Churchill: A Study in Greatness
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One of the glorious triumvirate of World War II and founder of the strong Anglo-American friendship that is still apparent today, Winston Churchill stands out in history as a man who led his country through one of its most difficult times, with all of the steadfastness of a fierce and loyal bulldog. Churchill was already recognized as the most diversely gifted man in British politics before, at the ripe old age of 66, he suddenly emerged as a figure of world importance. Becoming Prime Minister on the very day in 1940 that Hitler invaded France and the Low Countries, he braced the British people to continue fighting and even to counterattack the, up to that point, all-victorious Germans. A clever and confident statesman, with an obvious love for the people he served, for years Churchill's character went unchallenged and his inspiring leadership left him above criticism. Recently, however, his record has come under attack. In Churchill: A Study in Greatness, one of Britain's most distinguished historians makes sense of this extraordinary man, and his long, controversial, colorful, contradictory and heroic career. Geoffrey Best illuminates both his strengths and his weaknesses, looking past the many received versions of Churchill, in a biography that balances the private and the public man and offers a clear insight into what made him truly great.
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| 02-16-08 | 5 | (NA) |
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this book by geoffrey best will rank as one of the greatest book ever written about churchill full of wise summations and not too long thi work is recommended by the churchill society . for sure one of the very best one volume work
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-05 00:07:35 EST)
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| 12-23-07 | 5 | (NA) |
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Best nos presenta una panorámica de la vida de Churchill. Algunos capítulos están mas inspiradoa que otros. Trata de mostrar una perspectiva imparcial del personaje aunque claramente se comprueba que le admira grandemente, pero no tanto como a su esposa Clementine. La extensión de la parte que corresponde a la segunda guerra mundial es mucho mas amplia (quizás la mitad del libro). Casi no responde las preguntas o dudas sobre asuntos controversiales que existen sobre la vida de este personaje.
Como se comprende, al escribir sobre Churchill es necesario mostrar una parte de la hisoria de GB y del mundo pero esta se queda corta a veces para ayudar a comprender a cabalidad la circunstancias que rodearon a los hechos. En general el texto es bueno, muy bien redactado, fácilmente comprensible. Algunos artículos mas inspirados que otros pero todos interesantes. (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-02-22 13:52:10 EST)
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| 09-11-06 | 5 | 3\3 |
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A very readable book that provides balanced and insightful coverage of the whole of Churchill's life. I would highly recommend this book either to those who have not previously read much about Churchill or equally to those who have read other Churchill biographies or war histories and wish to take a fresh look. Of particular value is the way that the author take the occasional opportunity to dispel certain myths and revisionist ideas about Churchill.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-12-24 11:27:54 EST)
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| 09-10-06 | 5 | 1\1 |
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A very readable book that provides balanced and insightful coverage of the whole of Churchill's life. I would highly recommend this book either to those who have not previously read much about Churchill or equally to those who have read other Churchill biographies or war histories and wish to take a fresh look. Of particular value is the way that the author take the occasional opportunity to dispel certain myths and revisionist ideas about Churchill.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-04-10 12:57:03 EST)
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| 06-21-06 | 3 | 5\5 |
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Not a true biography but more than just a compilation of essays concerning Churchill's life and times, the author provides us with a 300+ page synopsis/chronology with a sprinkling of his thoughts, insights and conclusions. I found nothing new or "earth-shattering" here. On the other hand it makes a nice supplement, (i.e. much like Meachem's book on FDR and Churchill), to biographys/books I have read. If you are looking for a full-fledged bio start elsewhere, (Manchester or Gilbert), and if your interest is piqued as mine was, come back to this one.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-10 09:10:14 EST)
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| 06-20-06 | 3 | 1\1 |
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Not a true biography but more than just a compilation of essays concerning Churchill's life and times, the author provides us with a 300+ page synopsis/chronology with a sprinkling of his thoughts, insights and conclusions. I found nothing new or "earth-shattering" here. On the other hand it makes a nice supplement, (i.e. much like Meachem's book on FDR and Churchill), to biographys/books I have read. If you are looking for a full-fledged bio start elsewhere, (Manchester or Gilbert), and if your interest is piqued as mine was, come back to this one.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-09-11 13:05:57 EST)
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| 01-09-05 | 5 | 24\24 |
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A compact biography (384 pages) by Oxford Historian Geoffrey Best is far and away the best I have read on Churchill. The many facets of Churchill's life are covered in a series of essays from the author. Best summarizes Churchill's life with clarity and high degree of accuracy.
If you're looking for a comprehensive study on Churchill, this isn't it. You won't find page after page of stilted verbiage here, but you will find a well written presentation of this fascinating man, perhaps the savior of England. If it is possible to write a detailed account of such a varied figure within the brevity of such a small volume, the author has done so admirably. Though the author clearly admires the subject, this isn't just another "I love Churchill" book. Best gives a fair and balanced account of many areas where Churchill may have erred, such as Gallipolli. The book is fair, and it is no-nonsense, to the point, without a lot of ambivalent inflection. I have a number of volumes on the life and times of Churchill. I may go to other volumes for research purposes, but this is probably the most enjoyable read I have encountered on the man. Monty Rainey www.juntosociety.com (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-10 09:10:14 EST)
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| 11-30-04 | 4 | 6\7 |
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The author (Geoffrey Best) is British and that stands out clearly in this volume, especially in the first few chapters. He comes across stuffy, somewhat pompous, and perhaps too conservative. However, as the work progresses the substance of the story of the Great Man and the events surrounding his life come to the fore, and the author falls to the rear. All told, one ends up in possession of a fine, well balanced biography, though lacking in depth. I found the work entirely suitable to my need for an introduction to Churchill. This book is a broad brush of not an in-depth study.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-10 09:10:14 EST)
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| 11-29-04 | 4 | 2\3 |
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The author (Geoffrey Best) is British and that stands out clearly in this volume, especially in the first few chapters. He comes across stuffy, somewhat pompous, and perhaps too conservative. However, as the work progresses the substance of the story of the Great Man and the events surrounding his life come to the fore, and the author falls to the rear. All told, one ends up in possession of a fine, well balanced biography, though lacking in depth. I found the work entirely suitable to my need for an introduction to Churchill. This book is a broad brush of not an in-depth study.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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| 12-01-03 | 5 | 6\7 |
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Geoffrey Best has realized an impressive tour de force in concisely narrating the life of Winston Churchill in less than 350 pages. Best excels at making a cogent analysis of Churchill's strengths and weaknesses. Churchill knew early on that he was called to great things and made his best to make it happen. Churchill's road to destiny was not straightforward in part because of his own personality. "Churchill: A Study in Greatness" is an invitation to know more about an exceptional man who stands out in world history while most of his critics and detractors have sunk into total oblivion.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-10 09:10:14 EST)
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| 11-30-03 | 5 | 5\6 |
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Geoffrey Best has realized an impressive tour de force in concisely narrating the life of Winston Churchill in less than 350 pages. Best excels at making a cogent analysis of Churchill's strengths and weaknesses. Churchill knew early on that he was called to great things and made his best to make it happen. Churchill's road to destiny was not straightforward in part because of his own personality. "Churchill: A Study in Greatness" is an invitation to know more about an exceptional man who stands out in world history while most of his critics and detractors have sunk into total oblivion.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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| 04-25-03 | 5 | 16\16 |
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Geoffrey Best undertakes an unenviable task with this book. He attempts to capture the life of one of England's greatest leaders in one book. Best is successful in his attempt.
While it is obviously impossible to list all of Churchill's great stories and accomplishments in just over 300 pages, Best is entertaining in his approach. While this chronological tale may be a bit dry to the average reader, those who enjoy history will embrace this book. Best documents Churchill's attitude that he was destined for greatness early in life, discusses many of his war strategies, and is thorough enough to look into Churchill's family and personal life. Many people are unaware of the tragic lives of his three children, all of which are alluded to in this book. There truly is more to this man than is demontrated in the common pictures history books record of him. Churchill worked toward bettering England and world almost unitl his death. This man who was largely self taught played a large role in shaping contemporary Europe even when he was no longer the Prime Miister. Even when his idea of the United States of Europe failed, he continued to be an early proponent of arms control and ending communism. The chapters which discuss his later years are among the most fascinating parts of this book. Books on the life of Churchill can go into much greater detail than this. This book is an excellent starter for learning about the life of Churchill. (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-10 09:10:14 EST)
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| 04-24-03 | 5 | 15\15 |
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Geoffrey Best undertakes an unenviable task with this book. He attempts to capture the life of one of England's greatest leaders in one book. Best is successful in his attempt.
While it is obviously impossible to list all of Churchill's great stories and accomplishments in just over 300 pages, Best is entertaining in his approach. While this chronological tale may be a bit dry to the average reader, those who enjoy history will embrace this book. Best documents Churchill's attitude that he was destined for greatness early in life, discusses many of his war strategies, and is thorough enough to look into Churchill's family and personal life. Many people are unaware of the tragic lives of his three children, all of which are alluded to in this book. There truly is more to this man than is demontrated in the common pictures history books record of him. Churchill worked toward bettering England and world almost unitl his death. This man who was largely self taught played a large role in shaping contemporary Europe even when he was no longer the Prime Miister. Even when his idea of the United States of Europe failed, he continued to be an early proponent of arms control and ending communism. The chapters which discuss his later years are among the most fascinating parts of this book. Books on the life of Churchill can go into much greater detail than this. This book is an excellent starter for learning about the life of Churchill. (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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| 03-02-03 | 3 | 2\11 |
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I bought G Best's book because of its apparently good review in John Lukacs book on WSC.
It probably appeals to readers who want a general read about WSC, but in the sense that it appears to be written from existing book sources, it does not seem to offer any new insights - at least it did not for me. (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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| 04-01-02 | 2 | 5\9 |
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Churchill is one of the most amazing figures of the last century - yet with all of his background to pick from, this book doesn't present much of him.
This is basically the author sort of randomly meandering around through Churchill's life and then stating his opinion of certain decisions Churchill made. And it's done without providing much of a framework for the various events he discusses. I've read a lot about Churchill and yet I was lost at times trying to figure out where/what/when on some of the events. There is a lot better out there (William Manchester's 2 volumes for example). (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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| 11-01-01 | 4 | 26\26 |
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The most important thing to know about Geoffrey Best's "study" of Churchill is that it is exactly that--a well-done and well-argued study or analysis of the great man's life. It is NOT a comprehensive narrative biography, and those who are looking for such a book should look elsewhere. The title itself reveals Best's ultimate conclusions about Churchill, and he is willing--justifiably--to excuse the difficult, overbearing personality of the man (documented in detail in numerous other books) in favor of his accomplishments and energy as the Savior of England.
I enjoyed the book and appreciated Best's ability to encapsulate Churchill's remarkable life in 320 pages. Still, the brevity of the book and Best's no-words-wasted approach leave it wanting in a few respects--most notably, Churchill's great speeches and writings are quoted sparingly, with short excerpts rather than lengthy portions included in the text. This hurts Best's case for "greatness" in my view--Best argues that Churchill was a great speaker and writer (and indeed he was), but he doesn't include enough of Churchill's own words to support this conclusion. Also, the book is roughly chronological, but when World War II is covered, Best shifts to a topic-by-topic approach (Churchill's work in the Blitz, his relationship with France, Roosevelt, Stalin, etc.) that requires that the narrative story of Churchill's life be fast-forwarded and rewound at various points. A bit confusing. Nevertheless, this is overall a good book and a worthy effort. If you do not want to tackle one of the many volumious biographies of Churchill, this view through modern lenses is a good one to try. But if you want a "full portrait" of Churchill, you'll have to start somewhere else. (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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| 09-26-01 | 5 | 18\19 |
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Mr. Geoffrey Best is a remarkable historian and, possibly as important to the reader, a talented writer. Of course the subject of his study, Winston Churchill, is a captivating one: he was the most important politician in the most important country, and the time he had to live through was plenty with momentous events. There are, at least, three reasons which qualify the book as splendid: First, it is magnificently written, so it`s a pleasure to read. Second, it condenses the life of W.C. in just over 300 pages, which is a notable feat considering such a rich and interesting life (of course most of the details cannot be dealt with), and, third, wherever the author comes across a historically conflictive subject -for example the battle of Gallipolli- he gives a balanced opinýon. So Mr. Geoffrey Best succeeds in conveying to us a vivid image of a character whose actions and words are still reflected in our time.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-07-07 14:57:09 EST)
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