Churchill and Empire: Portrait of an Imperialist

Description

One of our finest narrative historians, Lawrence James has written a biography of Winston Churchill, set within a fully detailed historical context, but solely focusing on his relationship with the British Empire. Winston Churchill's attitude towards the Empire at the time was the stereotypical Victorian paternalistic approach, and he held what many would regard today as racist views, in that he felt that some nationalities were superior to others. This outmoded attitude was one of the reasons the British voters rejected him after the Second World War in which he had led the country brilliantly. His attitude remained decidedly old-fashioned in a world that was shaping up very differently. This ground-breaking volume reveals the many facets of Churchill's personality: a visionary leader with a truly Victorian attitude toward the British Empire. 'Wonderful - modern narrative history at its bravest' Jan Morris 'Witty and erudite . . . James' book does an important job' Sunday Times' 'A superb history of a memorable subject' Andrew Roberts

One of our finest narrative historians, especially on the subject of the British Empire, Lawrence James is the author of THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, RAJ and THE ARISTOCRATS. He lives near Oxford.

Seemingly miraculously, Lawrence James has found something fresh to say about Churchill by concentrating on his romance with the Empire. James is an unabashed admirer of the great man. * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * Lawrence James is the doyen of Empire historians -- Philip Hensher * THE SPECTATOR * (A) highly original book... an entertaining read as well as a serious historical analysis... a pioneering biography of Churchill... It will be of abiding interest to all those concerned with Britain's past and how it influenced the world in which we live today. -- D.R Thorpe * THE TIMES * a fascinating portrait of an endlessly interesting man... it makes for wonderful reading. You will certainly learn a thing or two about our finest statesman. -- Natasha Hardin * THE SUN * witty and erudite... James' book does an important job -- Nick Rennison * THE SUNDAY TIMES * Seemingly miraculously, Lawrence James has found something fresh to say about him [Churchill] by concentrating on the great man's lifelong romance with the Empire and viewing his multifaceted activities through that prism. -- Nigel Jones * THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH. Book of the Week * a new, insightful narrative -- Ben Felsenburg * METRO * He writes extremely well and refreshes a multitude of familiar topics with narrative skill. The clarity, pace and punch of his prose carry the reader along. -- Paul Addison * LITERARY REVIEW * There have been so many books written about Churchill, but this one looking at his vision of Empire is a refreshingly new angle. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE * All the narrative drama, colour and insight that we have come to expect is once again on irresistible show in Churchill and Empire. He makes a convincing case that empire was never far from Churchill's mind and that the great conflicts of the 20th century in which he was involved were essentially imperial in character. -- Richard Aldous * IRISH TIMES * Stylish and intelligent * NEW YORK TIMES *