What do you think?
Rate this book
Mr Churchill's Profession: Statesman, Orator, Writer
Is it possible to offer a fresh perspective on a figure as familiar as Winston Churchill? Distinguished historian Peter Clarke shows the answer is yes. When Churchill received the Nobel Prize in 1953, it was not for his role as a world leader, but for his literature. In fact, Churchill was a gifted and successful writer long before he was a politician, publishing a stream of books and articles over the course of his life. In this engaging and revealing new narrative, Clarke traces the making of the magisterial work that occupied Churchill for a quarter century, his four-volume History of the English-Speaking Peoples.
Churchill signed the contract for History in 1932, at a time when his political career seemed over. His stunning return to power when the Nazis swept across Europe meant the book went uncompleted until the 1950s. But long before he took office, the massive project was shaping his worldview, his speeches, and his leadership: This was the work that defined the "special relationship" between Britain and America. In Mr. Churchill’s Profession, Peter Clarke explores an untold chapter in history and offers an intimate new portrait of an iconic leader.
Churchill signed the contract for History in 1932, at a time when his political career seemed over. His stunning return to power when the Nazis swept across Europe meant the book went uncompleted until the 1950s. But long before he took office, the massive project was shaping his worldview, his speeches, and his leadership: This was the work that defined the "special relationship" between Britain and America. In Mr. Churchill’s Profession, Peter Clarke explores an untold chapter in history and offers an intimate new portrait of an iconic leader.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 2012
9 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Clarke
13 books4 followersDr. Peter Frederick Clarke was Professor of Modern British History from 1991 to 2004 at Cambridge University and Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, from 2000 to 2004. He completed his BA in 1963, his MA and PhD in 1967, and his LittD in 1989 all at Cambridge University. A Fellow of the British Academy, he reviews books regularly for The Times Literary Supplement, the London Review of Books and the Sunday Times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 21, 2018
This biography was not what I expected, yet it surprised me greatly when it brought something new and uncovered about Churchill’s life to the table; his profound profession as an author.
In a literary and oral sense, Churchill possesses a remarkable way with words. This book strongly confirms my belief that the reasoning behind Churchill’s rise to fame is owed to his powerful rhetoric.
My only deep concern with this book is that Clarke decided to condense Churchill’s work on the Second World War into a few pages in understandable fear of reiterating a well covered topic. Nevertheless, I think the subject deserved more credit.
All in all, I throughly enjoyed the book and it has inspired me to continue reading up upon Churchill’s life.
In a literary and oral sense, Churchill possesses a remarkable way with words. This book strongly confirms my belief that the reasoning behind Churchill’s rise to fame is owed to his powerful rhetoric.
My only deep concern with this book is that Clarke decided to condense Churchill’s work on the Second World War into a few pages in understandable fear of reiterating a well covered topic. Nevertheless, I think the subject deserved more credit.
All in all, I throughly enjoyed the book and it has inspired me to continue reading up upon Churchill’s life.
February 16, 2013
The story of Winston Churchill is generally well-known – the courageous leader that led Britain through the dark days of World War II to victory. But what many people don’t realize is that this was but a blip in his life and in actually he considered himself a professional writer for most of his life.
That’s the subject of Mr. Churchill’s Profession by historian Peter Clarke. Churchill started writing very young and when it became a viable income source for him – his adventures abroad as a soldier made him famous – he dedicated himself to becoming a writer. He found that it was the one thing that could support his desire for ‘the good life.’ Being a soldier cost him money but it was his first source of material for his first few books.
Throughout Churchill’s life, he had two vocations, writing and politics. Occasionally the two conflicted – but when he was young he would spend his days working in government and his evenings writing giant works of literature (like his account of World War I). He had a varied career in writing and wrote on the subjects of Africa, Indian, World War I, his forbear the Duke of Marlborough, to a history of the English-Speaking Peoples and his personal account of World War II. It’s quite a portfolio of works.
Much of the book is dedicated to his composition of Marlborough: His Life and Times, which was his tribute to the first Churchill to make a name for himself (most notably at the Battle of Blenheim). This work consumed him and he spent most of the 1930′s (and continually pushing back delivery of the work) composing it – to the point where it exceeded 1 million words.
Peter Clarke goes into detail about the nitty-gritty of how Churchill got all of this work done. He talks about Churchill’s writing habits as well as how Churchill managed his various income streams. One thing is clear – he was a machine in his prime, churning out work after work – because he had to in order to keep the lights on.
There are some interesting lines of inquiry in the book at well. Churchill’s battles with the tax authorities are surprisingly interesting as he sought to maximize his earning and keep most of it out of the government’s hands. At one point Churchill had to officially retire from writing in order to avoid most of his earnings from the profession being seized by the taxman. His tax troubles improved after World War II when he got a bit of a pass and moved all his literary assets into a trust (which then paid him an income like a traditional company). When it came to dealing with publishers, it was a case of Churchill always over promising and over delivering – leading to multiple publishers pulling their hair out and wondering if they would ever get their contracted books.
Another interesting aspect of his work is actually how much of Churchill’s works he actually didn’t write. When writing most of his later works, he was aided by a staff of secretaries, historians and experts. Many would outline the works for him and he’d simply dictate into his own style. One of his final works, The History of the English Speaking Peoples, was mostly written before World War II but was not finished until nearly 20 years later, when he was too old to finish it properly and it had to be completed by this staff. It’s interesting to think that Churchill was one of the first major literary brands.
The book does get a bit tedious at times – there’s a very large section of the book dedicated to defining the ‘English Speaking Peoples’ and its history and how it came to Churchill’s tongue. While mildly interesting, it was a bit distracting. There’s also a major omission – the author doesn’t really cover the composition of Churchill’s WWII memoirs because this was already done in another book (which I’d now like to read).
The central argument of the book is that Churchill could not have been the leader that he was if it had not been for his career in writing. He had a way with words and that was necessary for his famous WWII speeches. Churchill often said that if he was only remembered as a writer, he’d be happy. It’s really rather inspirational and really makes me want to improve my own writing. I really enjoyed this different aspect of Churchill’s life, framed in the major events of the 20th century and I highly recommend it for the Churchill enthusiasts.
This review was originally published on Anglotopia.net
That’s the subject of Mr. Churchill’s Profession by historian Peter Clarke. Churchill started writing very young and when it became a viable income source for him – his adventures abroad as a soldier made him famous – he dedicated himself to becoming a writer. He found that it was the one thing that could support his desire for ‘the good life.’ Being a soldier cost him money but it was his first source of material for his first few books.
Throughout Churchill’s life, he had two vocations, writing and politics. Occasionally the two conflicted – but when he was young he would spend his days working in government and his evenings writing giant works of literature (like his account of World War I). He had a varied career in writing and wrote on the subjects of Africa, Indian, World War I, his forbear the Duke of Marlborough, to a history of the English-Speaking Peoples and his personal account of World War II. It’s quite a portfolio of works.
Much of the book is dedicated to his composition of Marlborough: His Life and Times, which was his tribute to the first Churchill to make a name for himself (most notably at the Battle of Blenheim). This work consumed him and he spent most of the 1930′s (and continually pushing back delivery of the work) composing it – to the point where it exceeded 1 million words.
Peter Clarke goes into detail about the nitty-gritty of how Churchill got all of this work done. He talks about Churchill’s writing habits as well as how Churchill managed his various income streams. One thing is clear – he was a machine in his prime, churning out work after work – because he had to in order to keep the lights on.
There are some interesting lines of inquiry in the book at well. Churchill’s battles with the tax authorities are surprisingly interesting as he sought to maximize his earning and keep most of it out of the government’s hands. At one point Churchill had to officially retire from writing in order to avoid most of his earnings from the profession being seized by the taxman. His tax troubles improved after World War II when he got a bit of a pass and moved all his literary assets into a trust (which then paid him an income like a traditional company). When it came to dealing with publishers, it was a case of Churchill always over promising and over delivering – leading to multiple publishers pulling their hair out and wondering if they would ever get their contracted books.
Another interesting aspect of his work is actually how much of Churchill’s works he actually didn’t write. When writing most of his later works, he was aided by a staff of secretaries, historians and experts. Many would outline the works for him and he’d simply dictate into his own style. One of his final works, The History of the English Speaking Peoples, was mostly written before World War II but was not finished until nearly 20 years later, when he was too old to finish it properly and it had to be completed by this staff. It’s interesting to think that Churchill was one of the first major literary brands.
The book does get a bit tedious at times – there’s a very large section of the book dedicated to defining the ‘English Speaking Peoples’ and its history and how it came to Churchill’s tongue. While mildly interesting, it was a bit distracting. There’s also a major omission – the author doesn’t really cover the composition of Churchill’s WWII memoirs because this was already done in another book (which I’d now like to read).
The central argument of the book is that Churchill could not have been the leader that he was if it had not been for his career in writing. He had a way with words and that was necessary for his famous WWII speeches. Churchill often said that if he was only remembered as a writer, he’d be happy. It’s really rather inspirational and really makes me want to improve my own writing. I really enjoyed this different aspect of Churchill’s life, framed in the major events of the 20th century and I highly recommend it for the Churchill enthusiasts.
This review was originally published on Anglotopia.net
December 7, 2012
An interesting book that does something that few biographies are able to do at this point: put a new spin on the life of Winston Churchill. The typical biography of Sir Winston looks at the man from the perspective of his tremendous political/military accomplishments with his ongoing financial worries lurking and being glancingly referenced in the background.
The one reservation I have - though it is grounded in an understandable choice made by the author - is that it omits the entire history of Churchill's "Second World War" on the sensible grounds that the topic has been covered in great detail elsewhere. It seems to me that a survey of his career as an author, even if the full details of the composition of that series were to be minimized, requires at least some examination of that work.
The one reservation I have - though it is grounded in an understandable choice made by the author - is that it omits the entire history of Churchill's "Second World War" on the sensible grounds that the topic has been covered in great detail elsewhere. It seems to me that a survey of his career as an author, even if the full details of the composition of that series were to be minimized, requires at least some examination of that work.
March 2, 2014
I was slightly disappointed with this book, which seems to set out to emulate David Reynold's 'In Command of History' which followed the business and writing of Churchill's 'The Second World War'. Churchill's heart was never fully in 'History of the English-Speaking Peoples', the book that Clarke follows over the twenty five years from its genesis until final publication. His story line is therefore not as strong, but nor is his material: Reynold's research and writing has the edge. Having said that, both historians touch on a fascinating side of Churchill - the way he set about earning a living, given aristocratic penchant for extravagance and risk-taking. This is a subject that I have been researching thoroughly, because there has never been a complete treatment - and on which hope to publish next year.
December 30, 2014
As they say, he who writes history... Churchill better than anyone in recent history understood both the power of written and spoken word. Great book on how Churchill cemented his place in history, particularly in the US.
June 13, 2018
A very good complement to David Reynolds' "In command of history", the book focuses on Churchill as a writer, and particularly about his "History of the English-Speaking Peoples".
September 2, 2024
A fascinating and entertaining account of Churchill's writing career.
April 22, 2014
4. Peter Clarke, Mr. Churchill’s Profession (Bloomsbury Press, 2012): Junior army officer, adventurous war correspondent, politician, memoirist, historian-biographer, statesman, spokesman for the British Empire, the US-British alliance, and a US of Europe, Winston Churchill may have led the single richest life of anyone on the planet during his 90 years (1874-1965). An aristocrat of very little means, he found in writing both the means to live an important life and, equally critical to him, to live life large. While writing my blog series on “The books that…” this US-UK dual citizen/subject-at-birth quickly realized that Churchill was the first historian whose works beyond my parents Christmas gift I sought out. Since his death, a number books have been published on various aspects of his literary career. While Clarke’s book ostensibly focuses on Churchill’s final major opus, his four-volume History of the English Speaking Peoples, his narrative builds to this point, by telling the twin story of how Sir Winston came to write each of his major works, how his political career both inspired and hamstrung his literary efforts, how he relied upon a team of researchers, and increasingly in his old age, writers, to draft and polish the millions of words published under his name. Essential to an understanding of Churchill’s literary career is the work of his agents and lawyers to hard-line negotiate brilliant contracts that enabled him to live beyond his means, even to pay for his working vacations and those of his entourage in places like the French Riviera. The financial legerdemain and literary subterfuges are not the whole story. At the core, Churchill’s brilliance as a biographer (especially of his most noted ancestor, John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough), and war leader during Great Britain’s darkest hours are likewise an integral part of the story. I’ve also read David Reynolds’ In Command of History: Churchill Writing and Fighting the Second World War, and a couple more volumes in the genre are on deck, but recommend Clarke’s book as a starter in the subject.
July 8, 2016
A look at the writing life. Churchill apparently paid the bills - when he paid them - mostly through his writing and his writing comprises many volumes. Both his view of Empire (that's in a different book) and his idea of the "special relationship" between Britain & the US, would have been less widely accepted had he not written so much, in so many media, for so many years. Had he not been such a spendthrift, fewer books would have been written by him, and fewer records would exist to write about his foibles.
Not the page-turner of "No More Champagne: Churchill and his money," which covers some of the same ground more brilliantly, this book about his writing includes the other side of many of his publishing transactions.
Churchill was brilliant, but had human flaws. He was a rotten parent, spoiled, extravagant, entitled, and tempestuous. Had he not lived there's a good chance many of us English-speakers would be speaking German. Yet it's good to see a viewpoint that doesn't totally idolize the hero. It's my view that realizing flaws are inevitable in our leaders is the beginning of accepting and acquiescing to their humanity.
Not the page-turner of "No More Champagne: Churchill and his money," which covers some of the same ground more brilliantly, this book about his writing includes the other side of many of his publishing transactions.
Churchill was brilliant, but had human flaws. He was a rotten parent, spoiled, extravagant, entitled, and tempestuous. Had he not lived there's a good chance many of us English-speakers would be speaking German. Yet it's good to see a viewpoint that doesn't totally idolize the hero. It's my view that realizing flaws are inevitable in our leaders is the beginning of accepting and acquiescing to their humanity.
June 2, 2013
A biographical portrait which focuses on Churchill as a writer, from his early journalistic works to his magnum opus, "History of the English Speaking Peoples.'
Good, detailed exposition of how each work came to be written (this is particularly handy if you ever wanted to read Churchill's writings but didn't know which one to start with) Churchill's relationship with his publishers, how each one of his works came to be written,his publishing contracts, his remuneration, even his tax situation and spending habits. Some interesting background on the origin of the concept of 'the English speaking peoples.'
Glosses over the politics and the analysis can be downright superficial sometimes.
August 30, 2015
The book shows the author side of Mr. Churchill and how he used his author skills to support his personal finances throughout his life. We almost always see Mr. Churchill as the great world leader who helped win WW II in Europe. A quote from the author says it well: "Churchill’s profession was, in an important sense, in literature. His vocation, however, was in politics". Good read worth investing the time. I read the book on a KINDLE Paperwhite.
September 24, 2016
Loved this book. The economic pressures that drove Churchill all the way through his career are immense. This book fully activated all my anxieties... But its a rollicking good tale. Well worth the read ,it is a little bit "inside baseball" but the author always brings it around with a quick look at the long view. Gladly, Mr. Churchill wins both the war and the race.... Good fun for any reader
June 11, 2016
I think some of Churchill's overlong loquaciousness infected a number of sections in this book; the income tax digressions can occasionally be mind-shredding, and the examination of what is meant by "English speaking peoples" could be condensed. But as a book that takes a fascinating look outside of the usual parameters of an examination of Winston Churchill, this definitely succeeds.
December 4, 2012
Author goes on and on about the phase "English speaking peoples" to the point of boredom. I enjoyed the mechanical and productional aspects of Churchill's writing/publication but the text veered off on top many occasions.
August 31, 2012
My review to be published in The Historian (Phi Alpha Theta-honorary history society) in 2013.
May 28, 2018
I loved this book. I read it before I started "Winston Churchill, The Last Lion." I knew that Churchill was a writer, I have "History of the English Speaking People's" even though I haven't read it yet. But to fond out that he made most of his living as a writer, even when he was Prime Minister, was an eye opener. And to find out just how much he had written was astounding.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews