Jennie Churchill, Winston's mother was born an American and was a brilliant socialite. With such a heritage, the young man was bound either to become an excentric recluse or to grip the reins of destiny and ride into the future. He chose the latter course. Beginning a career in the army, he maneuvered himself onto the battlefield of every major struggle facing the British Empire, from India to South Africa, from Omdurman to Gallipolli, from the Western Front of WWI to the world stage in WWII. Throughout these episodes he faced the enemy with courage, resolve and sometimes with a touch of recklessness. Roy Jenkins describes these scenes in some detail, concentrating especially on Churchill's state of mind and his effect on the World at Large. For even at the early stages of his career, Churchill had become a celebrity in England.

He wrote literally millions of published words during his life-time. Newspaper articles and books in his early years, especially about his adventures in South Africa, were widely read. His political career got off to an early start as well. He was first elected to Parliament at the seasoned age of 26. Later he would become one of the youngest cabinet ministers to sit in various seats of the cabinet from Chancellor of the Exchequer (similar to the Secretary of the Treasury) to First Lord of the Admiralty.

Churchill's brashness and self-confidence often got him into trouble, and it is here where the prose of Jenkin's gives us tremendous insight. We find that Churchill was admired for his intelligent grasp of politics and history; he was lauded for his persuasive oratory; he was valued because of his work ethic and stamina. Even so, many men, high in the government found him disagreeable to work with. Jenkin's digs through a massive archive of old letters and diaries and brings to light intimate details about how Churchill, by his forthrightness and boldness tended to alienate certain powerful men - who would later keep him out of the government.

Churchill is best remembered for first warning the world of the horrors of Nazism and then of fighting the lonely struggle through 1940 when Great Britain stood alone against the German Juggernaut. The rise of Hitler would also mean the rise of Churchill. The obvious threat of Nazi Germany meant that Britain could only appease Hitler or stand firm against him. Churchill was the leading advocate of a tough stance with Hitler. He was heard but not heeded throughout the 1930s when one territory after another was ceded to Germany in hopes of staving off a world war. By the time 1939 came around and Hitler was ready to swallow Poland, appeasement was recognized as a failure and war was inevitable. It has long been argued that if Churchill's ideas had been implemented early on, there may not even have been a need for war. His dictum that stipulated that peace be achieved through strength would prove reliable and true and later stave off a third world war when it was implemented by the United States against the Soviets during the Cold War.

Even after the great war, Churchill's life could hardly be called a footnote. He remained on the world stage fighting communism, writing books, making speeches and actually serving again as Prime Minister during the 1950s.

Churchill's life is a great lesson to individuals in that it shows how a life is well-lead. It is a great lesson of history for it tells how evil is effectively fought. It is a great lesson in politics for it tells how a career is conducted with success and honor. Jenkin's has a powerful story to tell and tells it well.