Great Contemporaries: Churchill Reflects on FDR, Hitler, Kipling, Chaplin, Balfour, and Other Giants of His Age

by Winston S. Churchill, James W. Muller

GREAT CONTEMPORARIES is a collection of essays about 21 men whom Winston S. Churchill felt contributed to the course of the world in which he lived. The central theme is a group of British statesmen who shone in the late 1800s and early in this century--Blafour, Chamberlain, Rosebery, Morley, Asquith and Curzon.

Others whose acquaintance we make through Churchill's eyes include George Bernard Shaw, Hindenburg, Lawrence of Arabia, Marshall Foch, Leon Trotsky, Phillip Snowden, Clemenceaus and King George V.

Churchill's long acquaintance with world leaders gave him a unique perspective from which to view actors on the international stage. His assessments sparkle, as do his own qualities, which glow warmly out from these portraits." (Publisher's Source)

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Biography Memoir, Memoir, Military Fiction

504 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, politician and writer, as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955 led Great Britain, published several works, including The Second World War from 1948 to 1953, and then won the Nobel Prize for literature.

William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."

Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...

Reviews

[David Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The reasons are as follows:

1)Winston S. Churchill is one of my favorite historical figures—I enjoy studying him.
2)I enjoy Churchill’s command of the English language—both as a speaker and author. Churchill did a masterful job with this book.
3)As far this book specifically: I enjoyed it because it gave short vignettes of significant historical figures that I knew little if anything about—especially in the context of the late 19th and early 20th century.
4)One of the things I particularly liked was that much of the book was written in the context of World War I. We in the 21st century have forgotten just how significant this war was, it radically and forever changed human civilization and we are dealing with the consequences to this day. I am afraid we are doomed to repeat some of the errors of that day simply because we have forgotten the underlying issues that caused that Armageddon war.
5)Bottom line, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history—especially Western Civilization.

[Bob Mobley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a "must read" for three compelling reasons. First, Churchill's writing style and his truly magnificent command of the English Language makes this a journey in and of itself. Second, he writes with such clarity in his short essays about twenty-five of "His Contemporaries," each stands out and Churchill's book becomes an extraordinary "Study in Leadership." Lastly, the individuals he writes about were all contributors in their own time and place to much of the History of the 20th Century. The essays become living dramas with the power of Churchill's prose bringing to life these highly unusual individuals. An example is Churchill's closing sentences for his look at Lawrence of Arabia. He quotes what King George wrote to Lawrence's brother after his tragic death, 'His name will live in history.' Churchill writes, "That is true. It will live in English letters; it will live in the traditions of the Royal Air Force; it will live in the annals of war and in the legends of Arabia.

The book was first published in 1937 just before one of Churchill's "Contemporaries", Adolf Hitler proved Churchill to be right in his doubts, concerns and lack of trust in the German Leader and his vision for the world. It was first published in the United States in 1991. You can probably find a copy on Amazon or in your library. I urge you to read it. You will enjoy ever minute.

[Joe M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe not the best starting spot to learn about this period and its people. It lacks the context of the day and therefore has me lost for the most part considering I am a novice in late 1800s early 1900s history. I am certain if you’re a buff this would give you the precious details that fill in a lot of blanks about the people of the times. For me it was tough!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here are 30 essays about famous men that Churchill knew, or knew about. Most were written in 1935 and this does give some added interest; so, for example, he begins the essay on Hitler with

"Although no subsequent political action can condone wrong deeds, history is replete with examples of men who have risen to power by employing stern, grim, and even frightful methods, but who, nevertheless, when their life is revealed as a whole, have been regarded as great figures whose lives have enriched the story of mankind. So may it be with Hitler."

Even in 1935, this seems kind to A.H. and there is considerable apology elsewhere in these essays: the Kaiser was misled because he had so many yes-men around him, "It is too soon to measure the military stature of Foch" [15 years after the armistice!], how Haig's "strength of will and character" permitted him to weather the various stresses to which he was exposed and that we will long continue to debate whether the "slaughters on a gigantic scale" were sometimes "needless and fruitless."
Ultimately, I conclude, that many of these essays are not entirely about the great contemporary in the title, but about Churchill himself, e.g. Would the massive disaster of Gallipoli taint his future greatness? and so forth.

The essays of most interest are those about the political figures of the late 19th century with whom W.C. started his political career and who knew his father, The Earl of Rosebery, Joseph Chamberlain, Herbert Asquith and John Morley. These are figures about whom most of us will know very little unless we have specifically studied them, and Churchill's insights, even if prejudiced this way or that, give the impression of providing valuable inside information. [This is based on a Kindle edition that is not listed in the Goodreads database.]

[Claire Scorzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Churchill escrevia bem, e tinha sensibilidade para humor e mesmo ironia. Além disso, suas observações como experiente estadista - embora à época da realização desses ensaios, não fosse ainda primeiro ministro, Churchill já fora ministro das finanças da Inglaterra - dão uma amostra de inteligência, bom senso, e honestidade - nestes tempos bicudos de politicamente correto, é um sopro de ar fresco. Há textos no livro que já valem a leitura por isso, como o sobre F.D. Roosevelt e um outro sobre H.G. Wells. Bom senso, argúcia, clareza: viva!
Só não leva 5 estrelas porque muitos ensaios, voltados para estadistas e figuras ligadas ao cenário político britânico da época, são desconhecidas para mim e, deste modo, pouco interessantes.

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se trata de una colección de ensayos sobre grandes personajes del siglo XX. Escrito por el mitico Winston Churchill, asume que el lector ya conoce a profundidad los personajes, lo que vuelve la lectura un poco exigente y densa.

Tal vez Churchill no imaginó que tantos años después su libro continuaria siendo leído, por lo tanto no reparó en detalles que orienten al lector sobre aspectos básicos, por lo tanto se hace imprescindible, para comprender a los personajes, poseer de antemano dicha información u obtenerla en otras fuentes a medida que se avanza en la lectura.

Estoy segura de que es una obra profundamente valiosa para los amantes de la historia y de los grandes próceres ingleses del siglo XX.

[Daniel Herben · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Grandes contemporáneos" es una colección de semblanzas de grandes personajes políticos que ejercieron una gran influencia sobre el Reino Unido y la Europa previos a la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Se trata de monarcas como Alfonso XIII, líderes extranjeros como Hitler y generales como Foch, así como de varios primeros ministros e incluso del primer canciller laborista. Todas sus biografías tienen algo en común: las descubrimos a través de los ojos de un contemporáneo suyo que tuvo el privilegio de codearse con ellos. Este libro es, por ello, además de una ristra de textos biográficos, un mosaico personal (y maravillosamente escrito) de la Europa de finales del siglo XIX y comienzos del XX.

[Anna Shulman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about so many uninteresting characters that nonetheless greatly influenced the world. To read this , one must be a fan of the british parliament or the royal houses of Europe. Turned out that i am neither, although reading about chaplin, kipling, and wells was very interesting.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

We picked this up when we visited The Folio Society bookshop in London. Great place to visit!

I have mixed feelings about this book. The chapters on Foch and Haig are written to excuse them from the stupidity and arrogance in sending uncountable men to their deaths in ill considered WWI offenses. Churchill's absolution makes me think less of Churchill and not any better of Foch or Haig.

A few of the chapters, especially those covering Shaw and Baden-Powell are throwaways.

I did learn quite a bit about The Parliament Act and Irish Home Rule, and how these issues were of the utmost importance in Britain prior to WWI. I also learned how the Spanish-American War impacted WWI.

This particular edition is quite well done. Great illustrations, pleasingly laid out, it's a joy to hold and read.

Overall, it's far less satisfying in terms of writing quality, importance, or historical value than Churchill's The World Crisis.

[Harry Balden · Rating 3 out of 5]

An annoyingly good writer, this book comes thick and fast with the bon mots:

On Asquith: "His mind opened and shut smoothly and exactly, like the breech of a gun"

On Joe Chamberlain: "The man who made the weather"

Some of the essays are pretty godawful (the Trotsky one) and you get the sense of someone who understood the developments of the modern world*, but not it's zeitgeist. The best essays are invariably about the people and world of Churchill the late-Victorian adventurer and Edwardian politician.

* Obviously apart from helping to invent the tank Churchill understood better than the US and the USSR what the bomb would really *do* to the world post-1945.

[Frank Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but a bit slavish to most of fellow British contemporaries.

[Lewis Younie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a cliche and a subject I shall address only fleetingly, but one which it is still appropriate to note; Churchill's ability to write is immense. Not only is he is engaging and insightful but he builds each individual portrait steadily, giving a sense of their character before building to dramatic scenes and, for those who have passed at the time of writing, their deaths.

Furthermore, Churchill's love and sense of history is well-known, and exemplified here in great detail. The figures he chooses act as exemplars as Churchill uses them to identify the world that had fallen away by examining figures such as Kaiser Wilhelm, Clemenceau and King Alfonso of Spain. He also shows a degree of impartiality which is surprising, given what one knows of Churchill's mercurial nature. He does still treat with figures whose political convictions he despises fairly. For instance, despite his avowed disgust concerning Socialism and Bolshevism, he deals as fairly as possible with Trotsky and Philip Snowden, the first Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer, as he doles out great praise for their ability and, for Snowden at least, the high quality of his character.

Thus, this book evidences two virtues for which Churchill is rightly famous: his fantastic control of the English language and his adoring, penetrating understanding of history. However, this book illustrates the third and equally famous of Churchill's: his immense, overweening ambition.

Churchill marshals both his prodigious writing and historical ability to further his ambitions of being thought alongside the 'Greats' that he writes of. In knowing the Earl of Rosebury, Kaiser Wilhelm, T.E. Lawrence, Clemenceau and a host of other notables of the past, Churchill is proving his worthiness to be counted among them. Beyond his place in posterity, upon which Churchill ruminated endlessly, Churchill knew that association with great figures increased his possibility of coming in from the political wilderness that he had been forced into by the time of writing in the middle of the 1930s. Evidence for his desire to reignite his political career is illuminated by the multiple mentions and subtle defence he makes of the disastrous Dardanelles Campaign in many different entries, his support for which ended his first stint as First Lord of the Admiralty and hung like a millstone around his neck for the rest of his life.

This cynical view, however, must be tempered by the emotion Churchill displays in dealing with a great number of entries. He writes of Lord Rosebury as a connection to long deceased father and as a teacher in the ways of statesmanship, and the great love he had for him because of this. He writes of the torturous experience of Parnell, as his personal life was thrown under public scrutiny, with sympathy for hideous circumstances the Irish statesman endured, and respect for his stoicism. Considering Kaiser Wilhelm, Churchill demonstrates contempt, which is again mixed with pity as he considered a weak, foolish man pushed to take up a burden far beyond his capacity to bear. Churchill does not write, therefore, with solely ambition for his place in posterity and high office. He writes also with the ambition of placing on the record personal, balanced accounts, which contain a not insignificant degree of empathy.

It is solely thanks to the genius of his writing and historical sense that Churchill could record these men's lives in such a way to cement his place in history alongside them, for reasons of vanity and future political ambitions, while simultaneously fulfilling his duty as a historian to record, analyse and evaluate the lives of his contemporaries, but with an oft softly emotional bent. This book is a wondrous example of Churchill's abilities as a brilliant writer and poignant historian, a justification for his place in history as an active statesman of several decades and the ceaselessly grasping ambition that animated his life.

[Mike Futcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a fondness for ornate, old-fashioned pen-portrait essays like those to be found in Great Contemporaries by Winston Churchill. A great benefit of the book is that Churchill knew many of the historical and political figures he discusses personally, and so such essays can be coloured by interesting anecdote and personal insight.

Articles on his contemporaries from British politics naturally form the bulk of the book (former prime ministers and the like). At first glance, these look less interesting, but the personal side of things Churchill is able to give provides them with some uniqueness and colour. However, it does also mean Churchill ends up writing more like a politician than an essayist – safely, diplomatically, and with an eye on posterity for himself.

There's a lot of magnanimity in the book, not only for Churchill's domestic allies and opponents, but also, surprisingly, for the likes of Kaiser Wilhelm and Adolf Hitler. Churchill excuses the Kaiser much of the blame for the start of World War One and, writing in 1935, credits Hitler for Germany's revival and suggests that, while the outlook is bleak and the character sinister, he may yet prove to be an asset to his country and the world.

Of course, we now know that not to be the case, but the excessive political even-handedness of the pieces does limit their interest today (an entertaining condemnation of Trotsky is an outlier in the book), for Churchill is not necessarily giving us his full views. He writes well, even if he overdoes it sometimes with the lofty prose we know from his wartime speeches (an essay on King George V lays it on very thick), but nor is he at the level of bold mythologising we can find in William Bolitho's Twelve Against the Gods – a gold standard for this sort of thing.

Ultimately, Great Contemporaries is a dated book that could have retained a stature if it had not so effectively restrained itself. By enabling Churchill's caution, diplomacy and indulgence, rather than allowing his boldness, humour and energy to flourish, the book maintains itself for modern readers largely as a curiosity (particularly for that Hitler essay) rather than a commentary.

[E.R. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1935, Mr. Churchill writes his observations about the most important men of his time. From France’s Clemenceau, to the German Kaiser and Lawrence of Arabia, and many more. It’s a fascinating look at British History and politics during the 50 years from 1880-1930. He describes not just the events that these men participated in, but gives insight into their personalities and greatness as well as their flaws.
Well written and interesting, it demonstrates how far our culture has come in some ways, in others it shows how we could greatly benefit from having men of this caliber leading us currently. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in history and politics of the past few centuries.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eloquent writing. Most interesting to me:
- William II - The Ex-Kaiser - I’m more impressed by Churchill’s writing rather than by the monarch.
- Bernard Shaw - the chameleon
- Lawrence of Arabia - a hero Churchill holds the highest regard
- Alfonso XIII - interesting perspectives of the Spanish king
- Hitler - Written in 1935. Hitler was the one person that Churchill was too optimistic about, or rather, hoped for the brighter alternative even though he saw the darker possibility. He underestimated Hitler’s fervor.
- Charles Parnell - “He dedicated himself to a single goal, the goal of Ireland a nation, and he pursued it unswervingly until a rose thrown across his path opened a new world, the world of love. And, as he had previously sacrificed all for Ireland, so, when the moment of choice came, he sacrificed all, even Ireland, for love.”

[C.A.I. Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good general and personable biographies of notable people who had helped formulate pre-WWI and interwar Europe. Take Churchills views on board yes, do not let them shape your entire opinions on these people. Most if not all were known to Churchill personally, while others, such as Hindenburg, he spent four years fighting against. The wide variety of people, some of which many will never have heard of (such as the Russian revolutionary Boris Savinkov), as well as plenty of anecdotes and typical Churchillian prose will keep most intrigued if not entertained.

[Frank Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever Churchill put pen to paper, something magical seemed to happen. Here, again, we find Churchill's brilliant observations of the many fascinating people he encountered in his rich life. I will say, however, you could detect some shading of his true views - it just bulges out between the lines here and there, clearly trying to avoid damaging a relationship or looking petty himself. Nevertheless, it is a truly good read.

[Paulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sheer greatness of it all is overwhelming. The lives of great men struggling through war and revolution are laid out in Churchill’s magnificent English. The author’s firm command of rhythm and masterful weaving of metaphors are plain astounding, even intimidating.

The contrast with the petty drudgery in most people’s lives is sobering, nay, depressing.

[Michael Eklund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, Churchills writing. Wow. And he really met most of the people he wrote about!

But the English politicians of the late 19th century is of no interest to me. And some things which he assumes is well known (in 1935) is also unknown to me.

Otherwise, it is excellent fun to read his biographies with many colourful personalities.

[Paul Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Churchill, actually a collection of essays. I wasn't familiar with all the contemporaries, but they were all interesting. It was especially interesting that he included Adolf Hitler (written about 1935).
I plan to read one of his WWII books soon.

[Eric Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want more insight into 20th century history, you’d have to go a long way to find better than this book.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easily digestible sketches of many interesting people. However, I think I’d recommend about 25 other Churchill books before I’d recommend this relatively inconsequential one.

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever. Fascinating. Not history as it was; history as we'd like it. What ingenuity!

[Lib DM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read about half way then skimmed the rest. Many of the great contemporaries were people I’m simply not interested in. I gave a 2 because of Churchill’s prose.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and somewhat informative about the people he writes about. As usual, with Winston Churchill, he does writes well and whatever he has written is usually worth reading.

[Dan Elbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite read ever. Both incredibly well written and also fascinating to think of Churchill’s perspective at that time in his life

[. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Churchill PLEASE

[Tony Siciliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this collection of essays reaches 85 years old, modern readers may not know many of the subjects. They are all long gone, some very famous or infamous, others admirable or despicable. Churchill, with an economy and sweep of language, provides memorable sketches of kings, prime ministers, military leaders, dictators, writers and social thinkers. You'll find the essays memorable if you are familiar with any of those subjects. More memorable is what the essays reveal about the author. To be fair and honest, I believe Churchill was the most important person of the 20th century. He was a true Renaissance man, whose interests ran from literature to politics to art and cultivated conversation. Photos of nearly all the famous people during the first half of the century invariably include Churchill standing at his or her side. He was everywhere. He knew everyone. He held many offices. He experienced distressing failures and magnificent victories. But he knew the English people. He adored them and held sacred their strength, their devotion to family and country, and he knew how to draw on that strength to inspire, to survive and to triumph. He was a passionate advocate of the British parliamentary system, believing it to be the best venue of thought, discussion and compromise in history. He believed in a society of fair play, equal opportunity, and progress, always progress. His idea of progress was intimately bound within the Empire, not as a source of exploitation or oppression but as an opportunity to share the blessings of liberty and education to all, ultimately a global commonwealth of nations existing to keep the peace and create prosperity. In each of his essays, even when discussing ideas with which he did not agree, he attributed honesty and the best of motives to his subjects, never dismissing anyone with condescension or stereotype. If you are a student of English history, you will find perhaps a different light shed on some special people. If you are not, you will see an author reveal himself as the sunny, brilliant genius with that gleam in his eye, ready to create mischief as well as eloquence, and who, in my opinion, saved Western civilization.

[Norm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dates from the mid-1930s and thus provides an interesting perspective on many of its subjects. It is a collection of short essays by Churchill (none more than about 5 pages) about great figures of the era in English, French and German life (with a couple of Americans and Russians thrown in) that he knew or was profoundly affected by. Some are, by now, pretty obscure (Jacky Fisher, Boris Savinkov), but many are quite interesting - TE Lawrence, Charles Parnell, Clemenceau, and others.

Each is both a character study and a short history of the subject's life and times. Of course, the language is marvelous since it is by Churchill, and it is highly readable even when the subject is not truly of much interest to the modern reader.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone once remarked to the effect that Churchill's "History of the English-Speaking People" could be subtitled "Stuff I Found Interesting in History." If so, then "Great Contemporaries" is "People I Found Interesting in My Lifetime." Who else but Churchill could write mini-biographies of the leading figures of 19th and 20th century Britain and repeatedly include the phrase, "When I first met so-and-so..."?

If (like me) you're not familiar with the period and its political movements, some parts of these sketches will be opaque to you. But Churchill's prose is always brilliant and worth reading.