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Churchill's Shadow

An Astonishing Life and a Dangerous Legacy

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Churchill's Shadow

By: Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A critical but fair political biography of Churchill that zooms in on crucial moments in his life and career that help us understand the man in his many contradictions.

While in A. J. P. Taylor's words, Churchill was 'the saviour of his country', he was also a deeply flawed character, whose personal ambition would cloud his political judgement - and, as a result, he was often plain wrong. But the book's central argument goes beyond biography - it argues that Churchill has cast a dark shadow over post-war British history and contemporary politics - from the 'Churchillian stance' of Tony Blair taking the country to war in Iraq, to the delusion of a special relationship with the United States, to the fateful belief in British exceptionalism: that the nation can once again stand alone in Europe.

Wheatcroft takes a radically different approach to other hagiographies of Churchill. This is a biography that doesn't just tell the story of his life but the equally fascinating one of his legacy, focusing on how Churchill was viewed by contemporaries and those who came after.

This book is both a biography of the man and a fresh and revealing account of post-war politics seen through his legacy.

©2021 Geoffrey Wheatcroft (P)2021 Penguin Audio Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State War Winston Churchill Imperialism Soviet Union Royalty Military Socialism
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An intelligent, gripping, balanced and insightful biography of Winston Churchill.

Well research and crafted. Wheatcroft provides a example of how to approach and critically analyse history.

This biography will resonate with me for many years.

A masterpiece

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Such an informative account which left me in despair of politics and voters. Politicians bring out the worst in people, except when they have their finest hour.
But apart from that complaining, this is a very good book, well worth listening to.

Such breadth, so informative about politics

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a very well put together account of this historical icons life and legacy and it's ongoing influence in today's societies, politics & culture.
will we never learn!!!

An Historical lesson for today!

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