Фактор Черчилля. Як одна людина змінила історію

by Boris Johnson

From London’s inimitable mayor, Boris Johnson, the story of how Churchill’s eccentric genius shaped not only his world but our own.
 
On the fiftieth anniversary of Churchill’s death, Boris Johnson celebrates the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays—with characteristic wit and passion—a man of contagious bravery, breathtaking eloquence, matchless strategizing, and deep humanity.
 
Fearless on the battlefield, Churchill had to be ordered by the king to stay out of action on D-Day; he pioneered aerial bombing and few could match his experience in organizing violence on a colossal scale,  yet he hated war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was the most famous journalist of his time and perhaps the greatest orator of all time, despite a lisp and chronic depression he kept at bay by painting. His maneuvering positioned America for entry into World War II, even as it ushered in England’s post-war decline. His openmindedness made him a trailblazer in health care, education, and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect. Most of all, he was a rebuttal to the idea that history is the story of vast and impersonal forces; he is proof that one person—intrepid, ingenious, determined—can make all the difference.
 

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Audiobook, World War II, Historical

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Boris Johnson is a British politician in the Conservative Party and the former Prime Minister of United Kingdom as well as the former Mayor of London. Due to his public school, blustering, comedic style, he is generally either loved or loathed by members of the British public.

Reviews

[Andrew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a point near the end of the book when talking to a grandson of the great man that the author summarises Churchill’s achievements.

More published words than Shakespeare and Dickens combined, wins the Nobel Prize for Literature, kills umpteen people in armed combat on four continents, serves in every great office of state including Prime Minister (twice), is indispensable to victory in two world wars and then posthumously sells his paintings for a million dollars.

Not bad!

There’s quite a bit of hero worship in this book – Boris is clearly awe struck by the man – but it’s very hard not to come away thinking how much Churchill packed into his lifetime. Was he the greatest Britain of all time? Well, maybe, certainly a poll taken in 2002 concluded he was. But anyway you look at it he was definitely the right man for the right time. I hadn’t realised just how much Churchill was swimming against the tide in opposing Hitler. It seems that there were an awful lot of appeasers about at the time and its absolutely conceivable that, had it not been for the Homburg wearing statesman, we could well have entered into some sort of agreement with Hitler. Who knows what the world would look like now, had that been the case!

This is a very personal portrait, painted by Boris. He has a quirky style that worked for me. For instance, in one section he talks about Churchill’s cock-ups and introduces a scoring system to explain how much of a disaster each of the actions truly were (or weren’t) and to what degree Winston was actually responsible. As I found in the rest of the book, he tends to err on the side of his hero, but it was a great way of providing a fresh perspective on these events. For information, the list includes:

- The disastrous Gallipoli campaign
- His opposition to increased home rule in India
- Returning Sterling to the Gold Standard
- His resistance to the abdication of Edward VIII

There were lots of personal facts about Churchill, of which I was hitherto unaware. For instance, by all accounts, he had an enormous vocabulary, he showed tremendous personal bravery as both a war correspondent and a soldier and was the standing Prime Minister at the age of 80. The list goes on.

There’s also an interesting comparison between author and subject in that Churchill achieved all he did without a ‘classic’ education; he never attended university. Contrast this with Boris, who lists Eton and Oxford University amongst the outstanding centres of education he’s attended. But the similarities between the two are, perhaps, more striking. Like his hero, Boris served time as a journalist before entering politics, where he is also seen as something of a one-off, a maverick. Both were born into money, and it’s perfectly conceivable that Boris could emulate ‘the man’ by becoming leader of the Conservative Party (and thereby quite probably Prime Minister) in the not too distant future.

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating – if rather one-sided – account of the life and achievements of one of the great figures of recent history. If you feel you want to know more about Churchill and want to be entertained at the same time, look no further.

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

You meet Boris Johnson in the pub for a drink. You mention Churchill and 4 hours later you leave the pub, wondering where the time went. That´s what it feels like to read this book. I learned a lot of facts about Churchill that I didn't know before. I certainly learned more about the impact that Churchill had, not only on British politics and life but also on the rest of the world.

This book is beautifully written and well paced. I absolutely loved it.

NB: 25-06-2016. After seeing Boris Johnson in the run-up to the Brexit referendum, I wouldn't want to have a pint with him anymore. What a pompous arse. The book is still good but I can't stand the writer anymore.

[Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in 2014 not knowing anything about Boris Johnson. It's a pretty good book. While I don't agree with BoJo's politics, at least the U.K. will have a leader who has *truly* written a book and who reads. I've resisted the temptation to change my review or my rating.

Portrait Venerating Lionhearted Leader Who Lifted Course of History, Facing Down der Führer Providing a Perfect Contrast to the Leaders of the Free World these days





This book's strongest point is its accessibility on the lengthy and complex history of this legendary world leader. In a clear, conversational tone that overlays an erudite tenor, Johnson measures the near-majesty of a man who played the leading role in stanching the tide of evil threatening 20th Century Europe and from plunging the world into chaos.

I was skeptical that this might be another droning history book. Johnson quickly drew me in though, to what seemed an enthusiastic scholarly chat in a pub, full of good humour. I found it refreshing to read a book on history not written by an academic historian, the like of which has written books that have been used to cure difficult cases of insomnia.

Like Winston Churchill, the author Boris Johnson (nicknamed by some, "BoJo") is a former newspaper man and a politician. I think all comparisons hit a brick wall after that.

[Steven Fisher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weaker then Lemon tea.

[Steven Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a personal, breezy hagiography of Winston Churchill then Boris Johnson’s THE CHURCHILL FACTOR: HOW ONE MAN MADE HISTORY will be of interest. Johnson’s effort is not a traditional biography of the former occupant of 10 Downing Street, but a manifesto imploring the reader to consider the genius and greatness of Churchill. Johnson is concerned that as time has passed fewer and fewer of the non-World War II generation have forgotten or are not aware of Churchill’s accomplishments as he states at the outset “we are losing those who can remember the sound of his voice, and I worry that we are in danger….of forgetting the scale of what he did.” For the author, World War II would have been lost, if not for Churchill, and he further argues that the resident of Chartwell House and Blenheim Palace saved civilization and proved that one man can change history.

Johnson’s writing is very entertaining. His phrasing is both humorous and poignant, i.e., “the French were possessed of an origami army! They just keep folding with almost magical speed.” In his description of Churchill, he looked “like some burley and hung over butler from the set of Downton Abbey. However, aside from the humor presented, Johnson has a serious purpose as he seems to want to align himself with Churchill as a means of furthering his own political career. The question is what do we make of Johnson’s THE CHURCHILL FACTOR? Many who are familiar with Johnson’s career can foresee this Member of Parliament, mayor of London, former editor of The Spectator, and columnist for the Daily Telegraph pursuing the leadership of the Conservative Party, and at some point attaining the position of Prime Minister. By manipulating Churchill’s legacy as a comparison to certain aspects of his own life, Johnson may have hit upon a vehicle for his own political ascendency. Johnson suggests certain similarities with his hero, but then upon reflection he negates them, but for those who are familiar with the British political system, Johnson’s ambitions are clear.

Johnson’s thesis rests on rehabilitating the less savory aspects of Churchill’s personality and politics, at the same time presenting him as the genius who saved the world from Nazism. Johnson strongly suggests when reviewing the political choices that existed in England as the Dunkirk rescue was ongoing in May, 1940 there was no alternative to Churchill. Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax were both appeasers and wanted to make a separate peace with Germany. Johnson reviews Churchill’s career as a journalist, soldier, and social reformer to reflect on his preparation for taking on Hitler, and does not find him wanting in any area. The author tackles the opposition to Churchill within the Conservative party and why he was a lightning rod for his opponents. Johnson explains why he was so despised by many head on. He argues that Churchill, like his father Randolph, suffered from a lack of party loyalty and we see that both followed their own path when it came to shifting parties and then returning to the conservative fold. In addition, Churchill helped bring on ill will by always being a self-promoter and political opportunist. Churchill made a number of errors during World War I and later, in his career. The following come to mind: the fiasco at Antwerp in October, 1914, and Gallipoli in September, 1915 that forced many to question his ability as a military strategist when he was First Lord of their Admiralty. Further, Churchill’s ill-fated plan to block the Bolshevik victory in Russia after World War I, as well as fighting to prevent Indian self-government where not well thought out. Lastly, Churchill’s support for Edward VIII’s desire for a divorce and forfeiture of his throne angered many conservative back benchers.

Johnson presents Churchill’s bonifedes as a military leader by spending a good amount of time reflecting on Churchill’s bravery. He discusses Churchill’s love of planes and desire to develop an air force. He reviews his combat experience in the Sudan, the Boer War, India and the trenches of World War I. He concludes that Churchill’s own personal bravery allowed him to ask whether other candidates in 1940 had the experience and demeanor to lead England against the Nazis. Johnson also tackles some of the negative charges against Churchill. For Johnson, Churchill is a social reformer in the context of being a capitalist and a free trader. He argues that next to his mentor, Lloyd George, Churchill had great concern for workers and the lower classes. For Churchill, workers were the bedrock of the British Empire and without them the empire would collapse. Johnson points to Churchill’s championing of Labour exchanges, a Trade Board Bill to enforce minimum wages for certain jobs, unemployment insurance with worker, government and employer contributions, a 20% tax on land sales in order to fund progressive programs and redistribute wealth. Churchill was concerned that if the needs of the workers were not met, unrest could “scuttle” British power overseas. One might argue that Churchill was somewhat of a hypocrite based on some of his racist and imperialist goals, Johnson would say that he was nothing more than being politically pragmatic. Perhaps Churchill’s “compassionate conservatism” was years ahead of George W. Bush.

The author rests much of his argument on Churchill’s amazing work ethic and the motor of his exceptional brain. Johnson offers a great deal of evidence to support his claim, i.e., Churchill’s prodigious writing that earned him a Nobel Peace Prize for Literature at the age of seventy-five. Churchill’s work developing tank technology during World War I, his role in creating the boundaries for the Middle East, the partition of Ireland, and diplomacy during World War II to save England from the Nazis and rallying his own people. Lastly, the use of his personal charm to “drag” the United States into World War II. Once out of power Churchill sought to warn the west about Stalinist expansionism. His “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946 made public his concerns, but Churchill had internally warned his cabinet and FDR at least a year earlier. As in the 1930s when he warned about Nazism, as World War II came to a close he was seen as a war mongerer by many. Despite the fact that he was correct in both cases, this did not help him politically at home or in his relationship with President Truman, as he was soon out of office. Once he returned to power in 1951, and with the death of Stalin in 1953, Churchill worked for a summit of the great powers as he was deathly afraid of a thermonuclear war. Though he did not achieve his goal, after he left office for good in 1955, a four power summit did take place. For Johnson, in the end, Churchill’s ideas prevailed, from his speech in Fulton, MO in 1946 to the final collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Churchill had called for rapprochement between France and Germany, and a united Europe all of which was eventually achieved.

One of the major blemishes that exists in dealing with Churchill’s career lies in the sands of the Middle East. As Colonial Secretary he had to undue the negative results of the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence, the Sykes-Picot Agreement, and the Balfour Declaration all issued during World War I making very contradictory promises that Johnson describes as “Britain sold the same camel three times.” The story of the Cairo Conference and Churchill’s influence on the creation of Iraq, Transjordan, Syria, and Palestine has been told many times, but even Johnson must acknowledge that what Churchill had created, though it lasted for decades was bound to come a cropper. Further Churchill’s optimism concerning Jewish-Palestinian relations was ill-conceived. Johnson, as his want, does not blame Churchill, but the selfishness of both sides, particularly the lack of Arab leadership, a rationalization to deflect away from Churchill anything the author finds unacceptable. Despite his errors the author proposes that Churchill, even in old age, was a man ahead of his times, and based on his amazing career who is to say that Johnson was wrong.

Perhaps the major criticism one can offer is how the author presents his material. I for one enjoy objective biography, not subjective hero worship, particularly when there are so many instances of a lack of source material to support the author’s conclusions. However, if one is interested in a fast read encompassing Churchill’s entire career, Johnson’s effort could prove to be intellectually challenging, and entertaining.

[Max Berendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favourite work of "Pop History" so far. Reading this book felt like being Boris Johnson's guest in his study on Downing Street 10, telling me the story of Churchill's life over a glass of brandy. And of course Boris wouldn't be Boris if he didn't crack jokes in between and showed off his Etonian command of the English language while doing so.

One of the few books that's able to tell you the amazing life story of one of history's greatest men, while at the same time not letting you keep a straight face for 355 pages straight.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood, toil, tears and sweat...

Winston Churchill needs no introduction and, in the UK, nor does Boris Johnson, but perhaps he does elsewhere. Boris is one of those few people who are known to all by their first names – if you mention Boris over here, everyone will assume that it's this Boris you mean unless you specify otherwise. A leading light in the Conservative Party, he has been the Mayor of London for the last six years and is strongly tipped in many quarters to be a future leader of the Party and possibly a future Prime Minister. This is pretty spectacular for a man who is best known for being exceptionally funny on panel games, having a silly hairstyle and being an upper-class buffoon who would fit in well in the Drones Club. But that public persona doesn't quite hide the other facts about Boris, that he is a highly intelligent, extremely knowledgeable and articulate man, whose political ambitions reach to the very top. Prior to going into active politics he was a political journalist and editor so he knows how to write entertainingly and engagingly. You may already have guessed that I have a huge soft spot for Boris – it's just unfortunate he's as right-wing as Mrs Thatcher. But it's that ability to camouflage his views under his larger-than life personality that enables him to attract voters who wouldn't normally vote for his party.

As for his amazing achievement in winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, it is conventional to treat this as a joke, an embarrassing attempt by the Swedes to make up for their neutrality in the war. Even relatively sympathetic historians such as Peter Clarke have dismissed the possibility that there was any merit involved. “Rarely can an author’s writings have received less attention than the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953,” he says. This is not just a little bit snooty, but surely untrue. Look at the list of Nobel winners in the last century – avant-garde Japanese playwrights, Marxist-Feminist Latin Americans, Polish exponents of the Concrete Poem. All of them are no doubt meritorious in their way but many of them are much less read than Churchill.

In this book, Boris sets out to try to discover what made Churchill into the man who is considered to have been crucial in the British war effort. He does this with his usual panache, making the book hugely enjoyable and filled with humour, which doesn't disguise the massive amount of research and knowledge that has clearly gone into it. He makes it crystal clear that he admires Churchill intensely and, because he's so open about it, his bias in the great man's favour comes over as wholly endearing. In fact, this reader couldn't help feeling that Boris sees Churchill as something of a role model, and that his desire to understand how Churchill achieved all that he did is partly so that Boris can emulate him – hopefully not by becoming a great leader in another World War though! (Though I suspect Boris might be a little sorry he missed the last one...)

In each chapter, Boris looks at one aspect of Churchill's life – his childhood, his writing, his early army career in the Boer War, etc. – and analyses it to see what we can draw from it in terms of what made Churchill tick. Over the years, Churchill has had as many detractors as admirers, and Boris takes their criticisms of him head on, dismissing them with his usual mix of bluster and brilliance. That's not to say he brushes over the big mistakes in Churchill's career, but he puts them into context and finds that he consistently acted in accordance with his own convictions. (If only we could say that about many of today's politicians.) This didn't always make him popular but, had popularity been his main aim, he probably wouldn't have stood out so strongly against coming to some accommodation with Nazi Germany at the point where Britain stood isolated and close to defeat. Boris makes it clear that he believes that it was Churchill, and Churchill alone, who carried the argument in the Government for Britain to fight on, and who was crucial in persuading the US to finally become involved.

…if he was exhausting to work for, his colleagues nonetheless gave him loyalty and unstinting devotion. When he came back from New York in 1932 after nearly dying under the wheels of an on-coming car, he was presented with a Daimler. The Daimler had been organised by Brendan Bracken and financed by a whip-round of 140 friends and admirers. Can you think of any modern British politician with enough friends and admirers to get them a new Nissan Micra, let alone a Daimler?

Although there is a considerable amount in the book about WW2, as you would expect, there is just as much about Churchill's achievements and failures both before and after. In a political career that stretched for over 60 years, he was involved to one degree or another in all of the major events in the UK, and indeed the world, from the 1900s to the 1960s – the Boer War, WW1, the establishment of Israel, the abdication of Edward VIII, the decline of the British Empire, the rise of the Soviet Union, the formation of the Common Market (now European Union). Boris shows how he was often at first a lone voice, perceptive through his deep understanding of history and politics, with other people dismissing him until he was proved right (or occasionally wrong). He also shows how Churchill was capable of changing his mind over time and admitting to it – for example, over women, where their contribution to the war effort persuaded him they should be entitled to rights he had previously argued against. A conviction politician certainly, but not hog-tied by it.

There's so much in the book that I've missed out far more than I've included – Churchill's writing, art, speech-making, personal bravery, etc., etc. It is however a surprisingly compact read considering the ground it covers. It's not a full biography – it doesn't set out to be. Boris has selected those events and episodes that he feels cast most light on the character of the man and what formed it – the Churchill Factor, as he calls it. It's brilliantly written, as entertaining as it is insightful and informative, and I feel it casts nearly as much light on the character of the author as the subject. For anyone who still thinks Boris is the buffoon he plays so well, this might come as a real eye-opener. And for those of us who already know that, like the iceberg, the important bit of Boris is the bit you rarely see, this reminds us that we better decide soon if we really want to buy tickets for the Titanic.

There are Churchill nightclubs and bars and pubs – about twenty pubs in Britain bear his name and puglike visage, far more than bear the name of any other contemporary figure. Sometimes it is easy to understand the semiotic function of the name – you can see why a pub-owner might want to go for Churchill. He is the world’s greatest advertisement for the benefits of alcohol. But why is there a Churchill Escort Agency? And what do they offer, apart from blood, toil, tears and sweat?

As if two huge personalities aren't enough for one book, I listened to the Audible audiobook version, which is beautifully narrated by actor Simon Shepherd, who has one of the loveliest voices known to man (or woman) and the perfect rather plummy accent for this kind of book. It's a great narration that does full justice to the book – held my attention throughout, which doesn't always happen with audiobooks. In fact, I found myself frequently doing that 'just one more chapter' thing which normally only happens with the written word. Going to bed each night with Winston, Boris and Simon has been a lot more fun than you might imagine...

NB This audiobook was provided for review by Audible UK.

www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com

[Amina Alieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Щоб зрозуміти чому Борис Джонсон так підтримує Україну, варто прочитати про його role model - Вінсотона Черчиля

[Olia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Раджу, бо розповідь про Черчилля - прекрасна!

[Atharva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible.This is the opposite of a unbiased,nuanced take on an important historical figure-every page is intended to celebrate WSC,with his failings being casually brushed aside.
Hard no.

[Cathal Kenneally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm only giving this book 4 stars as it doesn't mention the famine in Bangladesh during the Second World War for which Churchill was blamed. Apparently it was his idea to divert grain supplies destined for Bangladesh to British soldiers fighting in the Far East.
I'm not a big fan of Boris Johnson but after seeing Darkest Hour l decided to learn a little bit more about Winston Churchill. He is at least unbiased; listing both his achievements and failures. He paints his character in broad brush strokes. He has his disasters but he also had his ideals. Future governments and politicians were inspired by him.
Like everyone he had enemies but it didn't deter him from what he wanted to do

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Churchill is the greatest statesman ever lived. According to Boris Johnson, that is. Without Churchill, no democracy, no EU, no future. Boris Johnson is no academic and therefore this is no academic book. It is Boris's honour to his great example, who he hopes he will rival one day. One day ...

[Світлана Тараторіна · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прочитала, а вірніше прослухала книжку Боріса Джонсона "Фактор Черчилля" і, здається, зрозуміла, чому вона настільки популярна в Україні. А ще я беззаперечно раджу її всім, а особливо дарувати студентам.
Отже фактори успіху "Фактора Черчилля".
1. Стиль Боріса Джонсона.
Кожну главу він будує як риторичну вправу: теза-антитеза. Кожна глава - це виклик загальним уяленням про знаменитого прем'єра перемоги. Джонсон пише: Черчилль від ранку пив віскі, ніколи не прощався з сигарою, змушував червоних від сорому секретарок записувати за ним, поки він сидів у ванні, дозволяв собі сексистські, расистські та інші нейприйнятні сьогодні висловлювання, не шкодував людських життів, був егоїстом та гедоністом, вважав себе найвеличнішою людиною у світі і при тому припускався найжахливіших помилок, на які був здатен політик.
І водночас Джонсон пише: Черчилль заклав підвалини сьогоднішнього цивілізованого світу. Сам він був прабатьком північноатлантичного військового союзу, Ізраїлю, мирному розлученню Британії з колоніями, феномену "залізнох завіси" та, зрештою, саме він став одним з найважливіших факторів у Другій світовій війні. Його розум був здатен спрогнозувати майбутнє, а його енергія і віра у власні ідеі - майбутнє змінити.
2. Пристрасть Боріса Джонсона. Це книга фаната про кумира. Це книга політика, чиїм ідеалом став Черчилль. Це книга прем'єра, який, як і його видатний попердник, відчував на собі вагу славетного минулого Великобританії. Минулого, завдяки якому колишня імперія досі відчуває відповідальність за долю колоній, за долю світу. З цієї позиції, книга - гімн Великобританії. У другу світову Черчилль обрав боротися. В якийсь момент його країна опинилася сам на сам з Гітлером. НІхто б не став на захист Великобританії. І тоді пристрасть Черчилля змусила всіх англійців стати до оборони, терпіти ніщівні бомбардування, але не скласти зброю, але не обритаи капітуляції, як Франція, чи нейтралітету як інші європейські країни. Англійці показали себе сильним, гордим, величним народ��м. Достоту, як ми:)
3. Ця книжка дає відповідь на питання, чому саме Великобританія однією з найперших підтримала Україну у війні з росією. Чому Джонсон зробив свій вибір. Ця книжка дає відподь на питання, чому Великобританія досі найвеличніша культура світу. Британці цінують традиції, але тонко відчувають подуви майбутнього, вони здатні змінюватися і досі - вести за собою світ.
4. Ця книга антирос=радянська. Черчилль ще в 1917-му зрозумів суть нового режиму. Він був змушений посміхатися сталіну, можливо іноді навіть щиро, але він чітко усвідомлював, що це загравання зі скаженим п'яним від крові ведмедем. І колись доведеться повстати перед вибором: або його застрелити, або бути ним зметеним. Тому що цінності рос=радянщини кардинально протилежні цінностям англо-американського світу. А це свобода, рівність, повага до людського життя.
5. Якби Черчилль зараз балотувався у Великобританії, його б ніколи не вибрали, більше того - закидали б гнилими помідорами. А от ми в України обрали б 93% у першому турі. Він уособлення лідера, якого ми прагнемо (навіть його любов до прибухнути нам би зайшла). Українці схожі на британців у таких рисах, як гідність, волелюбство, сміливість, здатність адаптуватися і змінюватися. Ми така собі версія британців 1940-х. Але крутіша:) Потенційно ми з поляками - лідери нової Європи. Нова стіна, нові оборонців від темряви. Хоббіти, здатні замінити людей та ельфів)
Я є послідовним сповідувачем теорії (яку в радянсьі часи називали марксистською) про зумовленність історичних процесів. Ця теорія по суті нівелює роль людини. Вона каже про те, що всі лідери були лише продуктом культури та моменту. Їх виносило на поверхню шумовиння маси. Зрештою, і Ленін очолив революцію не тоді, коли сам цього хотів, а коли склався момент... Я думала, що ідеалістично, може навтіь наївно вірити, що одна людина може змінити хід історії...
Але книга Джонсона похитнула мої переконання. І я хочу бути ідеалістом. Бо я цілком подіялю ідеали, про які йдеться у цій книзі. Цивілізація, що вірить у силу генія окремої людни, у цінність окремого людського життя, здатна народжувати гігантів, спроможніх змінити історію.
І ми живе тому підтвердження.
Україна вже народила таких людей.

[Iryna Khomchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Чому ім’я Черчилля досі означає щось неймовірне? Неймовірні риси характеру, неймовірні таланти, неймовірну впертість, неймовірні рішення? Чому досі жодна особистість не побила рекорду Вінстона Черчилля, ба навіть рекордів, бо ж бути чи не найвидатнішим політиком цілого сторіччя й отримати Нобелівську премію з літератури — це вже два досягнення. А як вам те, що Черчилль ще був і неабияким живописцем? І журналістом (уривки з його воєнних репортажів, наведені в цій книзі, просто змушують пошукати й почитати щось із його книг того часу). І винахідником. І льотчиком. І чоловіком та батьком. І...

Та годі перелічувати всі його чесноти — це вже зробив автор цієї книги (та й не лише він). Подекуди здавалося, що вже аж надто ідеалізується постать цього британця, великого й видатного, не сперечаюся, однак не міг же він бути настільки ідеальним!

"Не міг", — погоджується Боріс Джонсон і намагається чесно розповісти про недоліки характеру героя своєї книги, скажімо, про його пияцтво, пристрасть до тютюну, впертість, вимогливість до оточуючих, схильність маніпулювати іншими й багато чого іще, притаманного звичайній людині (бо ж цей чоловік таки не був суперменом). Однак якщо подивитися на всі ці нюанси з іншого боку, то без них Черчилль не був би Черчиллем, а історія Європи (та й Сполучених Штатів, Індії, Ізраїлю, Ірану, багатьох інших країн Близького Сходу — колишніх складових Британської імперії) склалася б геть інакше.

Найцікавішою мені видалася сторінки, які стосуються Другої світової війни. Про цей період я досить багато читала, однак досі подивитися на події очима жителів острова не доводилося (хіба що герої чудового, до речі, серіалу "Війна Фойла" дещо допомогли свого часу). Й от я собі міркую: що було б, якби британці вчинили так само, як голландці, бельгійці, французи, тобто здалися фактично без бою? Якби Черчилль не закликав співгромадян боротися до кінця, який "настане тільки тоді, як кожен із нас поляже, захлинувшись власною кров’ю"? Чи могли б наші східні сусіди пишатися своєю (чи все-таки "своєю"?) перемогою?

Я не переказуватиму всі ті нюанси боротьби, які часто мають геть не героїчний вигляд (одне лише знищення французького флоту, щоб він не потрапив до рук нацистів, разом із понад тисячею моряків чого варте). Проте якби не було цих жертв, не було ленд-лізу від американців (а залучення їх до боротьби на материку, який вони вважали чужим, — це також заслуга Черчилля), не було впертості британських льотчиків, у якому світі нам довелося б жити нині? Втім, історія не любить умовного способу, тому не гадатимемо, а просто вчитимемося на її подіях і на вчинках людей, які варті наслідування. Черчилль — один із них.

[Gintautas Ivanickas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vieno britų premjero knyga apie kitą britų premjerą.
Kažkaip pernelyg nesidomėjau, kas ir kaip, imdamas skaityti, tai kaži kodėl įsivaizdavau, kad knyga bus tarsi kokia Churchillio biografija. Aišku, yra ne taip, bet išankstinės nuostatos ir realybės nesutapimas nenuvylė, kaip kad kartais gali nutikti.
Knyga veikiau apie tai, koks jis buvo, tas visiems žinomas rubuilis su nepamainomu cigaru burnoje. Knyga apie tai, kokią milžinišką įtaką jo sprendimai ir poelgiai turėjo (ir, reikia pripažinti, tebeturi ir šiandien) ne tik Europai, bet ir nemenkai viso pasaulio daliai.
Johnsono meilė Churchilliui – jokia paslaptis, bet negalėčiau šitos knygos pavadinti ir vienu nepertraukiamu ditirambu serui Winstonui. Veikiau – analize: kodėl jis pasakė/padarė taip, o ne kitaip?
Nepasakysiu, kad nekantriai verčiau puslapį po puslapio, bet nuobodu nebuvo nė akimirką.

[Alex Sarll]

Doubtless people will claim that this book is an act of hubris, Johnson attempting to acquire some reflected glory by yoking himself to another indomitable gadfly who then surprised everyone by becoming the great statesman. Nonsense. Give this topic to most modern politicians, and you would get something like that, a ream of platitudes topped off with a few personal anecdotes bearing the subtext 'It's not for me to compare myself to Winston Churchill; that's for other people to do'. Johnson, though, has never seemed so humble, rightly awed by the sheer range and volume of Churchill's achievements.
He's perhaps a little prone to simplifying the background - Sea Lion was never the sure thing he suggests; Henry Labouchere was a much more ambiguous figure than you'd think from this; and Johnson's line on Versailles is both misguided and (more surprisingly) depressingly conventional. On his leading man, though, he's not bad at all. He doesn't try to hide the feet of clay (opposition to Indian independence, women's rights, the almost comical enthusiasm for the use of poison gas); he doesn't even break out all the guns he could when it comes to Gallipoli, over which Churchill has taken such an unfair share of the blame all these years, down largely to incompetent subordinates and the original Murdoch lie. But he makes a convincing case that the fuck-ups as well as the triumphs can all be traced to the same unshakable appetite for glory and readiness to take risks. Lest we be unclear on this, there are many issues (including some raised here) on which I disagree with Boris Johnson. But I do think there is something to respect in the only front-rank British politician on any side today who would ever, in describing his political idol, deploy a line such as "He was the large protruding nail on which destiny snagged her coat."

[christty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Я читала цю книгу більше місяця. Було дуже приємно розтягнути біографію такої чудової людини, як Вінстона Черчилля. Вразила кількість цікавих фактів про нього - від палкого кохання до літаків до підозри Черчилля в асексуальності. Дослідження й справді неймовірні - автор їздив по місцям, де жив і працював Вінстон, де він захоронений, спілкувався з близькими людьми кращого оратора останніх століть. Книга написана дійсно «фанатом про кумира», про людину, яка фактично створила Боріса Джонсона.

Не пройшло й глави без думки про те, як склалося б наше сьогодення, якби Черчилль все ще був живим. Напевно не маю жодного прикладу людини, настільки розумної і сміливої (чи відчайдушної?) як він. Його мозок, його інтуїція, його логіка - це просто геніально. У мене вибухає голова від кількості його непередбачуваних стратегій.

До того ж, тепер я нарешті зрозуміла, чому я так багато чула про Вінстона Черчилля у нас, в Україні 🇺🇦 І думаю, тепер зрозуміла, чому Великобританія прийшла однією з перших нам на допомогу в такий скрутний час.

Багато політики, історії. Якщо цікавлять подібні теми - дуже рекомендую.

**Його образ має значення не лише для політиків, які заявляють підтримку його ідеалам, а й для людства загалом. Він — модель наслідування для будь-кого, хто не зовсім добре вчився у школі, хто так ніколи і не вступив до університету, не дуже петрав у математиці.
Він говорить від імені кожного, хто боявся не виправдати сподівання батьків, хто відчував себе невдахою, хто боровся з депресією, хто споживав, курив чи пив, певно, більше, аніж варто було б, і тих, хто відчуває, що мусить боротися попри все**

[Kris Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Мабуть найбільше вражена я в цій книжці самим автором, самим Борисом Джонсоном)
Цей контрасний образ його натури! Те в якій він сфері працює, те який в нього стиль і те як він мислить! А мислить він глибоко. Можете оцінити самі з книжки. Книжки-історії про політичні діяння Вінстона Черчилля, про часи 19 ст., про менталітет того часу, про світ та воєнні дії, і про те як реагував світ. Тут дуже багато цікавої інформації, яка наштовхує на різного плану думки, в тому числі і соціально-психологічні.
І це видалось трохи не простою задачею оцінити матеріал якимось одним висновком. Бо виникало багато питань, багато роздумів на різні теми. Від «чому саме в цей час Джонсон видає цю книжку, чи це звязано із теперішньою війною в Україні і це його надихнуло..», «чи він просто хотів розказати світу, що за всі роки війн людство реагувало дуже подібно, схожими діями, схожими реакціями..», «чи це просто сам Джонсон хотів залучитись прихильністю арабського світу, пояснюючи причину конфлікту на Близькому Сході…»
Матеріалу справді багато, думаю кожен в ньому знайде свої роздуми. Як мінімум знання історії:) Розуміння Імперії та колоній.
І нехай весь матеріал був редагований кимось іншим, але сам факт того, що це все зібрано та фільтровано самим автором.
Тому після цієї книжки прихильність до Джонсона зросла ще в рази більше!
Хоча може це і був його мотив.. 😁
Не знаю. Прочитайте, не пожалієте точно!)

[Kačaba · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. Já nemůžu upřít čtivost, vtipné odkazy na pop kulturu, trochu nerdí slova. Opravdu je to jakési zpřístupnění důležité osobnosti dějin. Informace nejsou lživé. Plyne to jedna báseň, není to nijak kostrbaté. Poslouchala jsem jako audioknihu a ta je výtečně namluvená. Na druhou stranu se tam mapuje slušná řádka let a s tím i historických událostí, pokud je aspoň okrajově neznáte, nikdo vám je nevysvětlí, hrozí, že neporozumíte všem souvislostem a budete si myslet bludy.

ALE!!!

Ač byl Churchill nepochybně významnou osobností, Boris Johnson se ho snaží posunout ještě někam nad rámec snesitelnosti. Chce ve vás vyvolat dojem, že své dítě musíte pojmenovat po Chuchillovi a že si jeho fotky musíte vytisknout a vylepit všude po pokoji, protože žádný lepší superhrdina neexistoval, ani se žádný další takový neobjeví. Vykresluje Churchilla tak, že kdybych na něj měla hledět jako na literární postavu, tak mě neuvěřitelně smolí, jaký to je Gary Stu. Navíc podle mě fakt absolutní spratek. Autorův subjektivní pohled z toho čiší. A on ho tedy i sám přiznává - ale já z toho byla na palici.

[Anna Hrinova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Класна книга, і варта прочитання навіть не для того, щоб дізнатися щось нове про Черчилля, а щоб краще зрозуміти Джонсона.

[Shkurenko Sanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Таку компліментарну біографію ще слід добре пошукати. Я не жартую. Борис Джонсонюк, вочевидь, дуже захоплений постаттю Вінстона Черчилля, бо у них обох достобіса паралелей у житті і у політичний кар'єрі. Це надає особливої цікавості книзі, даючи можливість співставити вчинки колишнього прем'єр-міністра з теперішнім. Такий погляд на історичну фігуру світового масштабу звісно можна ставити під сумнів, але так, як Джонсон пише про свого кумира викликає теплу посмішку і бажання продовжувати читати книжку до самого кінця попри втомлені очі о 4 ранку.

[marko · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Faktor Čerčil” predstavlja najbolji primer savršene biografije o jednoj od najvećih ličnosti u istoriji ljudskog roda. Trenutno sam toliko očaran svime u vezi ove knjige, da ću ovu “recenziju” ostaviti na ovome:

“Nije bilo nikoga, ni blizu, ni nalik njemu.
Niti pre, niti posle njega.” Boris Džonson

[Neil Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the 50th anniversary of the death of Churchill there probably won't appear a more entertaining though lightweight account of the great man.

The book is revisionist in the sense of how it exaggerates the noble traits of Churchill like valour, perseverance, creativity and generosity, not to mention his deeds - we have him fearlessly hurtling into the jaws of danger dodging bullets or propelling himself recklessly through the skies at the controls of early aeroplanes - whilst at the same time glossing over some of the darker aspects of his character & his failings. These are many - his Imperialism, his vehement opposition to Indian independence, his long held views against female sufferage, his dark involvement with atrocities in Ireland, his advocacy of chemical weapons, the disastrous Dardanelles campaign of 1915, his deployment of armed troops against strikers - the very things which prevented TIME magazine considering Churchill for "Person of the Century" by their own admission. Johnson acknowledges some of these, but in such a way as to brush them off as minor transgressions in an otherwise Stellar career, or to pin the blame on other actors ( eg : Admiral Fischer for Gallipoli). He erects a defense that any criticism of Churchill represents the application of modern standards of political correctness to a different age.

This is stiff upper lip Land-of-hope-and-glory fare, an account of Churchill through the prism of Johnson's own political agenda ( witness the ridiculous "the Nazis sought to forge a Europe akin to a sinister European Union"). He himself is the one projecting his own bias on contemporary issues backwards through time to apply them to the actions and motivations of Churchill, the subliminal message being "our hero would have approved of my policies and views etc". Ironically Johnson, in his chapter on Churchill's legacy in European integration, has the nerve to lambast those who would hijack his memory in trying to twist his possible thinking and intentions in interpreting a modern- day context when he is doing precisely that himself. But then one reminds oneself that Johnson is a foremost a politican and very much secondary a writer.

Whilst the opinionated style of writing and schoolboy prose ("let us join our hero when") certainly irritate, the book is nevertheless a treasure trove of wisdoms about Churchill and is breathless in its scope. The trick for the reader is to separate the factual from the make-believe, the exaggeration from the understatement. At times Johnson's narrative is almost mature in chapters where he explores Churchill as a linguistic innovator of our language or delves into the creative-depressive side of his personality; his exploration of the nature of Churchill's towering intellect and gigantic memory are impressive. He also conveys very well the sheer scale of Churchill's influence over an enormously significant span of history from the 1890's to the mid 1960's. We often marvel today at Queen Elizabeth II's longliveity in recalling she came to the Throne when Churchill was Prime Minister. Another way of pondering things is to think Elizabeth was Churchill's last Monarch at the end of a political career that began when Victoria was on the throne.

Boris Johnson is a charismatic, gregarious, bombastic, amusing, self-opinionated buffoon who likes to snipe from the sidelines. In this UK general election year he is waiting to pounce on his own party leader and Prime Minister David Cameron whose position as leader of the Conservative Party and PM he covets. The timing for the subtext of his thesis on Churchill, that one man can make the difference in destiny and history, could to the cynical observer be read as " that man is me, I am the leader-in-waiting, the moment makes the man". Johnson modestly claims to be no historian, only a mere mortal with the audacity to recount the great deeds of Churchill; in this one could very well quote Churchill himself- " he is a modest man with much to be modest about".

[Will Once · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have finally worked out the purpose of Boris Johnson - he was born to write this book.

The subject matter suits his bombastic oafish style and consummate belief in himself. That makes it a rollicking good read, if not the definitive biography of Churchill.

Unusually for a biography, the book isn't written chronologically. We don't start with Winston's childhood and then work our way forwards through time. Instead we are given slices of his life to illustrate a particular point. On the whole this works well and is a refreshing change from the normal stodge of childhood, schooldays, early life, great works, decline and death. It can be a little disconcerting at times, but it more or less works.

The language is characteristically Boris - a weird mixture of slang and pomposity. One one page we are told that something isn't much cop and on the next page we bump into obscure polysyllabic words that have us scurrying to a dictionary. It reads well, most of the time if you allow yourself a raised eyebrow at the occasional "Oh, Boris!" moments.

Boris's treatment of Churchill is borderline sycophantic. You can tell that here is a man writing about his hero, someone he has modeled himself on. He doesn't hold back from describing Churchill's mistakes, although he is always ready to defend the great man. Don't come to this book expecting objectivity -- this is fan fiction, though admittedly high quality fan fiction.

If the book has a flaw, it is that there is too much Boris in it. Many of the sections start with Boris. Boris riding his bike. Boris driving on France battlefields. Boris having a very expensive lunch with Nicholas Soames. As I finished the book I realised that I had heard a lot of Boris speaking, but I didn't get a sense of Churchill's voice. This is very much third person reporting with a powerful narrator.

I nearly knocked off a star for that. But that would be to misunderstand this book. This isn't a book solely about Churchill. This is Boris Johnson on Winston Churchill - two self publicists sharing equal billing in identical size fonts on the book's cover. Think of it as a supermarket BOGOF, a buy one get one free. For the price of the book you are getting an insight into two characters and not just one.

And that makes it a unique book, a must read, a boisterous and passionate account of a flawed but fascinating man.

I have only one request to make and I am talking to you, Boris. This is what you were born to do. Please, please, please, do more of it. Amusing as your buffoonery is, we want to see it between the covers of a paperback and not behind the door at number 10.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been fascinated with Winston S. Churchill since I was a child. I try to read everything I can find about him. I was shocked to read in the book that the young people in Britain do not know who Churchill was. Johnson said he wanted to write about Churchill in such a manner as to bring Churchill to the attention of the young. Johnson thought the young might enjoy Churchill’s eccentricity.

This book is written by the current Mayor of London. The element of self-identification in Johnson’s writing is too obvious to ignore. This book is not just another biography. Rather, it is a series of polemics in which Johnson takes up the cudgels against Churchill’s critics.

One of the allegations against Churchill is that he wasn’t very nice to the little people in his life. That in private he was a mean-spirited and short tempered. Johnson relays a story to rebut this charge, told to him by Nicholas Soames, Churchill’s grandson. Johnson also discusses the accusation that Churchill was an unprincipled opportunist and he also addresses the charge of incompetent leadership during World War One that led to Gallipoli. Johnson also discusses Churchill’s literary output and explains how Churchill managed to fit all this into a busy life.

Johnson has created a canvas of more than just World War II but also looks at Churchill’s contributions in the Boer War, WWI and the period leading up to the start of the European Union and shown how, at each point, Churchill’s contributions were essential to Britain’s victories or were ignored by those in power resulting in decisions that left Britain far worse off than it could have been. Johnson also addresses Churchill’s work on behalf of the working poor in the UK, his efforts to improve the living and working conditions of the poor throughout the British Empire.

The book is written with wit, and reveals fascinating nuggets of information I found fascinating. I believe Johnson has been successful in his defense of Churchill as a uniquely great man. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Simon Shepherd narrated the book.

[Христо Блажев · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чърчил, политикът, Чърчил, войникът: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/f...

Много повече политическа, отколкото историческа книга, „Факторът „Чърчил” описва пространно агресивния характер, изменчивата лоялност и често арогантното поведение на считания от мнозина за най-велик британски политик на всички времена. Обяснението на Джонсън е, че именно тези му относително неприятни качества лежат в основата на успеха му при отблъскването на германската агресия и изковаването на антинацисткия пакт, който в крайна сметка довежда до разгрома на Хитлер. Същевременно обаче той го показва и като неуморим работохолик, безжалостен към всичко и всички критик, човек, способен да води спорове и заради принципа и – по-важно – заради принципите. И точно тук мисля, че книгата преминава от рационално в емоционално – четях я успоредно със “Зимата идва” на Гари Каспаров и няма как да не правя паралел в напразно дирене дали има политик от подобен мащаб в наши дни, който е способен да се изправи срещу световните заплахи.

ИК "Хермес"
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/f...

[Kirstie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am genuinely astonished by how many 5* reviews this has had! I must be missing something because I just felt it went here there and everywhere, backwards and forwards and basically just sang his praises from the first line all the way to the end! There is no doubting just how much he adores WC!

[Aušra Strazdaitė-Ziberkienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Knygos rašymas yra nuotykis. Pirmiausia tai būna žaislas ir pramoga. Vėliau tampa meiluže, paskui šeimininku, paskui tironu. Paskutinėje stadijoje, kai ketini susitaikyti su savo vergove, nukauni tą pabaisą ir sviedi publikai.“ – tai viena paskutinių pastraipų viename paskutinių knygos skyrių „Padėka“ (p. 366). Nesu parašius knygos, bet santykis su disertacija buvo panašus - nors šeimininku ir vergvaldžiu laikiau doktorantūros vadovą.

Lėto ir malonaus skaitymo knyga – nuolat reikia sustoti, pagalvoti, pagooglinti. O taip pat su ja norisi bėgti pas kitame kambaryje sėdintį vyrą, nes būtinai, tiesiog būtinai reikia jam perskaityti balsu TĄ vietą. Ramaus pasakojimo, atidaus stebėtojo, korektiško tyrėjo knyga. Išsamiai nurodyta literatūra, pakomentuotos išnašos, nurodyti nuotraukų ir citatų savininkai – tai tikrai malonu. Knygoje 23 (smagių pavadinimų) skyriai, įžanga, gyvenimo chronologija, padėkos, bibliografija, iliustracijos, asmenvardžių rodyklė. Tai, be abejo, irgi malonu, bet ne tiek naudinga man, kiek britui – aš net savų premjerų neišvardinčiau. Nors britų monarchus – tikėtina.
B. Johnsono stilius puikus ir visai tikėtina, kad ir Jūs norėsite pasiknisti jo šeimos biografijoje – beje, verta. Man buvo malonu sužinoti, kad Borisas – nebūtinai slaviškas vardas. Bet čia jau kita istorija.

Skaitydama knygą kaip visada žymėjausi patikusias vietas. Štai keletas jų:

„Turi būti trenktas, kad rašytum ne už pinigus, sakydavo jis cituodamas dr. Johnsoną, bet, aišku, jo paties atveju tai buvo toli nuo tiesos. Jis rašė ir todėl, kad to reikalavo temperamentas.“ (p. 90, skyrius „Didysis diktatorius“). Prisipažinsiu – man buvo naujiena Churchillio rašymas. O knygos pabaigoje pateikiami jo svarbiausi darbai.

„Į frontą su CHurchilliu keliaudavo asmeninė vonia, dideli rankšluosčiai, karšto vandens pūslė, maisto dėžės iš „Fortnum and Mason“, dideli sūdytos jautienos gabalai, Stiltono sūriai, grietinėlė, kumpis, sardinės, džiovinti vaisiai ir didžiulis jautienos pašteto pyragas – ką jau kalbėti apie persikų likerį ir kitus gėrimus.“ (p. 114, skyrius „Gera žmogiška širdis“).

„Vien pažiūrėjus į Churchillį matosi, kaip esminiai jo gyvenimo būdas skiriasi nuo atgrasaus nacių rimtumo, vienodumo ir pompastikos. Niekada nepamirškime: Hitleris buvo blaivininkas – ši deformacija paaiškina daug nelaimių.“ (p. 153, skyrius „Džono Bulio savybės“).

„Tačiau pastaraisiais metais kenksmingiausiai Churchillį puola geranoriški žmonės, nepatenkinti tuo, kad jo kalbose, laiškuose ir straipsniuose pilna tokių idėjų ir žodžių, su kuriais šiandien jis siųstinas į baisiausiai politiškai nekorektiškų raupsuotųjų koloniją. Jis kaltinamas buvęs rasistas, seksistas, imperialistas, sionistas, arijų ir anglosaksų pranašumo skelbėjas ir eugenikos šalininkas; ir, jam tolstant nuo mūsų laike, nepasterizuotas Churchillis mūsų delikačiam moderniam skoniui gali atrodyti truputį nešvankus.“ (p. 339-340, skyrius „Jo pavardės prasmė šiandien“)

„Kartais jis su pasimėgavimu sutaršydavo savo priešininkų veidmainiškumą. Karo vidury per pietus Baltuosiuose rūmuose Rooseveltas pabandė pakiršinti jį pasodindamas šalia Ogden Reid – leidėjo ir aršios Indijos nepriklausomybės šalininkės. Toji ponia jo, suprantama, paklausė: „Ką jūs ketinate daryti su tais vargšais indais?“ Churchillis atsakė: „Prieš tęsdami pokalbį turime išsiaiškinti vieną dalyką. Ar mes kalbame apie rudaodžius Indijos indus (indians), kurie, geranoriškai valdomi britų, baisingai dauginasi? Ar kalbame apie raudonodžius Amerikos indėnus (indians), kurie, kiek žinau, beveik išnykę?“ (p. 341, skyrius „Jo pavardės prasmė šiandien“)

„Jie ten lankosi, kad pajaustų kone fizinį buvusio premjero buvimą: pamatytų sulankstomąją lovelę, kurioje jis priguldavo energinio pogulio, Britanijos pakrančių gynybos žemėlapį jam prieš akis, cigarą peleninėje lyg keistą rudą koprolitą.“ (p. 344, skyrius „Jo pavardės prasmė šiandien“). Bet prašyčiau, ponas Johnsonai! Aš tai žinau (tiesa neseniai sužinojau) kas yra koprolitas. Bet kitiems siūlau pasidomėti į ką autoriui panašus cigaras ir patiems pasidaryti išvadas apie jo humoro jausmą!

„Visada maniau, kad ateivis, žvilgterėjęs į šią planetą, turbūt nuspręstų, jog žmonės, tiksliai sakant, nėra individai – iš tikrųjų jie priklauso kokiam nors organizmui, tarsi lapai susieti nematomų šakų. Esame labai panašios išvaizdos, kartu šlamame, esame pučiami tų pačių vėjų, ir t.t.“ (p. 357, skyrius „Churchillio veiksnys)

Tad tikiuosi susidarėte nuomonę apie pono Johnsonas stilių. Tai nėra knyga, parašyta už stalo archyve. Jis pasakoja, kaip lankosi karo laukuose, žvelgia pro gimimo kambario langą, lanko auklės kapą, važiuoja dviračiu pro kirpyklą.... bei visai nesislėpdamas dėkoja tūlam Andrew Robertsui, surengusiam dvi ilgas, alkoholiu pastiprintas konsultacijas Hertfordo gatvėje Nr. 5.

Išvados? Manau aš kitaip pradėsiu žiūrėti į ilgaamžių, politinių kataklizmų metų valstybes vairavusių žmonių veiksmus ir pasisakymus. Atlaidžiau, bet ne pro pirštus. Ir ko gero atleisiu V. Kudirkai už jo antisemitizmą – mūsų laikams jis tiesiog nepasterizuotas.

P.s. Po Mukjerhee detektyvų man labai norėjosi paragauti salyklinio viskio. Dabar man norisi dar ir Stiltono sūrio.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Впечатлението ми от книгата е за доста произволно тълкуване на действия и решения на Чърчил с единствената цел да се създаде ореол на величие около него. Споменати са няколко общоизвестни грешки в кариерата му, при това колосални, довели до десетки хиляди изгубени човешки животи, но те някак са заметени под килима. Не били изцяло отговорност на Чърчил и пр. Оставам с чувството, че Борис Джонсън иска да оправдае личните си спорни политики като премиер на Великобритания, като прави паралел между себе си и Чърчил. Чърчил се е оказал прав за Хитлер, когато всички други са грешали, за СССР и комунизма, когато всички други са се съмнявали. Ето така ще е прав и Джонсън, въпреки че сега скептиците само се множат. Но историята остава крайният съдник, макар че в сложни ситуации като днешните рядко може да се каже с точност кой е бил прав и кой - крив. Може би някои хора имат нужда да се обяснят.

[thewanderingjew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History, Boris Johnson, read by Boris Johnson

Written and read by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, this book is an in-depth study of what made Winston Churchill great. Until his death, in 1965, Winston Churchill was a man larger than life. There were those that supported him and those that maligned him, but today he is renowned and revered for his analysis of world conditions and for his predictions of what was to come from events and decisions made in his time that would eventually affect the future of the entire world. Boris Johnson is a great admirer of Churchill and he has spent countless hours researching this magnificent man. Churchill often exaggerated the facts and insisted that he was right. He preferred to speak in simple language to the people, so they would understand his message. Johnson captures Hitler and Churchill to a “t”, and, as the author states, “Hitler made you think he could do anything, but Churchill made you think you could do anything!” Churchill’s speeches were magnificent even if he was not the greatest orator. He didn’t mince words, and he made his feelings widely known with masterful speeches. The book is an absolutely brilliant rendering of the man who quite possibly saved Europe from German rule, according to the author who believes that Churchill’s decisions made it possible to have a world without Hitler. If, like his enemies, he had wanted to pursue a policy of appeasement, Europe would have fallen under that madman’s control.
According to Johnson, Churchill’s foresight and courage inspired the Allies to victory. Although he could be crude, rude and brash, he had heart. He implemented social programs and work programs to help the poor. He was a Tory than a Liberal than a Tory again. He was married to the same woman for over 60 years and their love never faltered, although there are rumors of infidelity that were never proven. He was a drinker, but held his liquor well. He was a man with a great sense of humor; the witticisms mentioned will have the reader laughing out loud, although the author disclaims some that are attributed to him incorrectly.
Churchill was a man unconcerned with his appearance, often covered with cigar ash, a man with his own fashion sense which did not move with fashion trends, a man who spoke his mind and accumulated many enemies along the way, a man who believed he could move mountains and was more often right than wrong and eventually was deservedly well-regarded by many, although he was never without rivals. Unfortunately, when WWII ended, he received little credit, rather, he was booted out and replaced, but he remained humble in his defeats and never truly gave up trying to reenter the fray. His influence on the geopolitical stage is still felt today. He was prescient in his analysis of many situations, was a staunch supporter of Israel, believed in maintaining strong ties with America and remaining an enemy of Communism. Churchill’s fingerprints are all over the last century and their effects are felt in this one. His speeches maintain relevancy even today.
The book is read so beautifully by the author who paints a portrait of an outstanding man willing to buck the standards of the day and march to the beat of his own drummer for the safety and security of England. His colorful presentation of this remarkable man, complete with the real and the fabled stores about him, is mesmerizing. His writing style enhances Churchill as a human being, one who demanded for himself and others, steadfastness and strength in the face of adversity. His portrayal of Churchill and Clementine’s relationship is both romantic and touching. He draws a picture of a couple that shared a deep love and devotion for many years.
The book is written almost as an ongoing conversation with the reader. The descriptive vocabulary assumes far more than a grade school education. It is written with a sophisticated knowledge of the English language, on a level not often seen today in books for the general public. He does not pander to the reader with slang or crude expressions. If foul language is used it is pertinent or it is a quote. He recites some parts of Churchill’s speeches and his presentation of the man tends to the lyrical and is often humorous. I can’t make enough positive remarks about this book, its content, its prose and its reader.