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Churchill: The Prophetic Statesman
"Perhaps it is a cliche that a politician thinks of the next election and a statesman of the next generation, yet my grandfather found merit in the maxim. He had known leaders he esteemed as the greatest of statesmen…Churchill, however, was the leader he admired above all…In hundreds of studies of Churchill, no one else, remarkably enough, has focused on Churchill's predictions and prophecies. James Humes has produced a book that is unique as well as necessary for an understanding of statesmanship." —David Eisenhower, author and senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
31 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
James C. Humes
49 books28 followersJames C. Humes was Ronald Reagan's speechwriter. He also wrote speeches for George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon and Dwight Eisenhower. He has served as a communications advisor to major U.S. corporations, including IBM and DuPont. He is the author of twenty-three other books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 9, 2022
A fantastic little book. This book is the practical answer to the "How to Eat an Elephant?" question. Attempting to cover such a sprawling and consequential life as that of Churchill would be a daunting task for any biographer. Taking small bites as you focus on certain qualities of the man seems to be a winning prescription. I had no idea how seemingly clairvoyant the English statesman was. What a life and legacy! This book is an incredible testament to the man of near immeasurable impact on world history.
August 29, 2018
This book is not a comprehensive biography on Churchill. It does as the title suggests: reviews the many, many statements about the future that Churchill made in his life. I know that Churchill stated that you just have to know the past to predict the future, but it is uncanny how often he could predict it. I would say that the man had a gift at the very least. A super interesting read!
August 30, 2013
There is always something new to learn about Churchill's amazing life. In this book it was that during WW1 he had himself flown across the channel from London then over no mans land so he could report on battles direct to the cabinet in the evening. The book is good as a catalogue of all the extraordinary predictions and insights of his long career but the authors hero worship starts to wear a bit thin towards the end and I started to crave a bit more balance and context. It starts to sound a bit like the North Korean propaganda ministry lauding Kim Jong il's achievements. Churchill was famous for his never ending pouring forth of ideas, but not all of them were good. A survey of the less successful schemes might have been useful
The worst parts of the book are where the author tries to make Churchill fit into his contemporary ideological outlook. For example Churchill's hostility to socialism is drafted into make a point about Obamas supposed "socialistic" policies - a laughable proposition to non Americans not bound up in the poisonous culture wars that bedevil much of American discourse. The section warning of the rise of islamic fundamentalism was fair enough although shoe horned into it was a prediction about Al quaeda and 9/11 which stretched the point a bit. it would have been nice to bookend the islamic stuff with another Churchill warning from the 1930s about the possibility that a powerful Israeli state might be able not be able to resist expanding beyond its borders.
A better book, and covering much similar territory, is Martin Gilbert's "Churchill: the power of words" which is composed solely of the great mans writings. However I do recommend the book as it is full of info. I especially liked Clement Attlee's quote about Churchill being made up of layers: that he was part 18thC in his outlook but also part 21st century as well.
The worst parts of the book are where the author tries to make Churchill fit into his contemporary ideological outlook. For example Churchill's hostility to socialism is drafted into make a point about Obamas supposed "socialistic" policies - a laughable proposition to non Americans not bound up in the poisonous culture wars that bedevil much of American discourse. The section warning of the rise of islamic fundamentalism was fair enough although shoe horned into it was a prediction about Al quaeda and 9/11 which stretched the point a bit. it would have been nice to bookend the islamic stuff with another Churchill warning from the 1930s about the possibility that a powerful Israeli state might be able not be able to resist expanding beyond its borders.
A better book, and covering much similar territory, is Martin Gilbert's "Churchill: the power of words" which is composed solely of the great mans writings. However I do recommend the book as it is full of info. I especially liked Clement Attlee's quote about Churchill being made up of layers: that he was part 18thC in his outlook but also part 21st century as well.
February 21, 2020
I listened to the audio book from the library (read wonderfully and entertainingly by Matthew Brenher) and it was every thing I could have wished for. It was so jaw dropping, so amazing, that I plan on buying it. It is a look at how very good Churchill was at projecting the future from the current trajectories he observed. He was like one of those super computers that can extrapolate the future from inputting data from the past and present. I have always admired Churchill but now I am in awe of him. He was like a modern day Nostradamus without the mumbo jumbo. He spoke clearly and at length about the issues that have impacted the world and changed history. My brain was swimming after each chapter. Do we have anyone like him today? He wasn't a futurist, he was THE futurist. I want to put up a framed portrait of Churchill after reading this. And maybe light a votive candle to put under it.
January 25, 2026
Longer read but worthy of admiration. Humes lays out a case for the prime minister as castigator of a crystal ball. From youth to death, Winston clearly had a knack for identifying patterns of historical precedence: economic, war, conflict and contention alike.
January 7, 2014
There are many books about Winston Churchill but this one is unique. Whereas others may feature all or a portion of his life “Churchill: The Prophetic Statesman” is essentially a collection of statements and predictions made by Churchill that came true. The predictions run a broad gamut from the start of World War I, his own return to power, Arab Radicalism, the fall of Hitler and the Iron Curtain, the development of atomic weapons and the date of his own death to name just a few.
I view this work with two biases in mind. First, I have the highest respect for Winston Churchill. Second, I have a suspicion for anyone who picks prior statements and finds fulfillment in subsequent developments. I think that author James Humes makes a good case for the premise that Churchill’s greatness was based in large part on his vision that extended far beyond that of most people. I remain skeptical that all of the examples he gives are really fulfilled prophecies. I suspect that some are taken out of context and applied to events to which they bear no relationship. That notwithstanding this is an interesting book that stimulates the mind to ponder Churchill’s greatness, his magnificent career and, yes, his prophetic vision.
I view this work with two biases in mind. First, I have the highest respect for Winston Churchill. Second, I have a suspicion for anyone who picks prior statements and finds fulfillment in subsequent developments. I think that author James Humes makes a good case for the premise that Churchill’s greatness was based in large part on his vision that extended far beyond that of most people. I remain skeptical that all of the examples he gives are really fulfilled prophecies. I suspect that some are taken out of context and applied to events to which they bear no relationship. That notwithstanding this is an interesting book that stimulates the mind to ponder Churchill’s greatness, his magnificent career and, yes, his prophetic vision.
December 7, 2012
If you are a fan of Churchill you’ll want to read or listen to this book. It would also be a great gift! I found it interesting as well as informative – both on a level that forced a “Wow!” out of me from time to time. Although I enjoyed listening to the book I would recommend also reading the print book. I had to stop and ‘rewind’ more than a few times to get the full gist of what had just been said. If I’d been reading the actual book there would have been a lot of highlighting involved.
That said, I thought narrator Matthew Brenher did a wonderful job with James C. Humes’ book. His Churchill voice was very good and fit perfectly into the narrative of each passage.
I find myself wanting to read more about Churchill and I see that Mr. Humes has written a few more so I’ll add them to my TBR list. Recommended.
That said, I thought narrator Matthew Brenher did a wonderful job with James C. Humes’ book. His Churchill voice was very good and fit perfectly into the narrative of each passage.
I find myself wanting to read more about Churchill and I see that Mr. Humes has written a few more so I’ll add them to my TBR list. Recommended.
August 29, 2018
2nd reading - There is so much history. How this man retained everything he ever read and used this info, you would have thought his mind was computer. Such visions he had and such drive. If only we had such a man at this time.
David Eisenhower’s (Dwight’s grandson) forward was perfect. I agree with those that feel Churchill was fearless in speaking out his warnings and predictions…not at all worried what others thought. He spoke without fear of being unpopular, “risking political death or defeat”. He told people what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.
I loved the comment Nixon made about Churchill…that he had his own crystal ball.
I could read this again.....Churchill is a man I greatly admire.
David Eisenhower’s (Dwight’s grandson) forward was perfect. I agree with those that feel Churchill was fearless in speaking out his warnings and predictions…not at all worried what others thought. He spoke without fear of being unpopular, “risking political death or defeat”. He told people what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.
I loved the comment Nixon made about Churchill…that he had his own crystal ball.
I could read this again.....Churchill is a man I greatly admire.
August 10, 2016
I thought it was great. I listened to the audiobook, and the reader did a great job including a consistently sound (and not overdone) Churchill impersonation when the book quoted Churchill. This added to the overall experience. I have read multiple biographies of Churchill (including the standard-setting Manchester books), but none which focused specifically on Churchill's long-term vision. The man undeniably saw the world farther and clearer than just about any other leader of the last 100 years. .
June 13, 2024
I rarely give a book a five star rating, but this book by James Humes certainly qualifies in that regard. The amount of work that the author would've had to have done, to include so many quotes from Sir Winston Churchill must have been huge. Churchill was indeed a prophetic statesman
He saw into the future so well both militarily, as well as geographically and politically. He saw that the independence of India from the Commonwealth would lead to war between Muslims and Hindus.
He was staunchly anti-Muslim with his belief that all Muslims saw women as possessions rather than as free people. He was a friend to the Jewish people throughout his life and said that there would be one day a Jewish homeland and years later when he was able to give help to this, he did so. He early on saw the need to change British battleships from coal powered to oil power increasing their speed and armaments at the same time. He was responsible for starting the Royal Air Force with the introduction of the Royal Naval air service just before World War I. He saw that AirPower would be a great armament in the future even when most people at that time saw it has a mere hobby. He accurately saw the power of Science in armaments to believe that World War I would rapidly become a stalemate. Is he dead by his involvement in the Boer war in South Africa, I've seen just how well the modern rifle and modern machine gun could work. He also was instrumental in the development of the tank and named it that so that the Germans would believe that it was a water carrier alone and that tanks would need to be present in great numbers to create any military breakthrough.
He said, as a boy at Harrow, that Britain would one day come under attack and that he would be in a position of power to help defend London. Of course we all know of his prophetic leadership during the 1930s when he saw that Adolf Hitler would come to power and be a great threat to the democracy of Europe. He accurately predicted the re-taking off the Rhineland as well as the political conquering of Czechoslovakia and ultimately the attack on Poland. Months before Germany was to attack Russia in operation Barbarossa, he contacted Stalin to tell him that he would be attacked but Stalin would have none of this. Of course Churchill was a staunch anti-Communist as well as antisocialist throughout his life. He said that, "capitalism will allow the country to share the wealth whilst socialism will allow the country to share the misery." He coined the term the Iron Curtain. He correctly believed that Britain would defend herself during the Second World War and go on to be part of Hitler's downfall with the aid of the United States. He accurately predicted that Japan would try and take over the Far East. He realised that the Western allies should push east as fast as they would to prevent the USSR taking over most of Eastern Europe which was contrary to the view of President Eisenhower. He predicted that the United Nations would be as powerless as the league of Nations by giving any nation a power of a veto vote which has been used repeatedly by the USSR and since the fall of communism repeatedly still by Russia. When asked earlier in his life how he was able to come up with these predictions which proved to be accurate, he stated that he had no mysticism but merely used the power of history to look into the future. He said that, "the more one looks into the past the further one can see into the future". He even predicted the date of his death as January 24 - which to be honest is probably a lucky coincidence.
This was a superb book by this American author and eminently readable and I strongly recommend it.
He saw into the future so well both militarily, as well as geographically and politically. He saw that the independence of India from the Commonwealth would lead to war between Muslims and Hindus.
He was staunchly anti-Muslim with his belief that all Muslims saw women as possessions rather than as free people. He was a friend to the Jewish people throughout his life and said that there would be one day a Jewish homeland and years later when he was able to give help to this, he did so. He early on saw the need to change British battleships from coal powered to oil power increasing their speed and armaments at the same time. He was responsible for starting the Royal Air Force with the introduction of the Royal Naval air service just before World War I. He saw that AirPower would be a great armament in the future even when most people at that time saw it has a mere hobby. He accurately saw the power of Science in armaments to believe that World War I would rapidly become a stalemate. Is he dead by his involvement in the Boer war in South Africa, I've seen just how well the modern rifle and modern machine gun could work. He also was instrumental in the development of the tank and named it that so that the Germans would believe that it was a water carrier alone and that tanks would need to be present in great numbers to create any military breakthrough.
He said, as a boy at Harrow, that Britain would one day come under attack and that he would be in a position of power to help defend London. Of course we all know of his prophetic leadership during the 1930s when he saw that Adolf Hitler would come to power and be a great threat to the democracy of Europe. He accurately predicted the re-taking off the Rhineland as well as the political conquering of Czechoslovakia and ultimately the attack on Poland. Months before Germany was to attack Russia in operation Barbarossa, he contacted Stalin to tell him that he would be attacked but Stalin would have none of this. Of course Churchill was a staunch anti-Communist as well as antisocialist throughout his life. He said that, "capitalism will allow the country to share the wealth whilst socialism will allow the country to share the misery." He coined the term the Iron Curtain. He correctly believed that Britain would defend herself during the Second World War and go on to be part of Hitler's downfall with the aid of the United States. He accurately predicted that Japan would try and take over the Far East. He realised that the Western allies should push east as fast as they would to prevent the USSR taking over most of Eastern Europe which was contrary to the view of President Eisenhower. He predicted that the United Nations would be as powerless as the league of Nations by giving any nation a power of a veto vote which has been used repeatedly by the USSR and since the fall of communism repeatedly still by Russia. When asked earlier in his life how he was able to come up with these predictions which proved to be accurate, he stated that he had no mysticism but merely used the power of history to look into the future. He said that, "the more one looks into the past the further one can see into the future". He even predicted the date of his death as January 24 - which to be honest is probably a lucky coincidence.
This was a superb book by this American author and eminently readable and I strongly recommend it.
March 3, 2018
This book checks out how well Churchill predicted the future. It is an interesting concept and idea. Although Churchill would have dismissed it. A Politician needs, “the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen.”
It is a good book but author may be too in love with his subject. Humes makes makes good case.
It is interesting to see how Churchill could envision what would happen. The end of the Cold War, Hitler, and visions of saving London as a 16 year old. It seems to have been daydreams combined with historical knowledge and astute observations on culture. Many of his predictions based on knowledge of history. Could see patterns and ‘social forces’ that would shape what was next. He had an understanding of evil, ‘knew Hitler better than Hitler knew him.” Presciently he was working on Louis XIV when Hitler starting rising up and saw the parallels. He predicted technology, liked author’s view that Churchill never feared technology and tried to see how it fit into the future. He could put the pieces in like a puzzle.
Churchill was an optimist, feared war but not was willing to fight. The spooky part is his vision in his only novel. Incredibly tells a bit of the story he would be part of in World War II. The parallels with the Second World War and the hero in it and Churchill seems very prophetic. Interesting book, different perspective on Churchill, his predictions and inventive mind help create tanks and the Mulberry harbors. Truly did, as Nixon said, have his own crystal ball.
It is a good book but author may be too in love with his subject. Humes makes makes good case.
It is interesting to see how Churchill could envision what would happen. The end of the Cold War, Hitler, and visions of saving London as a 16 year old. It seems to have been daydreams combined with historical knowledge and astute observations on culture. Many of his predictions based on knowledge of history. Could see patterns and ‘social forces’ that would shape what was next. He had an understanding of evil, ‘knew Hitler better than Hitler knew him.” Presciently he was working on Louis XIV when Hitler starting rising up and saw the parallels. He predicted technology, liked author’s view that Churchill never feared technology and tried to see how it fit into the future. He could put the pieces in like a puzzle.
Churchill was an optimist, feared war but not was willing to fight. The spooky part is his vision in his only novel. Incredibly tells a bit of the story he would be part of in World War II. The parallels with the Second World War and the hero in it and Churchill seems very prophetic. Interesting book, different perspective on Churchill, his predictions and inventive mind help create tanks and the Mulberry harbors. Truly did, as Nixon said, have his own crystal ball.
November 17, 2017
When I started a leadership training we were asked to choose a leadership figure that we would like to emulate and am proud off, I choose Churchill. This book gives me an understanding why he is called a man with an iron will. If one is faced with so much opposition, it will often cause one to doubt his/hers ownself, but the case is not true for Churchill. This book tells another story about Churchill, it tells a story by which a leader has this ability to forecast the future and with that skill, he voices his opinion on what should be done. The message that he delivered was so much ahead of its time that majority of his co-workers and counterparts dismisses him. It tells a story about his conviction to his vision and how willingly he admits his mistakes if he is wrong and moves on. A good read if you are a Churchill fan.
March 22, 2023
Churchill was a great statesman because he could see the future. His ability to understand trends and decide his position based on what he forecast is what contributed to his greatness. He has a powerful quote about how you can look into the future based on how far you understand the past.
This book covers some of his best predictions including the invention of tanks, nuclear weapons, the rise of Hitler, communism, the EU, the fecklessness of the UN, the Cold War and the Iron Curtain, that of his loss as PM, the rise of Israel, dependence on oil and extremism in the Middle East. His knowledge of history was impressive but it was his ability to apply it’s lessons that is most impressive. Fun quick read.
This book covers some of his best predictions including the invention of tanks, nuclear weapons, the rise of Hitler, communism, the EU, the fecklessness of the UN, the Cold War and the Iron Curtain, that of his loss as PM, the rise of Israel, dependence on oil and extremism in the Middle East. His knowledge of history was impressive but it was his ability to apply it’s lessons that is most impressive. Fun quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2025
Churchill's ability to look into the future and make accurate predictions is explored by James Humes with insight and enlightenment. He connects the dots for the reader to understand this less well known aspect of his leadership style. Churchill knew things long before they were to occur. His uncanny ability to warn his people of the future was seldom appreciated as events transpired. In retrospect, we can see what a great man WC was. Often called a Renaissance Man, prophecy is one more aspect of his complex character. Unique and brilliant are complimented by the title Prophet.
January 4, 2020
this for me was a little out my comfort zone , a book i would never have picked up . but it came across my audible and i thought why not. some sections did confuse me more because i didn't understand the words however it was an eye opener , well written and packed full of history facts . it has pushed me to go looking for more books on Churchill so watch this space . over all i enjoyed it but gave it three stars purely based on the fact i'm not sure how to rate a book like this .
October 29, 2025
Lydbok - erkeengelsk. Litt vel ukritisk kanskje..?
Tittelen peker på en profetisk og altvitende statsmann, og hele boka underbygger dette.
Savner kanskje noe mer analyse rundt feiltrinnene han foretok seg, som eksempelvis valgnederlaget etter VK2 blir ettergått. Med the Crown sesong 1 og The Darkest hour med seg er det lett å se igjen Winston, og dette er kanskje en god inngang til andre biografier.
Tittelen peker på en profetisk og altvitende statsmann, og hele boka underbygger dette.
Savner kanskje noe mer analyse rundt feiltrinnene han foretok seg, som eksempelvis valgnederlaget etter VK2 blir ettergått. Med the Crown sesong 1 og The Darkest hour med seg er det lett å se igjen Winston, og dette er kanskje en god inngang til andre biografier.
March 24, 2017
This was fascinating. The author's basic premise - that Churchill had such a strong knowledge of history that he was able to predict major historic events - was well illustrated. He quoted from essays Churchill wrote as an adolescent schoolboy through to speeches he made through is political career and beyond. (He coined the phrase "Iron Curtain" at a post WWII speech in Fulton, MO.)
March 10, 2022
Loved this book, and learning about Churchill. I do believe he was a polymath and a higher density being travelling through Earth once more to share his wisdom. I loved how the chapters broken down into each era gave insight into those times as well. I'm tired of the one-sided view of Churchill portrayed in the media so this was refreshing.
January 27, 2019
This book gave me an appreciation of how Churchill took the time to understand the situations he faced and was able to predict future outcomes. We see a much different politician than we see today at all different levels of government.
July 22, 2019
A fascinating introduction into Churchill. I wish there was even more detail into his many, many correct predictions of world events, but for anyone not sure why they should care about Churchill, this book should serve as the perfect teaser to get them to read more about this remarkable man.
September 20, 2017
A well written and well documented book on a most amazing man. So many great quotes and insights. A pleasure to read.
May 18, 2018
A very in-depth look at the many, many things Churchill predicted well into our day... and with chilling detail.
June 6, 2019
Fabulous fantastic great resource for any churchillian...
October 23, 2019
A very enlightening historical account of many of Churchill's predictions, many dating as much as 20 or 30 years before they came to pass. A fascinating read.
January 4, 2020
Loved it
November 11, 2021
We still need Winston Churchill. With every book I read about him, of that fact, I become more sure.
May 1, 2022
A little in hero worship side but a pretty good book. It does leave out some of the bad posts of his story.
August 10, 2022
Proof that the study of history is vital if you want to have an idea of what the future will bring.
Read
March 21, 2024Very good summary. Amazing man
May 9, 2025
Too much about the cult of Churchill to be considered interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews