Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill reading at its best!, January 8, 2005
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
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A splendid biography, September 26, 2001
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 opiníon. 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.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
True Greatness, April 24, 2003
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.
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