Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years

by Martin Gilbert

Chronicles the period 1929-1939, when Churchill--cast out by his party's defeat at the polls and stripped of much of his personal wealth by the crash--carefully worked his way back to the pinnacle to face the Nazi juggernaut

Genres: Biography, History, Politics, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

The official biographer of Winston Churchill and a leading historian on the Twentieth Century, Sir Martin Gilbert was a scholar and an historian who, though his 88 books, has shown there is such a thing as “true history”

Born in London in 1936, Martin Gilbert was educated at Highgate School, and Magdalen College, Oxford, graduating with First Class Honours. He was a Research Scholar at St Anthony's College, and became a Fellow of Merton College, Oxford in 1962, and an Honorary Fellow in 1994. After working as a researcher for Randolph Churchill, Gilbert was chosen to take over the writing of the Churchill biography upon Randolph's death in 1968, writing six of the eight volumes of biography and editing twelve volumes of documents. In addition, Gilbert has written pioneering and classic works on the First and Second World Wars, the Twentieth Century, the Holocaust, and Jewish history.
Gilbert drove every aspect of his books, from finding archives to corresponding with eyewitnesses and participants that gave his work veracity and meaning, to finding and choosing illustrations, drawing maps that mention each place in the text, and compiling the indexes. He travelled widely lecturing and researching, advised political figures and filmmakers, and gave a voice and a name “to those who fought and those who fell.”

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Reviews

[Donovan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book of a short time period in Churchill's life. It is hard to really comprehend how frustrated he must have been at times during this segment of history. Of course we know how he was justified in the end but to have never given up when those in power continually did all they could to marginalize him is astonishing.

This book seems to clearly show how good leadership rallies people around a leader who is able to digest ideas and events presented from various perspectives and make forecasts- always a risk- then take action that will potentially bring about a greater good.

Churchill was not perfect. Currently there seem to be several movies that focus on some of his weaker moments making him seem insubstantial in the world in which he lived. But even a cursory examination of this book and way Gilbert guides the reader through this dark precursor to a darker day shows that there were bright moments and people seeking the welfare of the Great Britain and Europe as a whole. Churchill, according to Gilbert's research, was sought out by people of virtually every European nation for his ability to interpret and forecast accurately the political climate developing in 1930's Europe. The fact that so many, even Germans, recognized this ability should once again confirm the significance he played in history even before his own country afforded him the opportunity.

Once again Gilbert shows his ability to grasp the abundance of materials pertaining to this period of history and the major players, and present it clearly. There is little doubt that Gilbert is the writer to consult when Winston Churchill is the subject of the query.

[Clay Layfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite read for anyone wanting to grasp the genius that was Winston Churchill. While he is rightly remembered for his leadership during 1940-45, it was only made possible because of his prophetic voice during 1933-39. Many times Churchill was accused of politically bending to the wind (changing parties twice), but this era of his life showed his determination to stand by principle and conviction when virtually every voice in government was singing a much different tune. No amount of ridicule or political neglect would cause him to alter his position or soften his blows by one single degree. Perhaps the biggest “what if” in the 20th century is wondering how the world might be different today had the democracies heeded Churchill’s clarion call for action a half decade earlier. Examining his life makes me long for a new Churchill to emerge in our own time.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the life of Winston Churchill between World War I and World War II. It explains Churchill's work through this strenuous time between countries. It comment on his role leading up to the second war and his actions in the government. It also explained the home life of Churchill during this time and the effect it had on his family. It also brought light the struggle that was happening in Churchill during this time and how he tried to combat it. This book sheds light on the development of Churchill from another politician to the prime minister of one of the greatest disasters in history. Would recommend but not as a leisure read more as an informative read to clarify a few things about this man.

[Sir Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Churchill was a great man.
He was in the Boer wars in africa.
He was quarter native and loved partys.
He was in parliament in england.
Then world war he faked apendasites.
Then india and ghandi who he hated.
Then hitler who he hated as much as stalin.
After roosevelt died he met trueman.
In potsdam were nuclear war was faced.
Then Eisenhower who started the cold war.
Churchill help prevent nuke war with russia.
He died of a stroke during I like ike.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin Gilbert is Winston Churchill's official biographer. He has written an insightful study of how Great Britain allowed considerations of political convenience and budgetary "necessity" to control policy. Churchill was provided with secret inside information by a group of men in Government that allowed him to warn of the Nazi danger, even before the rise of Hitler. The Government consistently fought against him, even refusing him the right to broadcast, but Churchill persevered.

[Paul R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert is great

[Cincylitigator · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. makes me remorseful for having spent so much time indulging my morbid curiosity in reading tomes about Hitler while neglecting the positive side of the equation. While reading of Hitler is ultimately tedious and depressing, reading of Churchill is edifying I'm.comparison. this is a short book but it will teach much showing the heights to which humanity may climb in the person of Churchill. While I have looked long and hard I have never found a person so singularly admirable as this genuis Churchill. the book crescendos at.the end with the begimm

[Walter Herrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, and mostly interesting. .. but not all the way through.

[mari]

It was PERFECT for my A level history coursework. That is all