mid-1900's. You can take exception to some of his statements but you have to agree main conclusion. Churchill mattered and acted when others dared not too.