Customer Reviews

Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill (Leaders in Action Series)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Before I read this book, I knew Winston Churchill only as the great man who played a key role in saving Western civilization during WWII. What Mansfield's book unveils is his brutal, heartrending childhood and hideous treatment at the hands of his father, the physical frailties that plagued him his whole life, the multiple depressive episodes throughout his life, his struggle to overcome his speech deficiency (a lisp), his incredible escape from prison camp in South Africa, his getting rolled by a cab in NY City, etc. etc. etc. I challenge anyone to read this book and not conclude that God had a special plan for this man (and, by extension, for Him to have him grace the world with his incredible inner strength, convictions, and courage). Basically, Churchill had every reason to end up a loser, or at least a chronic underachiever, in life. That he didn't is testimony to, as the title states, his incredible character. This is an incredibly inspiring reading.

This book can be divided into two main parts. The first half is comprised of short summaries of key events in Winston Churchill's life and political career. These include his adventures during the British/Boer war of South Africa to his more famous role as head of England during WWII.

The second half of the book is a group of short (most being 4 pages long) stories and descriptions of Churchill's perspectives on elements of human life and character. These chapters have titles such as: the Bible, family, loyalty, marriage, death, etc.

For an in-depth biography of this amazing leader, you will need to find another book. But for a short, interesting background on the mind and beliefs of Winston Churchill, this is the perfect buy.

In reading the reviews under this section, I find that a reader either loves this book or hates it - there is very little middle ground.

I believe those who discount this book are looking for an objective work on the history of Churchill. While this is a very fascinating subject, the market is saturated with such works, so if that is what you are looking for, go elsewhere...

Those who love the book don't seem to place such emphasis on its historical precision; rather on the value of the information as it pertains to their own lives and leadership styles.

I found this book to contain many great nuggets of wisdom and my highlighter saw much action as I poured through the pages.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their leadership qualities. If you are looking for a historical masterpiece, this isn't it nor did the author intend it to be...

This excellent book gives a fascinating insight into the embodiment of British "Bulldog Spirit". Take Churchill in May 1940 - appointed Prime Minister only weeks before, with France about to be overrun by a massive armoured thrust from Germany, the British Expeditionary Force desperately fighting to avoid being cut-off, and the risk of an aerial and naval onslaught on Britain a very real one, he faced a divided Cabinet. He rallied his supporters and opponents in the cabinet by initiating a top-secret cabinet "Fight Club" where he and fellow politicians bonded in the course of gruelling fist fights in an underground Whitehall gymnasium. Resolve and spirit was inculcated into the War Cabinet during these encounters - the message being "no surrender". A vivid picture of Britain's finest statesman emerges: despite his age and lack of robust health Churchill impressed his colleagues, not least in a bloody bout with a physically stronger Neville Chamberlain. Churchill was battered and bruised when the former Tory Prime Minister ferociously laid into him, goaded on by Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax. But with Chamberlain poised to knock him out, Churchill spoke - "There will be no parley or surrender. This will end only when I am lying choking on my own blood on the ground." Some say that was the moment when the war was won.

I found this book to be a superb look at the man and what made him succeed against all odds. This is an inspirational book and I enjoyed it so much that I have re-read it a second time.
Not only is the book full of insightful and moving comments about Churchill but, it gives a deeper perspective on what made him the undaunting leader that he was. The book is short but wonderful. It does have a Christian perspective and I assume that this is why some readers are putting it down. Nevertheless, Churchill's faith was an important part of his life and ultimately why he sensed his destiny. I love this book.

This is a wonderful small book that describles how a man could overcome overwhelming difficulty and oppositions with a firm belief and an exemptional moral courage. In this book you will find Churchill was a fallible, ordinary man who mistakes, but yet achieved extraordinary things despite his limitations. The development of his life shows us how a weak, self-doubted, shy boy to become a strong, energetic, effective leader with nothing but a deep inside guidance to do good. Never give in is the main theme of this book and each chapter reinforces the theme. This is not a "self-help" book that usually tells you how to feel good about yourself. This is a book on character development that takes duty, pain, responsibilities, and more importantly, a deep inside moral guidance. These concepts are quite foreign nowsday and that's what it makes this small standing out.

This well thought out and focused story of Winston Churchill is not only a story of the man, but an inspiration toward triumph over ones own obstacles in life. This book could be about fullfilling your mission and calling in life inspite of yourself!

Mr. Mansfield has done a very nice job. He writes with the presupposition that history is the outworking of the providence and plan of God, a presupposition I accept, and which I believe is overwhelmingly confirmed by history itself. We all view the world through our presuppositions, and none of us can claim "neutrality." Those who "ding" Mansfield for his Christianity or for illuminating the Christian faith of his subject miss the point of the book. Would you have us all live in the ghetto where the only view allowed is secular humanism? Thankfully, we still live in a country where one is allowed to have Christian presuppositions. It was Mansfield's purpose to write from this point of view. If you "ding" him for having that purpose, then are you not saying that there should no freedom to express opinions different from your own? I am most amused by the reviewer who implies that Mansfield cannot understand England because of that country's current spiritual condition. Surely Churchill's England was different from today's England. England's decline (and our own here in America) can be directly traced to abandoning the Author of our lives and freedoms. Mansfield makes the point that Churchill understood England's place in preserving the freedoms of its Christian heritage, not only for itself but also for the western civilization, against the Nazi threats (definitely not the forces of goodness and light).

This history is written by a Christian (Mansfield) about a Christian (Churchill). If Churchill was, indeed, someone who experienced true conversion to Christianity, then his faith would have permeated all that he was and did. It would and did give him the necessary heart and spirit to persevere under severe trial. Conversion is not a matter which has no impact upon the personal and professional life of a man - it will govern all that he is - his thinking and life.

What a great little book! I am also delighted to discover that Churchill, when asked whom he should like to be if he could not be himself, thought about it and answered "Mrs. Churchill's second husband." All of his manly achievements notwithstanding, that aspect of his character put him over the top in my estimation.

This is the best book that I've read in a long time!!! Stephen Mansfield did an excellent job taking the reader beyong the surface of a man and into the soul of an incredible leader.

I'd recommend this book not "only" because of the great information on Churchill's life struggles and events. I'm recommending this book mainly due to the writer's superb writing. I never thought I'd read a biography in one sit. You just can't stop reading, your eyes roll through the text with so much ease and pleasure. You feel Churchill's hardships, his courage, his character. Great book.