Reading rank 419
The Second World War
, subject: Winston Churchill's six-volume history and memoir of World War II, 1948
Churchill’s war memoirs became one of the most rewarded books ever published, and his account went on to shape how the war is remembered.
8
Coverage Score
2
Scored evidence
About the book
Published across six volumes beginning in 1948, Churchill's account follows the origins and course of World War II through the Allied victory and the emerging Cold War, blending memoir with historical narrative.
Why read it
Best if you want to see how one participant’s account of a war became both a huge publishing success and a lasting influence on how that war is remembered.
Key themes
- Telling the story was itself worth a fortune
- The author’s account becomes the remembered war
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #225, #226
This record is supported by 2 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Winston Churchill — David describes Churchill's war memoirs as immensely successful, among the most popular and highly rewarded books ever published, and says the original deal was worth roughly $50 million in contemporary dollars.
- Heroes: From Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar to Churchill and de Gaulle — David describes Churchill's most successful book and its lasting influence on how the war is remembered.