A very interesting book
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A biography written by a political insighter. Very readable. Minor mistake on the election period in the Weimar republic. Can be recommended if you want to read more on Churchill otherwise the best short biography is Bests: "Churchill: A study in greatness".
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A Most Interesting Biography
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Churchill by Roy Jenkins is a very readable book with lots of interesting details. It deals with all the major aspects of his life in an interesting and enjoyable style which does not become bogged down in analysis. It also unlike some biographies does not regard Churchill as a perfect prime minister but as the right man for the right time. All in all it is a very good book.
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A great audio presentation
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I listened to the abridged audio presentation of this book and have to say I found it extremely entertaining and informative.
It might have been a risky move to get a comedian/impressionist to narrate this book but it pays off. John Sessions does a great job with the text, bringing to life the quotes of Churchill, Attlee, Stalin etc with his brilliant portrayals.
The text itself is well written and doesn't mind pointing out Churchills flaws as well as his strengths. I'd have preferred some more attention being paid to the years 1939- 1945 as, of course, so much happened then. But it seems to be covered at the same pace as the years before and after.
All in all, an interesting history of a great man.
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Jenkins hits the spot
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I could give you a 6,000 word thesis on this book commenting on Jenkins' style and how appropriate and logical the information is within. However, this is a detailed and almost unbiased account of arguably the most resourceful and witty semi-American / semi-British men in history.
The fact is - for less than £10 and approximately a weeks worth of reading you can learn a great deal about this noble man and his extraordinary adventures (and good fortune) before making your own mind up about him; and Jenkins' effort!
Personally I feel that it is very much worth a read and suited my reading style better than any of the other Churchill biographies on the market today. As you may have guessed I employ a 'no nonsense' and 'straight to the point' style.
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Grandiose work falls short of the mark
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Churchill, it may be said, was great but not good. This book, it might equally be said, is good but not great. This is a pity, for in Jenkins Churchill potentially had a suitably colourful and erudite biographer. Unfortunately this offering, trumpeted on its release as the 'definitive' life of the great man, falls noticeably short of the standard set by Martin Gilbert back in the 1970s, even if it is a little more readable.
Criticisms have been justly levelled at Jenkin's style. Whilst capable of the most sparking witticisms, particularly in his character assessments, Jenkins' grandiose prose often seems turgid and affected. As might be expected, his analysis of Churchill's political evolution - from liberal Conservative to radical Liberal and back again - is perceptive and even-handed, although is lacking in detail. Much use is made of original sources, often quoted verbatim, frequently to illuminating effect and particularly so in the chapters dealing with Chruchill's wartime Premiership.
However, there is little here that has not been said before and with greater brevity. A good introductory text to Churchill, if you're not daunted by the scale, but it does neither subject nor author any great credit.
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