Churchill and Empire

A Portrait of an Imperialist

By: Lawrence James

Narrated by: Michael Healy

One of our finest narrative historians, Lawrence James has written an illuminating, genuinely new biography of Winston Churchill that focuses solely on his contradictory relationship with the British Empire. As a young army officer in the late 19th century serving in conflicts in India, South Africa, and the Sudan, his attitude toward the Empire was the Victorian paternalistic approach - at once responsible and superior. Conscious even then of his political career ahead, Churchill found himself reluctantly supporting British atrocities and held what many would regard today as prejudiced views, in that he felt some nationalities were superior to others; his (some might say obsequious) relationship with America reflected that view.

This outmoded attitude was one of the reasons the British voters rejected him after a 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 groundbreaking volume reveals the many facets of Churchill's personality: a visionary leader with a truly Victorian attitude toward the British Empire.

©2014 Lawrence James (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks

I loved it!

Great facts strung together in a compelling story, and read aloud in a most enjoyable manner. I've listened to the entire book twice, and will likely listen again. Very enjoyable and informative.

Good

A fair assessment of Churchill and his Victorian ideaology. Good book overall. Much already covered in other books, but this concentrated on the empire ideal cherished by Churchill. Generally, I feel most writing on empire and Churchill's devotion to it is overly critical, and doesn't emphasize the good that empire did. This book is not guilty of that. Narrator, not great. And the recording, editing not great.
There is a better audio version, but not available in the states, or at least via audible. I'd recommend the story, just wish the narrator was more engaging.