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Churchill
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Churchill (edit title/settings)

by Paul Johnson (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

An acclaimed historian presents a revelatory look at the greatest statesman of the twentieth century For eminent historian Paul Johnson, Winston Churchill remains an enigma in need of unraveling. Soldier, parliamentarian, Prime Minister, orator, painter, writer, husband, and leader-all of... read more

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  • “When I was seventeen, I had the good fortune to ask him a question: "Mr. Churchill, sir, to what do you attribute your success in life?" Without pause or hesitation, he replied: "Conservation of energy. Never stand up when you can sit down, and never sit down when you can lie down." He then got into his limo.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “So Winston Churchill led a full life, and few people are ever likely to equal it--its amplitude, variety, and success on so many fronts. But all can learn from it, especially in five ways.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “The first lesson is: always aim high....He did not always meet his elevated targets, but by aiming high he always achieved something worthwhile.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “Lesson number two: there is no substitute for hard work. He also...enjoyed his leisure activities, for him another form of hard work, to keep himself fit and rested and to enable himself to do his job at the top of his form....He never evaded hard work itself...He worked hard at everything to the best of his ability...Mistakes he made, constantly, but there was never anything shoddy or idle about his work...He put tremendous energy into everything.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “Third, and in its way most important, Churchill never allowed mistakes, disaster--personal or national--accidents, illnesses, unpopularity, and criticism to get him down....He had courage, the most important of all virtues, and its companion, fortitude. These strengths are inborn but they can also be cultivated, and Churchill worked on them all his life.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “Fourth, Churchill wasted an extraordinarily small amount of his time and emotional energy on the meanesses of life: recrimination, shifting the blame onto others, malice, revenge seeking, dirty tricks, spreading rumors, harboring grudges, waging vendettas. Having fought hard, he washed his hands and went on to the next contest. It is one reason for his success. There is nothing more draining and exhausting than hatred.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “Finally, the absence of hatred left plenty of room for joy in Churchill's life. His face could light up in the most extraordinarily attractive way as it became suffused with pleasure at an unexpected and welcome event...He liked to share his joy, and give joy. It must never be forgotten that Churchill was happy with people....Being more than half American, he was never class-conscious. He got on well with nearly everyone who served him or worked with him, whatever their degree....No great leader was ever laughed at, or with, more than Churchill. He loved to make jokes and contrived to invent a large number in his long life. He collected jokes, and told jokes, too....He was emotional, and wept easily. But his tears soon dried, as joy came flooding back. He drew his strength from people, and imparted it to them in full measure. Everyone who values freedom under law, and government by, for, and from the people, can find comfort and reassurance in his life story.”
    Paul Johnson
  • “"He's the only bull I've known who carries his china shop around with him!" Winston Churchill on Dulles, whom he often referred to as "Duller, dullest, Dulles."”
    Winston Churchill
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • Third, and in its way most important, Churchill never allowed mistakes, disaster—personal or national—accidents, illnesses, unpopularity, and criticism to get him down.
    Highlighted by 276 Kindle customers
  • dicta—“In war, resolution. In defeat, defiance. In victory, magnanimity. In peace, goodwill.”
    Highlighted by 273 Kindle customers
  • Fourth, Churchill wasted an extraordinarily small amount of his time and emotional energy on the meannesses of life: recrimination, shifting the blame onto others, malice, revenge seeking, dirty tricks, spreading rumors, harboring grudges, waging vendettas.
    Highlighted by 264 Kindle customers
  • Lesson number two is: there is no substitute for hard work.
    Highlighted by 262 Kindle customers
  • “Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”
    Highlighted by 243 Kindle customers
  • “Mr. Churchill, sir, to what do you attribute your success in life?” Without pause or hesitation, he replied: “Conservation of energy. Never stand up when you can sit down, and never sit down when you can lie down.”
    Highlighted by 230 Kindle customers
  • We shall not flag or fail. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.
    Highlighted by 230 Kindle customers
  • “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
    Highlighted by 223 Kindle customers
  • Nature is merciful and does not try her children, man or beast, beyond their compass. It is only when the cruelty of man intervenes that hellish torments appear. For the rest, live dangerously, take things as they come. Fear naught, all will be well.
    Highlighted by 215 Kindle customers
  • Finally, the absence of hatred left plenty of room for joy in Churchill’s life.
    Highlighted by 212 Kindle customers
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First Sentence edit see section history

Of all the towering figures of the twentieth centure, both good and evil, Winston Churchill was the most valuable to humanity, and also the most likable.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Chapter One: Young Thruster
Chapter Two: Liberal Statesman
Chapter Three: The Lessons of Failure
Chapter Four: Success and Disasters
Chapter Five: The Unregarded Prophet
Chapter Six: Supreme Power and Frustration
Chapter Seven: Glorious Twilight
Epilogue
Further Reading
About the Photographs
Index

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Paul Johnson (Author)

Classification edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Churchill
  • Winston Churchill
  • Churchill and America

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