Biography

Churchill: Walking with Destiny

Churchill: Walking with Destiny

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  • Create Date：2022-11-08 09:53:36
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
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  • Author：Andrew Roberts
  • ISBN：0141981253
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Summary

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
A SUNDAY TIMES， THE TIMES， ECONOMIST， DAILY TELEGRAPH， EVENING STANDARD， OBSERVER BOOK OF THE YEAR

'Undoubtedly the best single-volume life of Churchill ever written' Dominic Sandbrook， Sunday Times

A magnificently fresh and unexpected biography of Churchill， by one of Britain's most acclaimed historians

Winston Churchill towers over every other figure in twentieth-century British history。 By the time of his death at the age of 90 in 1965， many thought him to be the greatest man in the world。

There have been over a thousand previous biographies of Churchill。 Andrew Roberts now draws on over forty new sources， including the private diaries of King George VI， used in no previous Churchill biography to depict him more intimately and persuasively than any of its predecessors。 The book in no way conceals Churchill's faults and it allows the reader to appreciate his virtues and character in full: his titanic capacity for work （and drink）， his ability see the big picture， his willingness to take risks and insistence on being where the action was， his good humour even in the most desperate circumstances， the breadth and strength of his friendships and his extraordinary propensity to burst into tears at unexpected moments。 Above all， it shows us the wellsprings of his personality - his lifelong desire to please his father （even long after his father's death） but aristocratic disdain for the opinions of almost everyone else， his love of the British Empire， his sense of history and its connection to the present。

During the Second World War， Churchill summoned a particular scientist to see him several times for technical advice。 'It was the same whenever we met'， wrote the young man， 'I had a feeling of being recharged by a source of living power。' Harry Hopkins， President Roosevelt's emissary， wrote 'Wherever he was， there was a battlefront。' Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke， Churchill's essential partner in strategy and most severe critic in private， wrote in his diary， 'I thank God I was given such an opportunity of working alongside such a man， and of having my eyes opened to the fact that occasionally such supermen exist on this earth。'

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Reviews

Vikas Jadon ，

This book is a piece of mastery， greatness and genius。 I thoroughly loved this mammoth book。

Christine Martin ，

At 900 plus pages， this is a daunting book， but is so well researched and written about a most fascinating historical figure。 I highly recommend for anyone interested in knowing more about this fascinating man。

Richard Marshall ，

A well researched， informative and enjoyable account of Churchill’s life and times。 Roberts is careful not to overlook the great man’s failings and to some degree is unstinting in his criticism of those faults。 That said given the author’s background and political sentiments it was always likely that significant criticism would be muted 。 Nevertheless the book is a worthy addition to the canon of outstanding biographies。

Patrick Ma ，

A brilliant book。 It was the first biography about a person outside America that I could understand enough to finish， but maybe that has more to do with the UK's similarities with the US than with superior writing ability。Churchill was so complex， cried a lot， was magnanimous， and was destined for the moment: the author amusingly notes that even Churchill's chauvinism -- his belief that the English people were inherently superior to the rest of the world -- served him well。 It gave him absolute A brilliant book。 It was the first biography about a person outside America that I could understand enough to finish， but maybe that has more to do with the UK's similarities with the US than with superior writing ability。Churchill was so complex， cried a lot， was magnanimous， and was destined for the moment: the author amusingly notes that even Churchill's chauvinism -- his belief that the English people were inherently superior to the rest of the world -- served him well。 It gave him absolute confidence in victory even while the Nazis seemed to have Europe in their grip。 The simplest way to describe Churchill was that he was a great man。He was also peculiarly English: one defining trait of the English is that they say what they think。 Guarded by his social class， Churchill did not need to worry about saying inappropriate things， lest the people throw him out of office。 As de Tocqueville said once， rigid social structures provide fertile grounds for free speech。 Churchill could denounce the overwhelmingly popular policies of appeasement and the let's-punish-Germany mentality of the Treaty of Versailles， confident that he was an English gentleman when he said it and would continue to be one even if everyone thought him a fool。 American politicians keep their eyes on the polls。 Churchill kept his eyes on history。 It's easier to rise in America， but also much easier to fall， and that zips people's mouths shut。If one day free speech disappears from the Earth， I'm sure it will have died last in the English aristocracy。 。。。more

Ron Welch ，

I decided to read this because we will be visiting the Churchill War Rooms in London and Blenheim Palace （his place of birth） later this month。 I had read his history of WW II as a child and had long been interested in his life and times。I have mixed feelings about the book， even though it is considered the best single volume biography of Churchill。 Part of its appeal is that it utilizes the diary of King George VI to convey important information about Churchill during the war， and because of re I decided to read this because we will be visiting the Churchill War Rooms in London and Blenheim Palace （his place of birth） later this month。 I had read his history of WW II as a child and had long been interested in his life and times。I have mixed feelings about the book， even though it is considered the best single volume biography of Churchill。 Part of its appeal is that it utilizes the diary of King George VI to convey important information about Churchill during the war， and because of relatively newly declassified information。The first part of the biography is the best， both providing a thorough story of his colorful life up until WW II， but also viscerally describing his pugnacious， stubborn， incredibly energetic and engaging personality。 From the earliest years he saw himself as a man of destiny， and wrote voluminously about his experiences and those of his heroes as though he was preparing to document his unique role in the history to come。Unfortunately， I felt the chapters covering the war were a disappointment。 The author was so enamored of Churchill that most other key members of the War Cabinet get short shrift and seemed almost as replaceable ciphers。 Moreover， the almost day to day recital of his activities got tedious after a while。 Perhaps I'm biased because I knew about the major theaters of war， and how those battles evolved。 Nevertheless， I believe it is a major shortcoming。After concluding the biography proper， the author provides an afterward chapter that is a brilliant summation of what I had just read。 That alone is worth the price of the book。 。。。more

Dennis Chow ，

A magnificant， comprehensive， readable book。 Roberts is a skilled writter and impressive historian。 Five stars。 Everyone in the Netherlands learns about Churchill at school at a young age， you sort of understand what he did。 But reading this book at 53， in current European times makes you realise how gigantic， important he was。 His persistance。 His views on nazism and communism were right from the start。 We thank our democratic freedom to him。 Of course there is critism， he made mistakes。 But yo A magnificant， comprehensive， readable book。 Roberts is a skilled writter and impressive historian。 Five stars。 Everyone in the Netherlands learns about Churchill at school at a young age， you sort of understand what he did。 But reading this book at 53， in current European times makes you realise how gigantic， important he was。 His persistance。 His views on nazism and communism were right from the start。 We thank our democratic freedom to him。 Of course there is critism， he made mistakes。 But you need to read this book to fully understand the context of those mistakes。 Churchill is without doubt the greatest man of the past century。 。。。more

BT Philips ，

In this biographic tale， be ready for an epic journey that is the culmination of tireless research done by Mr。 Roberts and those that helped him。 It shall take you from the start of Churchill's life to his last breath， with no stone left unturned。I had the privilege to attend a guest appearance by Mr。 Roberts at my school， Texas A&M University， where he gave a fascinating lecture on grand strategy in World War II。 His visit inspired me to purchase this book and read it in the subsequent months。 In this biographic tale， be ready for an epic journey that is the culmination of tireless research done by Mr。 Roberts and those that helped him。 It shall take you from the start of Churchill's life to his last breath， with no stone left unturned。I had the privilege to attend a guest appearance by Mr。 Roberts at my school， Texas A&M University， where he gave a fascinating lecture on grand strategy in World War II。 His visit inspired me to purchase this book and read it in the subsequent months。 I am left with nothing short of a remarkable picture of a remarkable human being。 While ultimately destined for his pivotal role in World War II， Churchill's energetic spirit and constant vision made him a force to be reckoned with the entirety of his career。 Seeing all of his views， strengths， and faults gives me a deeper respect for this historical figure。 Beyond that， Churchill was very much a man of his time and should be judged through those lenses to receive the proper praise and criticism from this modern world。 One thing that particularly impressed me was Churchill's involvement in securing Greece from the dangers of communism at the end of World War II。 Whilst Churchill was the obvious savior Great Britain needed， his political and strategic savvy leave a mark in other places just like Greece where another extension of his legacy lives on today。 。。。more

Julio ，

Churchill fue un héroe y el no se cansa de repetirlo。El libro es demasiado largo y descriptivo。No creo necesario imaginar o saber que pensaba ante cada situación que la vida le planteó， se hace interminable。Para gente con mucha paciencia es recomendable， el fue extraordinario。

Alex Rauket ，

It's good to read an epic book once or twice a year。 This is one to put on the list。 If you are interested in history， leadership， great personalities or engaging biographies this book will not disappoint。 Having finished Roberts's tome on one of the greatest personalities and leaders of the western world， I am sad that I will no longer be able to read it more。 It was engaging and written in a flowing and narrative style that was impossible to put down。 I definitely lost sleep due to this book。 It's good to read an epic book once or twice a year。 This is one to put on the list。 If you are interested in history， leadership， great personalities or engaging biographies this book will not disappoint。 Having finished Roberts's tome on one of the greatest personalities and leaders of the western world， I am sad that I will no longer be able to read it more。 It was engaging and written in a flowing and narrative style that was impossible to put down。 I definitely lost sleep due to this book。 Funny， heartbreaking， inspiring， joyful， thought provoking and overall excellent， this book will make you reevaluate your understanding of leadership and the position of yourself in the world。 。。。more

Neil Lacey ，

Read back to back biographies and found this a lot easier to read， having said that I found some of the chapters too long and felt they could be broken up further to engage the reader as lets face it， it is a heavy going read。 I enjoyed it and as always there are sections that are really engaging some that are not so much based on personal interests。 Overall I enjoyed it and learnt more about the incredible story of this incredible man！

Simon Weinberg ，

Excellent， well researched biography that uses extensive new information from all of Churchills acquaintances and even people he met only once。 Phenomenal work。 Addresses controversies and the cancel culture too。 Love it。

Catherine Mustread ，

Great historical， biographical and political history of Great Britain and the world from the 1890s to the 1950s。

Coy ，

It’s hard to believe this isn’t a fairytale。 What a life！This rivals Roberts’ Napoleon biography， which was also excellent。

David A。 ，

As biographies go， stellar。 Yes， it's long， but Churchill's was a stellar and capacious life， so there was a lot to write about。 Roberts included many of WSC's own words: from his speeches and books as well as the stuff of everyday life。 I ordinarily don't like long books。。。but this one was worth the time and effort。 As biographies go， stellar。 Yes， it's long， but Churchill's was a stellar and capacious life， so there was a lot to write about。 Roberts included many of WSC's own words: from his speeches and books as well as the stuff of everyday life。 I ordinarily don't like long books。。。but this one was worth the time and effort。 。。。more

Jesse ，

I think the single best image in the book may be C’s advisors awkwardly having to report to him while he’s in the bath， but having trouble completing their thoughts because he keeps fully submerging himself underwater。

Heman ，

After having read the exhaustive （and exhausting） William Manchester’s books on Churchill’s life and times I was a bit reluctant to tackle this one。 But Andrew Robert’s masterfully laid out ‘The Last King of America’ convinced me to at least attempt reading ‘Walking with Destiny’。 It was far better than I had expected it to be。 It is also a timely defense of a legacy and a man who was of the ‘race of giants’ The book is long and detailed and is as exhaustive as the man’s life must have been。 Oft After having read the exhaustive （and exhausting） William Manchester’s books on Churchill’s life and times I was a bit reluctant to tackle this one。 But Andrew Robert’s masterfully laid out ‘The Last King of America’ convinced me to at least attempt reading ‘Walking with Destiny’。 It was far better than I had expected it to be。 It is also a timely defense of a legacy and a man who was of the ‘race of giants’ The book is long and detailed and is as exhaustive as the man’s life must have been。 Often in discourse today we forget how everyone is shaped by their times。 And Churchill was definitely a flawed man of his time， but one whose courage and dynamism shines through。 Most of us mortals can not even imagine his zeal and energy。 He was closer to real action and danger than any other war time leader， including Stalin who stayed in Moscow under attack and Hitler who offed himself during the siege of Berlin。 He had to be begged off observing D-day landings from the deck of a battleship。 He flew to Moscow in a circuitous route at the time when the Nazis were masters of Europe and were wining in North Africa。 At that time airplanes were unpressurized and unsafe。 He defied death and accidents on ships traversing U-boat infested waters。 He was in his late 60s and very out of shape for all these exertions。 He had multiple bouts of debilitating pneumonia during his premiership from which he would miraculously recover and he went on to live to be 90 despite smoking like a chimney and consuming swimming pools worth of alcohol。 Quite a few of his speeches even today， are so moving。 His fanciful essay on meeting the ghost of his father （ something I didn’t remember having read ） is so crushingly sad。 You see in him an arrested development of a child， and the spirit of a warrior wrapped in one。 We are living at a time when murmurs and brays of dystopia， mockery and filth of totalitarianism is starting to take hold once again， threatening to overcome us at home and abroad。 By this trajectory very soon （decades at best） things will come to a head。 Yet， I don’t see much other than apathy and hushed indignity thrown around。 We should be so lucky if there are Churchillian roars of stubborn defiance out there in time to rally us to save ourselves once more。 。。。more

Douglas Johnson ，

One of my most admired men of the twentieth century。 The biography goes through his tumultuous relationship with his father， his American mother， his early years， his giant ego and need to save the world （Which one can argue he did）， his mistakes， exile from politics， his overwhelming leadership abilities and relations with other world leaders。 As with a man like this you would expect a very long book， which it is， but well worth the read。

Allison ，

It's OVER！！！I thought that reading this book would be a full introduction and summary to Churchill。 While I can't deny that this is one of the most rigorously researched books I've picked up， it proved to me that there can be such a thing as "too long。" It feels like a biography designed for those who are already intimately familiar with the "legend" aspect of Churchill and provides quotes， anecdotes， and private correspondence to give background to every。 single。 moment。 in。 his。 career。This me It's OVER！！！I thought that reading this book would be a full introduction and summary to Churchill。 While I can't deny that this is one of the most rigorously researched books I've picked up， it proved to me that there can be such a thing as "too long。" It feels like a biography designed for those who are already intimately familiar with the "legend" aspect of Churchill and provides quotes， anecdotes， and private correspondence to give background to every。 single。 moment。 in。 his。 career。This means that it's probably a helpful resource to put in a bibliography or reference for more obscure episodes， but I lost the forest for the trees multiple times。 Major events were not given much more time than minor ones （to the point that I remember Churchill's comments on a faked break-in to test security in a club more than his comments at the end of WWII）。 For those who already have the rhythm and drama of his life down， this is like watching a "behind the scenes" but honestly it was a bit painful to get through。 Research = 5/5Personal Enjoyment = 2/5Presentation of material = 3/5 。。。more

Havard Mela ，

Absolutely amazing！ Learned a lot about history and a great man's life。 Absolutely amazing！ Learned a lot about history and a great man's life。 。。。more

Lawrence Lindsey ，

Great book。

Joel ，

This book has been an absolute pleasure to read。 I had Gilbert's one volume biography and could never get into it， but this one was endlessly fascinating。 The fact that Roberts had access to the King's detailed diaries provides a fresh perspective on Churchill's innermost thoughts during the most consequential time of his life and his country in the 20th Century。 I found reading about his childhood almost as riveting as reading about World War II。 It's long and there are times that are slower th This book has been an absolute pleasure to read。 I had Gilbert's one volume biography and could never get into it， but this one was endlessly fascinating。 The fact that Roberts had access to the King's detailed diaries provides a fresh perspective on Churchill's innermost thoughts during the most consequential time of his life and his country in the 20th Century。 I found reading about his childhood almost as riveting as reading about World War II。 It's long and there are times that are slower than others where you have to commit to continuing， but if you do， you will be rewarded with a fascinating story about a great man。 。。。more

Michael Baker ，

Best bio I've read this year。 Churchill's character shines throughout。 The early years provide tremendous insight into his WWII actions， which events are sitting waiting in the middle of the book to give it an added， unnecessary shot of adrenaline。 I would read another 800 pages for each of the essential relationships he kept - FDR， King George， Eden， Lloyd George。 Best bio I've read this year。 Churchill's character shines throughout。 The early years provide tremendous insight into his WWII actions， which events are sitting waiting in the middle of the book to give it an added， unnecessary shot of adrenaline。 I would read another 800 pages for each of the essential relationships he kept - FDR， King George， Eden， Lloyd George。 。。。more

Nikko ，

At a time when we desperately need great leaders and the search for them feels quixotic， this was an invigorating thousand pages。 It is actually a superb biography and in many ways deserves 5 stars。 But having read Manchester and Reid’s The Last Lion three volume profile of Churchill， i’d sooner recommend those volumes over this， as good as it is。

John Schmitt ，

I am giving this book 5 stars because of the status of Churchill himself and the difficulty of taking on the task。 Roberts does a masterful job of tackling the story of a legend， a larger-than-life individual who had great successes & failures， but who emerged from the maelstrom of 20th century global meltdown madness with his honor & triumphs intact。 Some have greatness thrust upon them - others are groomed for it。 Churchill eerily knew his own destiny even as a teenager， and Roberts weaves thi I am giving this book 5 stars because of the status of Churchill himself and the difficulty of taking on the task。 Roberts does a masterful job of tackling the story of a legend， a larger-than-life individual who had great successes & failures， but who emerged from the maelstrom of 20th century global meltdown madness with his honor & triumphs intact。 Some have greatness thrust upon them - others are groomed for it。 Churchill eerily knew his own destiny even as a teenager， and Roberts weaves this self awareness as a theme throughout the narrative。 A must read for the historically minded， and for those who are watching the international chess matches of today。 A good question might be “What would Winston do？”， and this biography might be instructive to supplying some answers。 。。。more

harry ，

WHY WAS THIS SO LONG！！！ There were fun parts， but I think I was more impressed than enamoured by this。 I think it’s so impressive as an entity and aspect of research， it just wasn’t that fun。

Ansgar ，

Excellent！

Susan ，

This big bruiser of a book （almost 1000 pages excluding bibliography） is certainly a complete history of the remarkable man。 I expected to skim over some of it， but I rarely did so--I found it readable and interesting。 Sometimes I chuckled at his quips and other times I teared up reading some of his moving speeches。 I read this in preparation for a London based tour we will be taking next month， "Churchill's Britain"。 This big bruiser of a book （almost 1000 pages excluding bibliography） is certainly a complete history of the remarkable man。 I expected to skim over some of it， but I rarely did so--I found it readable and interesting。 Sometimes I chuckled at his quips and other times I teared up reading some of his moving speeches。 I read this in preparation for a London based tour we will be taking next month， "Churchill's Britain"。 。。。more

Rocky ，

Probably the best biography that I have read。

Elizabeth ，

1

Bob Conrod ，

I’ve not read many biographies but I’m sure this must rank as one of the best。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Churchill: Walking with Destiny

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Churchill: Walking with Destiny&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Churchill: Walking with Destiny&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0