The Churchill Factor
How One Man Made History
Published on 23. October 2014
Book
Hardback
416 pages
978-1-4447-8302-5 (ISBN)
Description
'He writes with gusto... the result is a book that is never boring, genuinely clever ... this book sizzles.' The Times
'The must-read biography of the year.' Evening Standard
'The point of the Churchill Factor is that one man can make all the difference.'
Marking the fiftieth anniversary of Winston Churchill's death, Boris Johnson explores what makes up the 'Churchill Factor' - the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays - with characteristic wit and passion-a man of multiple contradictions, contagious bravery, breath-taking eloquence, matchless strategizing, and deep humanity.
Fearless on the battlefield, Churchill had to be ordered by the King to stay out of action on D-Day; he embraced large-scale strategic bombing, yet hated the destruction of war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was a celebrated journalist, a great orator and won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was famous for his ability to combine wining and dining with many late nights of crucial wartime decision-making. His open-mindedness made him a pioneer in health care, education, and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect.
Most of all, as Boris Johnson says, 'Churchill is the resounding human rebuttal to all who think history is the story of vast and impersonal economic forces'. THE CHURCHILL FACTOR is a book to be enjoyed not only by anyone interested in history: it is essential reading for anyone who wants to know what makes a great leader.
'The must-read biography of the year.' Evening Standard
'The point of the Churchill Factor is that one man can make all the difference.'
Marking the fiftieth anniversary of Winston Churchill's death, Boris Johnson explores what makes up the 'Churchill Factor' - the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays - with characteristic wit and passion-a man of multiple contradictions, contagious bravery, breath-taking eloquence, matchless strategizing, and deep humanity.
Fearless on the battlefield, Churchill had to be ordered by the King to stay out of action on D-Day; he embraced large-scale strategic bombing, yet hated the destruction of war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was a celebrated journalist, a great orator and won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was famous for his ability to combine wining and dining with many late nights of crucial wartime decision-making. His open-mindedness made him a pioneer in health care, education, and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect.
Most of all, as Boris Johnson says, 'Churchill is the resounding human rebuttal to all who think history is the story of vast and impersonal economic forces'. THE CHURCHILL FACTOR is a book to be enjoyed not only by anyone interested in history: it is essential reading for anyone who wants to know what makes a great leader.
Reviews / Votes
The must-read biography of the year. * Evening Standard * An engagingly written romp through the elder statesman's greatest achievements. * Observer * Genuinely clever... this book sizzles. * The Times * Churchill's own energy - his indefatigable pursuit of excitement, glory, place and power - demands a writer of fizz and passion to do history justice. Johnson is that writer. * Mail on Sunday * A bravura performance...Johnson has not only celebrated Churchill in this book: he has emulated him with comparable panache. * Financial Times * Riveting...Boris is a superb, accessible writer, with an easy, good-humoured touch. * Independent * The book's style is often chatty, enthusiastic and as funny as you would expect. * The Spectator * Splendidly enjoyable... It is rare to find a serious study of a politician that's this entertaining. * Daily Express * In this spirited, entertaining tale... Johnson deftly weaves his narrative between war, politics and personal life. * Observer * This is a rollicking tale of a political maverick. * Radio Times * Reading about Churchill is always a delight, and Johnson is an accomplished, accessible writer. * Kirkus Reviews * Johnson's history of Churchill is well crafted, amply researched, and a pleasure to read. It can serve as a change of pace from more plodding accounts. * Library Journal * Johnson is a superb writer... Despite the heavy subject matter, The Churchill Factor is a light and quick read. * The Globe and Mail * A characteristically breathless romp through the life and times of our greatest wartime leader...high on entertainment as it is on providing an appraisal of the great man's achievements. * Telegraph * Readable, engaging and often funny. * Evening Standard * A full-throated celebration of human greatness and perhaps the best (and certainly the funniest)...introduction to Churchill yet written. * Daily Beast * Filled with vivid observations. * Washington Post * A stunning tour de force... A riveting journalistic portrait of the countless different aspects of the great man's career and personality, to show more vividly than ever how Churchill was one of the most extraordinary human being who has ever lived. * Sunday Telegraph *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hodder & Stoughton
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 X 8pp b&w
Dimensions
Height: 243 mm
Width: 166 mm
Thickness: 38 mm
Weight
738 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4447-8302-5 (9781444783025)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Boris Johnson
The Churchill Factor
The internationally bestselling biography of Britain's most famous Prime Minister
E-Book
10/2014
Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Boris Johnson was elected Mayor of London in May 2008. Before this he was the Editor of the Spectator, Member of Parliament for Henley on Thames, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Shadow Minister for Higher Education. He is the author of many books, notably Johnson's Life of London (re-issued as The Spirit of London), Have I Got Views for You and Dream of Rome.