Churchill: Walking with Destiny

With his latest work, best-selling author Roberts (Napoleon: A Life) presents a well-researched and exceptionally well-written biography of former British prime minister Winston Churchill (1874–1965). As in the author's equally fine biography of Napoleon, the goal here is neither to glorify nor condemn, but rather to distinguish what led Churchill to greatness. Roberts relays how Churchill believed heritage and character predestined him for his role, and how even Churchill's failures contributed to later successes. Access to previously unavailable archives allows Roberts to paint a detailed portrait of a man he clearly, and deservedly, reveres. The author shows how Churchill found a way to appeal to Englishmen of all classes and mobilize their latent patriotism. This lively story retells the politician's time in captivity during the Second Boer War, an experience that impacted his life and career, especially his later diplomatic relations with Italy and Germany as prime minister. It's easy to agree with Roberts that history would be vastly different if Churchill had not led England during this pivotal time in history.