I relate so much to the opening of the book; Boris shares how he grew up believing that Churchill was the greatest Statesman of all time, and he used to read Martin Gilbert's "Churchill: a life in pictures". My Dad has this book - I remember pouring over the pictures of Churchill amazed at the fawning adulation and the pomp and ceremony that surrounded him. He was the Wartime Prime minister, he saw Hitler for who he really was - no one but Churchill was capable of leading Britain during the War. Then Johnson mentions his wit:
Colville, Churchill's chief whip had to bear the unhappy news of some homosexual behaviour involving a cabinet member in public - the exchange went:
""Did I hear you correctly in saying that so-and-so has been caught with a Guardsman?"
""Yes, Prime Minister."
"In Hyde Park?"
""Yes, Prime Minister."
""On a park bench?"
""That's right, Prime Minister."
""At three o'clock in the morning?"
""That's correct, Prime Minister."
""In this weather! Good God, man, it makes you proud to be British!"" [Pg. 3]Johnson has such overwhelming respect for Churchill - he defends him from his enemies and tries to reason why he has been mis-represented. He is honest about his mistakes and errors; he is forthright about his ego and hubris. Yet, Churchill is an endearing character and he sparkles when seen through Johnson's eyes.
The book is Johnson's - he somewhat ostentatiously recounts standing in the places where Churchill stood - drinking beer on Churchill's battlefield in Belgium and being chased off by a local farmer. He has a great balance between modern ways of communicating and a respect for language. Boris Johnson is a clever man - cleverer than I thought - maybe not as conservative as I thought - but intelligent. He writes in a warm, affectacious manner in which both he and Churchill feel like familiar friends.
The book is discussed with funny Churchillian witticisms and even ones that weren't his (but were good for a laugh anyhow). I loved the section on America, it was revealing and interesting and hilarious and emotional all at the same time. Churchill great line about having to kiss America on all four cheeks was funny and the decision to avoid Roosevelt's funeral was disquieting.
The bombing of the French fleet, the Dardanelles disaster and the failed WWII battles were all brought up as Johnson wanted a warts and all discussion. However, it always has a love for Churchill behind it all. This is Johnson's model of leadership; and it answers a number of questions about Boris too.
There is a section worth quoting as it has to do with Churchill's prescient understanding of events and the popular political views of the time. It is a section which cautions us to listen to those that bring bad news, that challenge current thinking and buck the popular perspective.
Churchill made a speech in Fulton, Missouri in 1946 that was a warning to America about the dangers of Communism and the advent of the 'Iron Curtain'. He was predictably demonised by the Russians, labelling him a warmonger. However, for a man views have been vindicated by history, he was subjected to inimical invective from within his own party and people.
"'Winston must go' was the word from the lunch tables. labour MP's were so scandalised by his red-baiting that they called on Atlee to repudiate the speech...they tabled a censure against Churchill" [pg. 288]Many today censure and restrict the truth. It seems to me that Churchill's brilliance lay in his refusal to give credence to the denouncement of others.
"A lesser man would have packed it in, and gone off too...paint. Not Churchill. He never gave up; he never gave in...." [pg275]5 Stars -so enjoyable.
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