Churchill

About the book

First published in 2009, the biography follows Churchill from his early military adventures and political setbacks through wartime leadership and his later role as an elder statesman. Johnson uses episodes and quotations to emphasize Churchill’s humor, courage, pugnacity, and capacity to recover from defeat.

Why read it

Best if you want a short first Churchill biography that emphasizes character, recovery from defeat, clear language, and leadership decisions

Evidence and original sources

David says he loves the book, highly encourages listeners to buy it, and recommends it as an easy and entertaining first Churchill biography.

• Winston Churchill — David introduces this Paul Johnson biography as the episode's main subject.
• Heroes: From Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar to Churchill and de Gaulle — David identifies Churchill as the prior episode and as the first Paul Johnson book he read.
• Alexander the Great — David identifies Founders Episode 225 as his episode on Paul Johnson’s concise Churchill biography.
• Mozart: A Life — David highly recommends returning to Founders Episode 225 on Winston Churchill while discussing Paul Johnson’s concise writing style.
• The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle to Control the Skies — The official Episode 241 notes identify and link Churchill by Paul Johnson and Founders Episode 225.
• Steve Jobs In His Own Words — David calls Paul Johnson’s Churchill biography fantastic.