The Churchill Myths

Reviews / Votes

A valuable exploration of the myths that began gathering around Churchill as early as 1940 and that steadily thickened (aided and abetted by Churchill himself), not only for the rest of his long life but after his death as well. * R. A. Callahan, CHOICE * A fascinating book. * David Aaronovitch, journalist and columnist for The Times * In 'The Churchill Myths', the historians Bill Schwarz, Richard Toye and Steven Fielding offer up a scorching indictment of our prime minister. * Nathan Yeowell, The Times * The Churchill Myths is one of the best books about Brexit and English self-delusion out there. * Nick Cohen, journalist, author and political commentator * Agreeably provocative [and] opinionated ... There is much good and even original stuff in [this book]. * Anne Chisholm, Times Literary Supplement * The Churchill Myths is a fascinating, insightful, and often challenging read. * Alastair Stewart, Finest Hour, the journal of the International Churchill Society * As the title makes clear, this book is concerned with the myths, plural, of Churchill. The authors demonstrate how different Churchills are summoned to speak both for and to the nation at particular historical moments. There is no central body adjudicating how the figure of Churchill is brought to bear on contemporary events. Politicians, academics, journalists, writers, directors, and cultural institutions, such as the BBC, are the cast of characters who sculpt the social memory of Churchill. For the most part, the authors avoid trying to rule on the accuracy of these myths, although sometimes it proves necessary. * Satya Gunput, Twentieth Century British History * The Churchill Myths is a brilliantly provocative take-down of the Churchill industry. Fielding, Schwarz, and Toye show how and why British history has so often been crystalized into the story of one man. By taking a hammer to the legend, not Britain's wartime prime minister himself, they allow us to do the near impossible and see Churchill afresh. * Richard Aldous, Bard College, Author of Reagan and Thatcher: The Difficult Relationship * Churchill remains a complex and fascinating figure. This fresh study of Churchill's position in political and popular culture since 1940 provides a substantial reassessment of Churchill and his legend. Written by major historians it is both scholarly and accessible to a wide readership. * Chris Wrigley, emeritus professor, University of Nottingham * A good and impressive book ... Its attempt at de-mythologizing [Churchill] allows us to raise new questions. * Christian Egander Skov, Altinget *