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Oblivion or Glory: 1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill
After the tragic consequences of his involvement in the catastrophic Dardanelles Campaign of World War I, Churchill's political career seemed over. He was widely regarded as little more than a bombastic and unpredictable buccaneer until, in 1921, an unexpected inheritance heralded a series of events that laid the foundations for his future success.
Renowned Churchill scholar David Stafford delves into the statesman's life in 1921, the year in which his political career revived. From his political negotiations in the Anglo-Irish treaty that created the Irish Free State to his tumultuous relationship with his "wild cousin" Clare Sheridan, sculptor of Lenin and subject of an MI5 investigation, this broad account explores the nuances of Churchill's private and public lives. This is an engaging portrait of this overlooked yet pivotal year in the great man's life.
Renowned Churchill scholar David Stafford delves into the statesman's life in 1921, the year in which his political career revived. From his political negotiations in the Anglo-Irish treaty that created the Irish Free State to his tumultuous relationship with his "wild cousin" Clare Sheridan, sculptor of Lenin and subject of an MI5 investigation, this broad account explores the nuances of Churchill's private and public lives. This is an engaging portrait of this overlooked yet pivotal year in the great man's life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2019
50 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
David Stafford
21 books14 followersDavid Alexander Tetlow Stafford is projects director at Edinburgh University's Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars and Leverhulme Emeritus Professor in the University's School of History, Classics and Archaeology.
Stafford took his B.A. at Downing College, Cambridge in 1963. He then undertook postgraduate study at the University of London, taking an M.A. and finally his Ph.D. in history in 1968.
Beginning his career with government service, Stafford served in the British Diplomatic Service as a third secretary at the Foreign Office from 1967 to 1968, and then as second secretary in 1968. He then took up an appointment as research associate (1968–70) at the Centre of International Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
He then became assistant professor of history (1970–76) at Canada's University of Victoria in British Columbia. He was promoted to associate professor of history (1976–82) and finally professor of history (1982–84). He then became director of studies (1985–86) and executive director (1986–92) at the Canadian Institute of International Affairs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From 1992 to 2000 Stafford became a visiting professor at Edinburgh University's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, and then, from 2000, he became projects director at the Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars.
Stafford is particularly noted for his scholarly works concerning Winston Churchill and British intelligence, various aspects of the Second World War, and Twentieth Century intelligence and espionage with a focus on Britain. He now resides in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
He is a regular book reviewer, appearing in The Times (London), BBC History Magazine, The Spectator, The Times Literary Supplement, The New York Times, the Times Herald Tribune (Paris), and Saturday Night and the Globe and Mail (Toronto).
Stafford took his B.A. at Downing College, Cambridge in 1963. He then undertook postgraduate study at the University of London, taking an M.A. and finally his Ph.D. in history in 1968.
Beginning his career with government service, Stafford served in the British Diplomatic Service as a third secretary at the Foreign Office from 1967 to 1968, and then as second secretary in 1968. He then took up an appointment as research associate (1968–70) at the Centre of International Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
He then became assistant professor of history (1970–76) at Canada's University of Victoria in British Columbia. He was promoted to associate professor of history (1976–82) and finally professor of history (1982–84). He then became director of studies (1985–86) and executive director (1986–92) at the Canadian Institute of International Affairs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From 1992 to 2000 Stafford became a visiting professor at Edinburgh University's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, and then, from 2000, he became projects director at the Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars.
Stafford is particularly noted for his scholarly works concerning Winston Churchill and British intelligence, various aspects of the Second World War, and Twentieth Century intelligence and espionage with a focus on Britain. He now resides in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
He is a regular book reviewer, appearing in The Times (London), BBC History Magazine, The Spectator, The Times Literary Supplement, The New York Times, the Times Herald Tribune (Paris), and Saturday Night and the Globe and Mail (Toronto).
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 15, 2019
As a history-jock, I read a lot of books, and the history books I like the best are those that delve into a certain phase of a subject's life. It can be a 10 year period - The Roaring 20's, say, or a one year period examined in David A T Stafford's superb history, "Oblivion and Glory: 1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill".
The year 1921 was quite an important year in Churchill's life. Stafford takes the year in terms of seasons and looks at the various events and people were important to Churchill. He lost several people close to him that year - his mother and a two year old daughter - and traveled to the Middle East to work on the peace settlement there. He fought with David Lloyd George and other politicians and couldn't seem to find a real place for himself. That would come, of course, in 1940, after years in the "political wilderness". But painting and traveling , occupied his time, as well. He became a noted landscape painter during this time.
I'm planning to use this book as a text in a Life Long Learning class I'm giving this coming summer.
Stafford's book is a well-written book about an important year in the life of Winston Churchill. If the subject interests you, also check out "No More Champagne: Winston Churchill and his Money", by David Lough, published in 2015.
The year 1921 was quite an important year in Churchill's life. Stafford takes the year in terms of seasons and looks at the various events and people were important to Churchill. He lost several people close to him that year - his mother and a two year old daughter - and traveled to the Middle East to work on the peace settlement there. He fought with David Lloyd George and other politicians and couldn't seem to find a real place for himself. That would come, of course, in 1940, after years in the "political wilderness". But painting and traveling , occupied his time, as well. He became a noted landscape painter during this time.
I'm planning to use this book as a text in a Life Long Learning class I'm giving this coming summer.
Stafford's book is a well-written book about an important year in the life of Winston Churchill. If the subject interests you, also check out "No More Champagne: Winston Churchill and his Money", by David Lough, published in 2015.
April 14, 2021
I love Churchill. I am utterly convinced he was robbed when Time Magazine passed him over for Albert Einstein as Man of the Century in 2000. As a subject, he fascinates me. As a leader, he moves me. Stafford's work adds to both of these, and does so, if not quite handsomely, adequately. Adequately, because Stafford strains to make this particular year seem to be hinge pivot of his life. In so doing, he forces importance into it that it does not necessarily hold. He also fills out the pages with superfluous attention to other figures that do not really matter. But having said that, what he sets out to do - tell us the story of this year in Churchill's life - he does well. The Irish interaction was enlightening, and sadly so, especially. His recovery from the ashes of Gallipolli was likewise well explained. All in all, a helpful book, especially for someone who likes Churchill. But not a remarkable book by any means.
August 17, 2022
Well I think this book set a record for the number of names included in a history book. It was a whirlwind and all but impossible to keep straight as most of those people came and went in the book never to return. I enjoyed the tour of the world essentially as the year in focus had Churchill as Colonial Secretary. I am not sure the book lived up to its title, but the author clearly loves his subject and if you like Churchill it is worth the short time it takes to read.
August 24, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oblivion or Glory is a detailed examination of Churchill’s life in the year 1921 – politically and personally. It explores his travels internationally, his work done in London and elsewhere, his painting, and the changes that happened in his personal life. Busy and full of successes, failures, triumphs, and personal losses, 1921 was a year in which Churchill’s actions and negotiations did much to pave his eventual pathway to election as Prime Minister.
I felt this was a fascinating book. Knowing little about Churchill personally, the details that Stafford provides are illuminating and intriguing. While there are scores of people that Churchill interacts with, they are carefully introduced so even the most unfamiliar-with-British-history reader can orient themselves. The political events are well-depicted and understandable, and Stafford’s smooth way of shifting from one topic to another is seamless and effortless to follow, making the book very readable, and the deeply human portrayal of Churchill makes it an engaging and enjoyable read.
I did find the book’s chronological liquidity difficult at some points. Oblivion or Glory seems to be carefully structured by season, but as you read the events depicted, it becomes clear that Stafford refers to events more in thematic context than chronological. This aids understanding of how everything came together, and in how some political aspects were dealt with, but at the same time it means that there is some unforeseen mental re-arrangement to put everything that’s happening together chronologically. Also, ultimately, I spent much of the book searching for some authorial insight about how, specifically, the events of 1921 were so pivotal for Churchill, as is argued in the book’s subtitle (1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill). Alas, my search for this specific information was not to be fruitful – Stafford does finish the book with a paragraph about how the events of 1921 shaped Churchill, but beyond that small summation, the reader seems left to their own perceptions – augmented by not only the in-depth exploration of 1921, but chapters devoted to the events leading to 1921 and the events rippling away from that date – to put together how the various threads of Churchill’s life that year were impactful not only to Churchill himself as a person, but to those in the government, the electorate, and internationally, all of whose interactions twined in the future, of course, to take him to the office of Prime Minister, and a well-deserved place in the history books.
Oblivion or Glory is a detailed examination of Churchill’s life in the year 1921 – politically and personally. It explores his travels internationally, his work done in London and elsewhere, his painting, and the changes that happened in his personal life. Busy and full of successes, failures, triumphs, and personal losses, 1921 was a year in which Churchill’s actions and negotiations did much to pave his eventual pathway to election as Prime Minister.
I felt this was a fascinating book. Knowing little about Churchill personally, the details that Stafford provides are illuminating and intriguing. While there are scores of people that Churchill interacts with, they are carefully introduced so even the most unfamiliar-with-British-history reader can orient themselves. The political events are well-depicted and understandable, and Stafford’s smooth way of shifting from one topic to another is seamless and effortless to follow, making the book very readable, and the deeply human portrayal of Churchill makes it an engaging and enjoyable read.
I did find the book’s chronological liquidity difficult at some points. Oblivion or Glory seems to be carefully structured by season, but as you read the events depicted, it becomes clear that Stafford refers to events more in thematic context than chronological. This aids understanding of how everything came together, and in how some political aspects were dealt with, but at the same time it means that there is some unforeseen mental re-arrangement to put everything that’s happening together chronologically. Also, ultimately, I spent much of the book searching for some authorial insight about how, specifically, the events of 1921 were so pivotal for Churchill, as is argued in the book’s subtitle (1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill). Alas, my search for this specific information was not to be fruitful – Stafford does finish the book with a paragraph about how the events of 1921 shaped Churchill, but beyond that small summation, the reader seems left to their own perceptions – augmented by not only the in-depth exploration of 1921, but chapters devoted to the events leading to 1921 and the events rippling away from that date – to put together how the various threads of Churchill’s life that year were impactful not only to Churchill himself as a person, but to those in the government, the electorate, and internationally, all of whose interactions twined in the future, of course, to take him to the office of Prime Minister, and a well-deserved place in the history books.
March 21, 2020
Great read and fascinating to see how formative one year can be - as a cabinet minister following a near career-ending failure with the Dardanelles campaign after World War 1, Churchill was heavily involved with Anglo-American relations (which would be very helpful down the road in 20 years.....), the waning period of the British empire amongst violence and unrest in Asia and the Middle East, and political negotiations that created the Irish Free State. Additionally, Churchill lost both his mother and one of his children while also having to wrangle in his hot mess cousin who loved traipsing off to Bolshevist Russia whenever she fancied 😂. Recommended read and good reminder that we are judged not by our failures, but how we respond and move forward.
February 27, 2022
A compelling look at a pivotal (non-war) year of Churchill's life.
Churchill's life was extraordinary by any measure but primarily due to his time as England's Prime Minister during WWII. Stafford's 2019 "Oblivion or Glory" has a unique premise of looking at a single year in Winston Churchill's life: 1921. As the past is prologue, Stafford makes the case that the Churchill of 1939-45 could not have existed without the Churchill of 1921. In this fairly short mini-biopgraphy, Churchill comes into a major inheritance, helps negotiate the treaty that lead to the Irish Free State, found himself ensconced in Arab/Jewish political wrangling as the Balfour Declaration worked its way through to being accepted by the League of Nations, and played a role in the selection of Faisal (of T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) fame) being chosen as the first King of Iraq.
The man had a busy schedule, to say the least. Despite this, Stafford does a wonderful job of helping the reader examine the moments in between these bigger we look at Churchill's private life, including his search for a home and his embrace of painting as a pastime. The narrative never falters, and even the most pedestrian moments in Churchill's 1921 remain interesting in Stafford's hands.
A brief and engaging whirlwind look at a single year of a whirlwind life.
Churchill's life was extraordinary by any measure but primarily due to his time as England's Prime Minister during WWII. Stafford's 2019 "Oblivion or Glory" has a unique premise of looking at a single year in Winston Churchill's life: 1921. As the past is prologue, Stafford makes the case that the Churchill of 1939-45 could not have existed without the Churchill of 1921. In this fairly short mini-biopgraphy, Churchill comes into a major inheritance, helps negotiate the treaty that lead to the Irish Free State, found himself ensconced in Arab/Jewish political wrangling as the Balfour Declaration worked its way through to being accepted by the League of Nations, and played a role in the selection of Faisal (of T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) fame) being chosen as the first King of Iraq.
The man had a busy schedule, to say the least. Despite this, Stafford does a wonderful job of helping the reader examine the moments in between these bigger we look at Churchill's private life, including his search for a home and his embrace of painting as a pastime. The narrative never falters, and even the most pedestrian moments in Churchill's 1921 remain interesting in Stafford's hands.
A brief and engaging whirlwind look at a single year of a whirlwind life.
May 26, 2020
This is a chronicle of the life and times of Winston Churchill during 1921. It was a make or break year for his political career after it seemed to end when he was demoted in the Cabinet after the 1915 Dardanelles invasion fiasco. In 1921 he was appointed as Colonial Secretary which brought him into dealing with the Middle East -- Iraq, the Palestine issue in relation to the Balfour Declaration. He did not limit himself to his cabinet portfolio much to the chagrin of the Foreign Secretary Lord Curzon when he "meddled" in Foreign Office affairs. He took on a role in the Irish problems too. Churchill never shied away from his opposition to the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. He had strong views on the British Empire and its role in the world.
In addition to his political life, readers learn about his personal life and his strong family ties. In 1921 he suffered the loss of his mother and his daughter Marigold. Both deaths deeply troubled him and he was supported throughout his grief by his wife Clementine and brother Jack. He liked to spend money and in 1921 he came into an inheritance which relieved many of his financial worries. Painting was his greatest avocation and there was a successful exhibition of his pictures in Paris. All in all, Churchill is shown as an energetic and multi-talented individual, albeit sometimes lacking in judgement.
This book an excellent introductory biography of Churchill. So many books have been written about him that it's difficult to know where to go first if you want to read up on him. This book is a good beginning because it's readable, informative, and a balanced account without being fawning or over-critical.
Recommended.
___________________
The publisher provided a complementary advance reading copy of this book through Netgalley. The comments about it are my own.
In addition to his political life, readers learn about his personal life and his strong family ties. In 1921 he suffered the loss of his mother and his daughter Marigold. Both deaths deeply troubled him and he was supported throughout his grief by his wife Clementine and brother Jack. He liked to spend money and in 1921 he came into an inheritance which relieved many of his financial worries. Painting was his greatest avocation and there was a successful exhibition of his pictures in Paris. All in all, Churchill is shown as an energetic and multi-talented individual, albeit sometimes lacking in judgement.
This book an excellent introductory biography of Churchill. So many books have been written about him that it's difficult to know where to go first if you want to read up on him. This book is a good beginning because it's readable, informative, and a balanced account without being fawning or over-critical.
Recommended.
___________________
The publisher provided a complementary advance reading copy of this book through Netgalley. The comments about it are my own.
April 21, 2020
This book chronicle one year in the life of Winston Churchill in 1921 as he resurrects his career at the age of 46 from the political dust heap for his support for the disastrous Dardanelles Campaign (Gallipoli) in World War I. Churchill had many supporters and many more detractors who saw him as egotistical, self-centered, unpredictable and unreliable. While this blame is unfairly cast entirely at his feet, it reveals Churchill's aggressiveness for charging full steam ahead without fully measuring the consequences for a failed mission. All agreed he was brilliant and a master orator who could hold sway over audiences for hours at a time. Many of his critics, however, held him wholly responsible for the Gallipoli Disaster and as a result considered him totally unsuitable for public office. Still, a surprisingly large number of his harshest critics thought he would be one day become Prime Minister. The year 1921 brought many tragedies in his life, including the death of his mother and his 3 year old daughter Marigold. Churchill remained resolute and continued unabashedly speaking his mind while serving under Prime Minister David Lloyd-George. This is a very good, not great, book on one year in the life of one of the greatest men in British history and in the 20th Century.
August 23, 2020
Modestly enjoyable snapshot of pre-WW2 Churchill. It was interesting to learn about Ireland and Iraq through this book, since my Churchill reading to date had mainly focused on his relations with other countries (US, India, Germany, France, etc.).
The author says "most biographers have missed this" in relation to some of the major inclusions here, such as a long and fascinating description of his cousin Clare. I wish the author had included more content and commentary like this.
It is a very easy 4-stars for me because I learned quite a bit about Middle Eastern and Irish politics. But as a snapshot into a part of Churchill's pre-WW2 life, the high-water mark for me remains Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill.
The author says "most biographers have missed this" in relation to some of the major inclusions here, such as a long and fascinating description of his cousin Clare. I wish the author had included more content and commentary like this.
It is a very easy 4-stars for me because I learned quite a bit about Middle Eastern and Irish politics. But as a snapshot into a part of Churchill's pre-WW2 life, the high-water mark for me remains Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill.
January 17, 2020
3 and 1/2 stars.
Quite an interesting history of one year in the great man's life: 1921. Stafford plausibly demonstrates that this was the year that Churchill really emerged from the catastrophe of the Gallipoli campaign, set on the course that would eventually lead to leadership during the years of the Second World War. Not only does Churchill achieve some political success dealing with the Mideast and Ireland, but he also receives a very sizable inheritance from a cousin. He is no longer dependent on the income from his political positions; for a man of Churchill's spending habits and political ambitions this was critical. Sadly, he would also receive another inheritance during the year, which would mark a family tragedy, and not the only one in the period.
I found that the first two thirds of the book rolled on very well, but as the details and the innumerable names of political associates, friends, and relatives piled up, the book became more tedious. Spread out over the years of Churchill's life this might not be so overwhelming, but packed into the tale of one year, it made for heavy going--a not unnatural result of choosing the one-year format.
An annoying habit of the author: there have to be at least half a dozen places where he reports events as unmentioned by other biographers in a rather chest-thumping fashion. Not very collegial. And someone should disabuse him of the notion that "My Country T'is of Thee" is the American national anthem, as he reports of a ceremony described near the book's end.
On the whole, I enjoyed the book, especially because Churchill's involvement with the Mideast so squarely puts us at the foundation of many situations in the present day. I also hadn't realized the depth and complexity of Churchill's relationship with Lawrence of Arabia.
Worth reading.
Quite an interesting history of one year in the great man's life: 1921. Stafford plausibly demonstrates that this was the year that Churchill really emerged from the catastrophe of the Gallipoli campaign, set on the course that would eventually lead to leadership during the years of the Second World War. Not only does Churchill achieve some political success dealing with the Mideast and Ireland, but he also receives a very sizable inheritance from a cousin. He is no longer dependent on the income from his political positions; for a man of Churchill's spending habits and political ambitions this was critical. Sadly, he would also receive another inheritance during the year, which would mark a family tragedy, and not the only one in the period.
I found that the first two thirds of the book rolled on very well, but as the details and the innumerable names of political associates, friends, and relatives piled up, the book became more tedious. Spread out over the years of Churchill's life this might not be so overwhelming, but packed into the tale of one year, it made for heavy going--a not unnatural result of choosing the one-year format.
An annoying habit of the author: there have to be at least half a dozen places where he reports events as unmentioned by other biographers in a rather chest-thumping fashion. Not very collegial. And someone should disabuse him of the notion that "My Country T'is of Thee" is the American national anthem, as he reports of a ceremony described near the book's end.
On the whole, I enjoyed the book, especially because Churchill's involvement with the Mideast so squarely puts us at the foundation of many situations in the present day. I also hadn't realized the depth and complexity of Churchill's relationship with Lawrence of Arabia.
Worth reading.
March 3, 2020
This is a great way to do history. Stafford gets into a ton of detail - where Churchill went on which weekend, who was there and what they were dealing with in their lives (often marriages dissolving). If a book did that for Churchill's whole life -- it would be brutally overwhelming. But to do it for a year provides such a great view into how Churchill's life actually was. And this was a particularly interesting year, so there's no shortage of "real" history here as well. Churchill was obviously flawed, but nonetheless is amazing as a force of personality: he was (in Stafford's telling, at least) quite compassionate even as he was ambitious and had blinders with regard to imperialism. But he could see beyond what the pack was seeing and was often (but clearly not always) right. Some highlights: p. 53 - wrote a book on painting that was quite popular, p. 84: contrary to myth he was no reactionary; had left conservatives to be liberal and had been v. pro social reform including unemployment insurance (+ taxation of war wealth) , p. 102: on train to Cairo, crowd throwin rocks met them (3 demonstrators killed earlier at docks) "Thompson drew his revolver and braced for att an attack. Churchill stopped reading, looked up briefly and smiled. Clementine put down her novel." p. 214: Churchill essay "The Scaffolding of Rhetoric" (written when he was v. young): careful choice of words, rhyjthm, with a succession of waves of sound/images enabling the audience to anticipate the conclusion so that the final words fall `amid a thunder of consent'. Book opens with quote from Dante's inferno: "Midway along life's journey I found myself in a dark wood and the path was lost..."
October 15, 2019
In his brand new book, David Stafford’s says that 1921 was an important year in the making of Winston Churchill, both politically and personally. Churchill was 46 and spent much of the year as Colonial Secretary under David Lloyd George’s government. This was just after Churchill’s disastrous experience in Gallipoli and proved to be a year where Churchill perhaps found his stride. He had great political success in the Middle East and Ireland, developed his love of painting and immersed himself in British society. Stafford does a great job in describing how Churchill’s temperament and rush to decisions helped and hurt him as well as describing his relationship with his wife, Clementine and how they faced tragic family events of that year. A very very good book about a sliver of Churchill’s life.
February 13, 2025
this book only covers 1921. A year in which Winston Churchill was minister for the colonies under the leadership of David Lloyd George of the Liberal party. It outlines his trips to what was then Palestine and being instrumental in the setting up of the future nation of Israel. It's also covered the tragic loss of his mother from the ruptured femoral artery following amputation of the leg from fall that became gangrenous. Two weeks after this he lost his fourth child Marigold to what sounded like septicaemia from tonsillitis.
Also this book covers the time of discussion with the Dublin government over the Irish free State. At the end of the year he also was close to losing his seat as member of the House of Commons for Dundee. Very well researched
Also this book covers the time of discussion with the Dublin government over the Irish free State. At the end of the year he also was close to losing his seat as member of the House of Commons for Dundee. Very well researched
August 10, 2023
An interesting examination of a year in Winston Churchill's life that serves as a microcosm for his political career and for his character in general. Found it slightly difficult as someone uninitiated to Churchill's pre-WW2 life to keep up with all of the names that are thrown at the reader, all of which aside from major historical actors like Lloyd George or Michael Collins are usually bit players in the greater story of Churchill's tumultuous career. Overall an enjoyable examination of a key chapter in Churchill's story.
January 17, 2020
David Stafford's Oblivion or Glory is a fast-paced story of Churchill on the cusp of middle age in 1921. He has begun to recover from the Dardenelles campaign fiasco and is a member of David Lloyd Georges cabinet in charge of colonial affairs. This is a year of significant gains and losses for Churchill, both personal and political, and I found author Stafford's work to place us in a position where we can empathize, argue and understand.
February 10, 2020
A very enjoyable read through a year that saw Churchill endure great griefs in the midst of personal triumphs. These twists and turns in his life forged the character and wisdom that would be needed less than 2 decades later. The example of Churchill gives guidance to all who are suffering in the difficulties of life by showing the good that can come as a result of those events we wouldn’t choose for ourselves.
November 24, 2022
100 years ago. Still relevant today. David Stafford does a brilliant job of bringing this post war period to life. He brings Winston s personal life into focus along with his government responsibilities. Clementine, his wife, is a stalwart of strength proving that every man needs a good woman of he wants to succeed in life I loved this book.
December 8, 2020
An interesting look at a critical year in the life of Winston Churchill. Triumphs and tragicies in both his political and personal lives in 1921 had much to do in his life long evolution and eventual rise to the premiership.
June 11, 2021
I did not realize when I downloaded this book, that it only dealt with 1921. Not knowing the background of Churchill, I do not think I could benefit fully from the content of this book. However, I did learn much of his story and I enjoyed the book overall.
December 29, 2020
En un año como lo ha sido 2020, puede ser muy inspirador, como casi un centenario atrás durante circunstancias bastante difíciles, alguien como Churchill hizo tanto durante el transcurso de un año. Tiempos difíciles hacen hombres fuertes.
July 22, 2022
Perhaps what I gleaned most from this book is that Winston Churchill had quite a notable positions in the British government and was not always the most popular or polite political player. That said, I found myself on a bit of a whirlwind tour trying to keep up with his political moves and how we arrived at them (a downside of an audio book delivery versus a physical copy I can flip through).
I gave this book a 3 star rating primarily because its pace ebbed and flowed so much. A lack of prerequisite knowledge on Britain’s politics at the turn of the 20th century may have played a role in that, but, despite that, I struggled to get through some chapters. That said, it was informative, and it did show the resiliency of a man that, through his numerous successes and failures, was being molded to become the prime minister Britain need to hold it together through the darkest days of WWII.
Finally, I find the character of Churchill to be quite hardy, and it was interesting to see him on this side of the narrative (versus the American side as I’ve experienced through numerous FDR related books).
I gave this book a 3 star rating primarily because its pace ebbed and flowed so much. A lack of prerequisite knowledge on Britain’s politics at the turn of the 20th century may have played a role in that, but, despite that, I struggled to get through some chapters. That said, it was informative, and it did show the resiliency of a man that, through his numerous successes and failures, was being molded to become the prime minister Britain need to hold it together through the darkest days of WWII.
Finally, I find the character of Churchill to be quite hardy, and it was interesting to see him on this side of the narrative (versus the American side as I’ve experienced through numerous FDR related books).
August 3, 2022
Maturing politician
Well written revealing a good insight to a maturing Churchill and the skills he was perfecting that would serve him well as a future world leader
Well written revealing a good insight to a maturing Churchill and the skills he was perfecting that would serve him well as a future world leader
January 28, 2022
Great insight on a pivotal year that changed his political trajectory. He was a man with a definite major purpose which no personal or professional obstacle could get in the way of.
April 20, 2022
Oblivion or Glory, 1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill, by David Stafford (2019, audiobook 10 hrs 41 min). Possibly it’s simply just me, but I’m guessing many of us know Winston Churchill only by his WWII exploits, or possibly his much-publicized involvement as a war correspondent in the Boer War, or even a bit broader when remembering his role in the Dardanelles disaster of WWI. This book looks at Mr Churchill during a time when he began to recover from his WWI legacy and reestablish himself as a bonafide up and comer in British government. The time is 1921 when he experienced family tragedy, engaged in successful negotiations that created the Irish Free State, was an at times disruptive but not yet domineering element of the government. It’s a nice account if you’re interested in the story of a politician (and force of nature) whose journey to resounding success was anything but assured.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews