After several decades of historical revisionism, Winston Churchill remains one of the most controversial figures in modern history. Critics allege he was a diehard imperialist and warmonger, a bitter opponent of the working classes and a maverick opportunist with an insatiable appetite for power. Despite his record as ‘the man who won the war’, he is often accused of being a war criminal.

This book sets out to correct the historical record in a stimulating collection of essays. Arranged in chronological order to show his life in the context of 20th century world history, these essays are both detailed and analytical while still highly accessible to a general audience. Each one answers a specific historical question (see Contents below) about Churchill through a critical examination of the existing historical record.

The author believes that Churchill deserves to be remembered as much for his domestic policy as his wartime achievements. Of particular interest is an evaluation of his role in introducing old age pensions and unemployment benefits for the very poorest in Edwardian Britain. This, some historians argue, made the difference between revolution and evolution at the end of the war. A special section examines his political philosophy, which is revealed to be more consistent than many imagine.

While attention is given to Churchill’s prodigious political accomplishments, the book also shows how he anticipated many important debates facing the world today.
* In 2002 Churchill was voted ‘The Greatest Briton’ in a BBC-conducted survey

CONTENTS

Introduction: Churchill and the war on terror
Chapter 1: THE PROMISE OF YOUTH (1874-1900)
What relationship did Churchill have with his parents?
Was Churchill a schoolboy dud?
Was Churchill an unrepentant jingoist in Britain’s ‘River War’?
Why did Churchill achieve world fame during the Boer War?

Chapter 2: POLITICAL FIREBRAND (1900-1911)
Why did Churchill switch political parties in 1904?
Was Churchill an enemy of immigrants at the turn of the C20?
Did Churchill propose to abolish the House of Lords?
Was Churchill a reforming Home Secretary?
Did Churchill send troops to fire on strikers?
Did Churchill create Britain’s welfare state?

Chapter 3: THE CHALLENGE OF TOTAL WAR (1911-1918)
What were Churchill’s main achievements at the Admiralty?
Did Churchill try to prevent World War 1?
Was Churchill responsible for the Gallipoli disaster?
Did Churchill invent the tank?
Was Churchill an effective battalion commander?

Chapter 4: REBUILDING A SHATTERED WORLD (1919-1930)
Did Churchill believe in a punitive peace after WW1?
Why did Churchill wish to strangle the Bolshevik Revolution at birth?
What were Churchill’s contributions to peacemaking in Ireland?
How did Churchill help create modern Iraq?
Why did Churchill cross the floor in 1924?
Was Churchill an orthodox Chancellor?
What was Churchill’s attitude during the General Strike?

Chapter 5: GATHERING STORM (1931-1939)
Why did Churchill oppose Indian ‘self rule’ in the 1930s?
Did Churchill admire Mussolini?
What was Churchill’s role during the Abdication Crisis?
How did Churchill react to the rise of Hitler?
Why did Churchill object to the Munich settlement?
How realistic were Churchill’s alternatives to appeasement?
Were the wilderness years a romantic legend?

Chapter 6: SAVIOUR OF THE FREE WORLD – 1940
Why did WSC become Prime Minister in May 1940?
Did Churchill betray the French in 1940?
Did Churchill contemplate a compromise peace with Hitler?
Why did Churchill order an attack on the French fleet in 1940?
Did Churchill let Coventry burn during the Blitz?
Was Churchill a reactionary on the Home Front?
Did an actor read Churchill’s speeches?

Chapter 7: TOWARDS TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY – (1941-5)
How ‘special’ was the Churchill-FDR partnership before Pearl Harbour?
Was there a cover up over Pearl Harbour?
Could Churchill have been toppled from power during the Second World War?
How did Churchill aid the Russians after the German invasion?
Did Churchill delay a Second Front in Europe?
What was Churchill’s response to the Holocaust?
What was Churchill’s attitude to ‘area bombing’?
Did Churchill betray Eastern Europe during WW2?
Did Churchill appease Stalin during World War 2?
What role did Churchill play in the bombing of Hiroshima?
Chapter 8: CHURCHILL AS WAR LEADER
What were Churchill’s greatest qualities as a war leader?

Chapter 9: ELDER STATESMAN (1945-1955)
Why did Churchill lose the 1945 election?
What was the true message of the Iron Curtain speech?
Did Churchill believe in a Federal Europe?
How did Churchill try to end the Cold War?

Chapter 10: CHURCHILL’S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Was Churchill a racist?
Was Churchill a democrat?
Was Churchill a monarchist?
Was Churchill an appeaser?
Was Churchill a warmonger?
Was Churchill a Zionist?
Was Churchill an imperialist?
Was Churchill a Liberal or Conservative?