Winston Churchill: Politics, Strategy and Statecraft

Description

Winston Churchill is a renowned historical figure, whose remarkable political and military career continues to enthral. This book consists of short, highly readable chapters on key aspects of Churchill's career. Written by leading experts, the chapters draw on documents from Churchill's extensive personal papers as well as cutting-edge scholarship. Ranging from Churchill's youthful statesmanship to the period of the Cold War, the volume considers his military strategy during both World Wars as well as dealing with the social, political and economic issues that helped define the Churchillian era. Suitable for those coming to Churchill for the first time, as well as providing new insights for those already familiar with his life, this is a sparkling collection of essays that provides an enlightening history of Churchill and his era.

Richard Toye is Professor of Modern History at the University of Exeter, UK. He has published widely in the field of 19th and 20th-century British and international history, including three books on Winston Churchill.

[A] valuable biographical compendium that shows Churchill both beloved and controversial ... Historians and students of British history have much to gain by reading these commendable essays. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. * CHOICE * "[S]ucceeds admirably in its stated goal of providing 'a short, accessible and analytical introduction to the key themes in Churchill's life.'" * A Blog on Winston Churchill (winstonchurchillblog.wordpress.com) * This collective work is an excellent introduction to, in Toye's words, 'Churchill's statecraft'. * Twentieth Century British History * A superb guide to Churchill's long and controversial career. Richard Toye has assembled a first-class team of experts to dissect and explore Churchill's remarkable record as statesman, warrior, and politician in both peace and war. This authoritative and innovative book draws on Churchill's own monumental collection of personal papers to provide an accessible introduction to key aspects of one of the Twentieth Century's most complex and challenging figures. Individual chapters concisely survey their subject, offering shrewd judgements and balanced assessments that will appeal to everyone from students to seasoned Churchill scholars. * Christopher M. Bell, Dalhousie University, Canada, author of Churchill and Sea Power and Churchill and the Dardanelles * Winston Churchill: Politics, Strategy and Statecraft is a must-have book for anyone who wants to know more about the legendary British statesman and the tumultuous times through which he lived. The prizewinning historian Richard Toye has brought together renowned scholars who provide portraits of Churchill, examining the political backdrop behind his decision-making, the strategic dilemmas he faced, and the policy choices he made in the quest to maintain Britain's standing as a world power. Filled with valuable information and offering sober judgments, Toye's insightful volume deserves a wide readership and will richly repay those who want to know more about Churchill and British history in the era of the two world wars. * John H. Maurer, Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy, U.S. Naval War College, USA *