Churchill: A Biography

What strengthens the book are the many one-liners summarising the important politicians and other notable characters of the day pithily. It is so important to understand the context in which WSC operated.

This is a political biography with sufficient personal details to round out the character. We learn that the quarrels between WSC and son Randolph were legendary but we do not know the detail of them and do not need to.

I was reluctant to come to the end of the book.

Critiscism or errors? Very trivial. RJ is less than sure in handling some militarisms eg Rawlinson's Fourth Army was a headquarters formation and replaced Gough's Fifth Army headquarters after it took the brunt of the March 21st attack. Most of the front line units in the order of battle were lost, many of the other units came under command of Fourth Army, new units joined. Not quite the inpression RJ gives but it really does not matter and has no effect on the centrepiece of the book. Why mention it? because RJ 'compelled' me to pay attention to every word that he wrote.

I must read more Roy Jenkins and have ordered Gladstone


A statesman on a statesman   February 7, 2003
Jimbo (London)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Jenkins is famous principally as a Labour cabinet minister and European President of some repute. His biography of Churchill now adds another field in which he deserves to be remembered: biographer.

The release of the biography has been timely becasue of Churchill's sucess in being named the "greatest Britain" in a recent BBC poll. The boom therefore allows a timely re-evaluation of his life, and perhaps in the wake of Jenkin's death, a chance to study the qualities of the author as well.

Jenkins writing style is slightly pompous. He obviously has a vast knowledge of parliament and its' members, and he was particularly adept at realting Churchill's experiences not only to his own, but also to more recent events, providing a useful yard staick for younger readers. However, he can occasionally deviate: do we really need to know in a book on Churchill that Clement Attlee deliverd a speech at Jenkins' wedding. Also, his constant use of French phrases tends to irritate, expecially when one cannot find a French-English dictionnary in the house.

Despite these problems of accessibility, the book is a triumph. Churchill packed so much into his life that one might a single-volume biography ambitious, especially considering his decisive role in WWII. He deals in depth with every phase of his life, summarising effectively and being scrupulously fair in his evaluation. He also succeeds in capturing his personality, and the many humorous anecdotes make the book a real pleasure to read.

I would agree with the criticisms levelled at Jenkins about the lack of detail on his post-45 political career. The running of the Conservative party between 1945 - 51 was mostly left to RA Butler, but some insight here would have been useful, as would an axplanation as to why he was the best PM ever. An evaluation of Churchill's reputation and a look at the way politicians have repeatedly sought to evoke his memory would also have made interesting reading, and I am sure would not have been beyond the formidable talents of Lord Jenkins.

These small points aside, Churchill is a classic political biography, and is a major piece of work for which Jenkins deserves to be remembered alongside his pioneering time as Home Secretary.


The best biography on Churchill from a brilliant biographer   October 24, 2001
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

Rivals "Asquith" and "Gladstone" for the depth of understanding of the British political scene from the mid 19th century to the mid 20th. Jenkins' insights and ability to express his views interestingly are almost unrivalled. The book is littered with amazingly researched anecdotes - particularly bearing in mind Jenkins' age. Illustrates the author's deep knowledge of, and preoccupation with(!), family relationships. Certainly the best biography on Churchill yet!


Erudite and exhaustive, a joy to read   November 15, 2001
20 out of 24 found this review helpful

Roy Jenkins, former government minister and parliamentary historian and expert provides a massively detailed and well researched account of the life of possibly Britain's greatest and most essential leader. It is impossible to under-estimate the contribution Churchill made to the survival of Britain in the dark days of 1939-41 and Jenkins study probes and investigates his early political life, scandals and successes with wit and great insight.
Jenkins enormous body of knowledge and experience in such matters add an original and fresh aspect to the already conclusive body of work on Churchill's life (Gilbert, Best et al).
As with Jenkin's previous biographies of Gladstone and Asquith, it can be argued that he glosses over the particular failures in Churchill's career (Gallipolli etc) but this does not detract from the work as a whole.
All in all, a massive and enjoyable work. A triumph for Jenkins.