Winston S. Churchill
In war, what we do not dislike is usually not what the enemy does.
Churchill's "The Second World War"
WSC Excerpts
"Let us be contented with what has happened to us and thankful for all we have been spared. Let us accept the natural order in which we move. Let us reconcile ourselves to the mysterious rhythm of our destinies, such as they may be in this world of space and time. Let us treasure our joys but not bewail our sorrows. The glory of light cannot exist without its shadows. Life is a whole, and good and ill must be accepted together. The journey has been enjoyable and well worth making -- once."
from 'Thoughts and Adventures'
"Almost the the chief mystery of life is what makes one do things. Let the reader look back over the path he has traveled and examine searchingly and faithfully the reasons, impressions, motives, occasions which led him to this or that decisive step in his career. Sometimes he will find that people that impressed him least influenced him most. Small people, casual remarks, and little things very often shape our lives more powerfully than the deliberate, solemn advice of great people at critical moments. Men and women as often as not address themselves to serious emergencies with resolution and with a conscious desire to choose the best way. But usually in our brief hazardous existence some trifle, some accident, some quite unexpected and irrelevant fact has laid the board in such a way as to determine the move we make. We have always to be on our guard against being thrown off our true course by chance and circumstance; and the glory of human nature lies in our seeming capacity to excercise conscious control of our own destiny. In a broad view, large principles, a good heart, high aims, a firm faith, we may find some charts and a compass for our voyage. Still, as we lean over the stern of the ship and watch the swirling eddies in our wake, the most rigid and resolute of us must feel how many currents are playing their part in the movements of the vessel that bears us onwards."
from 'Thoughts and Adventures'
"Having bought the colours, an easel, and a canvas, the next
step was to begin. But what a step to take! The palette
gleamed with beads of colour; fair and white rose the canvas; the empty
brush hung poised, heavy with destiny, irresolute in the air. My
hand seemed arrested by a silent veto. But after all the sky on this
occasion was unquestionably blue, and a pale blue at that. There
could be no doubt that blue paint mixed with white should be put on the
top part of the canvas. One really does not need to have had an artist's
training to see that. It is a starting-point open to all. So
very gingerly I mixed a little blue paint on the palette with a very small
brush, and then with infinite precaution made a mark about as big as a
bean upon the affronted snow-white shield. It was a challenge, a
deliberate challenge; but so subdued, so halting, indeed so cataleptic,
that it deserved no response. At that moment the loud approaching
sound of a motor-car was heard in the drive. From this chariot stepped
swiftly and lightly none other than the gifted wife of Sir John Lavery.
'Painting! But what are you hesitating about? Let me have a
brush - the big one.' Splash into the turpentine, wallop into the
blue and the white, frantic flourish on the palette - clean no longer -
and then several large, fierce strokes and slashes of blue on the absolutely
cowering canvas. Anyone could see that it could not hit back.
No evil fate avenged the jaunty violence. The canvas grinned in helplessness
before me. The spell was broken. The sickly inhibitions rolled
away. I seized the largest brush and fell upon my victim with Berserk
fury. I have never felt any awe of a canvas since."
from 'Painting as a Pastime'
"The most common form of diversion is reading. In that vast and varied field millions find their mental comfort. Nothing makes a man more reverent than a library. 'A few books,' which was Lord Morley's definition of anything under five thousand, may give a sense of comfort and even of complacency. But a day in a library, even of modest dimensions, quickly dispels these illusory sensations. As you browse about, taking down book after book from the shelves and contemplating the vast, infinitely varied store of knowledge and wisdom which the human race has accumulated and preserved, pride, even in its most innocent forms, is chased from the heart by feelings of awe not untinged with sadness. As one surveys the mighty array of sages, saints, historians, scientists, poets and philosophers whose treasures one will never be able to admire - still less enjoy - the brief tenure of our existence here dominates the mind and spirit.
Think of all the wonderful tales that have been told, and well told, which you will never know. Think of all the searching inquiries into matters of great consequence which you will never pursue. Think of all the delighting or disturbing ideas that you will never share. Think of the mighty labours which have been accomplished for your service, but of which you will never reap the harvest. But from the melancholy there also comes a calm. The bitter sweets of a pious despair melt into an agreeable sense of compulsory resignation from which we turn with renewed zest to the lighter vanities of life.
'What shall I do with all my books?' was the question; and the answer, 'Read them,' sobered the questioner. But if you cannot read them, at any rate handle them and, as it were, fondle them. Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will. Read on from the first sentence that arrests the eye. Then turn to another. Make a voyage of discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas. Set them back on their shelves with your own hand. Arrange them on your own plan, so that if you do not know what is in them, you at least know where they are. If they cannot be your friends, let them at any rate be your acquaintances. If they cannot enter the circle of your life, do not deny them at least a nod of recognition."
from 'Painting as a Pastime'
My WSC Books
Here's a list of books in my collection by and about Churchill:
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Speeches of Winston Churchill - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1989 Edited and with an introduction by David Cannadine. The Great Man's oration from 1900 to 1955. Great stuff.
Boer War, The - Winston Churchill, Dorset Press 1991 Two of WSC's books in one: 'London to Ladysmith' and 'Ian Hamiltons March'. A collection of articles (plus more) from his exploits during the Boer War (South Africa 1899-1902).
Churchill and Secret Service - David Stafford, Overlook Press 1997 Churchill's connections with the world of intelligence.
Churchill on Courage - Frederick Talbott, Thomas Nelson Publishers 1996 A collection of WSC's 'timeless wisdom for perservering' from the 1900s to the 1960s.
Churchill on Leadership: Executive Success in the Face of Adversity - Steven Hayward, Forum 1998 Churchill and leadership. A great man and his great thoughts.
Churchill Proceedings: 1996-1997 - Various , The Churchill Center 2000 Paper and addresses at events sponsored by the Churchill Center and the International Churchill Societies of Canada and the UK for '96 and '97.
Churchill Speaks - Robert Rhodes James, Barnes & Noble Books 1998 Culled from James' eight volume edition of Churchill's speeches, the complete text of his most famous 300 speeches.
Churchill: A Biography - Roy Jenkins, Farrar, Straus and Giroux 2001 Another biography, admiring WSC yet not dismissing his faults. Some new information and many new perspectives
Churchill: A Pictorial Biography - Alan Moorehead, Viking Press 1960 A very nice book with pictures, cartoons, text on Churchill's life up to 1960.
Churchill: Speaker of the Century - James Humes, Stein and Day 1984 A biography of WSC's speech-making - elections, House of Commons, extemperaneous, etc. plus selected clever, witty and wise utterances.
Churchill: The End of Glory - A Political Biography - John Charmley, Harcourt Brace 1993 I've not heard good things about this book. One of the revisionist Churchill writers, and as always on very shaky grounds.
Churchill: The Man of the Century - Neil Ferrier, Doubleday & Company 1965 Hardcover in fair d/j. Small oversize, many large photos. Clean bright covers, slight bowing. Otherwise excellent.
Churchill: The Unruly Giant - Norman Rose, Free Press 1995 'In our opinion the best single-volume interpretive biography, judicious and wise with many new angles' - Review in Finest Hour: The Journal of the International Churchill Societies.
Churchill: The Walk with Destiny - H. Tatlock Miller, Hutchinson & Co Ltd. 1959 Lovely thick oversize book with large photos on every page. Some text.
Churchill: Wanted Dead or Alive - Celia Sandys, Carroll & Graf Publishing 2000 Written by Churchill's granddaughter, the story of Winston Churchill in Africa during the Boer War - war correspondent, combatant, soldier, prisoner and his escape from a POW camp that propelled him to international fame.
Clementine Churchill - Mary Soames, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1979 Subtitled 'The Biography of a Marriage', its the story of two strong-willed, passionate, loyal people whose love and trust never faltered. Adds truth to the adage 'behind every great man is a great woman'.
Connoisseur's Guide to the Books of Winston Churchill, A - Richard Langworth, Brassey's, London 2000 Richard Langworth is a long time seller of books by and about Winnie. Here he gathers all the information he has acquired through the years into a concise, compact and complete collection of tidbits for finding the real Churchill Books. Signed.
Emminent Churchillians - Andrew Roberts, Simon & Schuster 1994 A look at the people around Winston Churchill and how they tried to use him for their own ends while he was in power.
Frontiers and Wars - Winston Churchill, Smithmark 1995 His four early books covering his life as soldier and war correspondent. The Malakand Field Force, The River War, London to Ladysmith, Ian Hamilton's March. Condition as new in as new d/j.
Great Contemporaries - Winston Churchill, W.W. Norton & Co. 1991 A collection of WSC's articles giving an overview of various personalities in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Greatest of Friends, The - Keith Alldritt, St. Martins Press 1995 This book examines the friendship between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1939 to 1945. It shows the two leaders in mutual admiration, confidence, humor, jealousy, disagreement, friction and affection.
India: Defending the Jewel in the Crown - Winston Churchill, Dragonwyck Publishing 1990 Churchill's unforgettable pronouncements for keeping India within the British Empire. Absolutely brilliant.
Irrepressible Churchill, The - Kay Halle, Robson Books 1985 A collection of WSC's quips, quotes, speeches, with a sprinkling of observations by others. Includes some relevant political cartoons.
Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill - A Portrait with Letters - Peregrine Churchill, St. Martins Press 1974 Companion volume to the Thames Television series starring Lee Remick as Jennie. I've never seen this series. Can anyone tell me if I should? VG/VG.
London to Ladysmith via Pretoria - Winston Churchill, T.W. Griggs and Co. 1982 WSC's account of the Boer War (1899-1902), including his capture and escape from a POW camp. Delightful reading, provided you understand the times it was written in.
Lord Randolph Churchill - Volume 1 - Winston Churchill, Macmillan 1906 Oh, Me Beauties! The Great Man's tribute to his father. TEG, frayed spine top and bottom edges, g/b both inside end papers, spotting on spine, otherwise good. $99 for the pair at a used book shop.
Lord Randolph Churchill - Volume 2 - Winston Churchill, Macmillan 1906 Second volume on Winston's father. TEG, frayed spine top and bottom edges, faded lower spin edge, minor spotting on front and back board, g/b both inside end pages, still good.
Maxims and Reflections - Winston Churchill, Barnes & Noble Books 1992 A small collection of quips and quotes from WSC's books, articles, speeches, etc.
My African Journey - Winston Churchill, W.W. Norton & Co. 1990 WSC's collection of articles written during his African journey, which he later grouped into this book. A good look at an early 20th century English gentleman's view (Churchills, of course) of the Dark Continent.
My Early Life: A Roving Commision - Winston Churchill, Scribners 1958 Churchill by Churchill - Childhood, the Army, wars, books, entering Parliment.
Roosevelt and Churchill, 1939-1941 - Joseph Lash, Franklin Library 1976 Describes the relationship of WSC and FDR during the early years of WW2. Primarily shows WSC trying to get the US involved in the war against Hitler, and Roosevelt's efforts to give assistance without a formal declaration of war.
Savrola - Winston Churchill, Leo Cooper 1990 Churchill's only novel, published in 1899. Interesting in what it shows about the young author.
Sinews of Peace, The - Winston Churchill, Winston Churchill Memorial Lib 1995 WSC's speech at Westminster College, Fulton, MO. on March 5, 1946, where he invokes the phrase 'Iron Curtain.'
Story of the Malakand Field Force, The - Winston Churchill, W.W. Norton & Co. 1990 WSC's first book, following his exploits in India as a young subaltern (and reporter) on the Northern Frontier. For a first book, the Churchill style is already evident.
Story of Winston Churchill, The - Alida Sims Malkus, Signature Books 1957 A Signature Book. Young adult's book sprinkled with many b/w illustrations by Herman Vestal.
Story of Winston Churchill, The - Earl Schenck Miers, Wonder Books 1965 A Spotlight Wonder Book. Obviously a young adult's book, but sprinkled with many b/w and color photos. A unique find.
The Second World War - Vol 1, The Gathering Storm - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1948 Volume 1 of the 6 volume set. 1919 thru May, 1940, when Churchill becomes Prime Minister.
The Second World War - Vol 2, Their Finest Hour - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1948 Vol 2 of the 6 volume set. May, 1940 thru January, 1941.
The Second World War - Vol 3, The Grand Alliance - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1948 Volume 3 of the 6 volume set. Early 1941 thru Late 1941. Also covers the early War in the Atlantic.
The Second World War - Vol 4, The Hinge of Fate - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1948 Vol 4 of the 6 volume set. January 1942 thru May 1943.
The Second World War - Vol 5, Closing the Ring - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1948 Volume 5 of the 6 volume set. June, 1943 thru June, 1944. Includes updates on the War in the Atlantic.
The Second World War - Vol 6, Triumph and Tragedy - Winston Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1948 The last volume. D-Day, June, 1944 thru the end of the war, September, 1945
Thoughts and Adventures - Winston Churchill, W.W. Norton & Co. 1991 A superb collection of WSC's written material. A whole host of stories: politics, war, stray thoughts, personalities, etc. The best (I feel) is "A Second Choice", where WSC ponders the ifs, ands, or buts of making different choices in his life.
True Story of Sir Winston Churchill: British Statesman, The - Aurthur Booth, Childrens Press 1964 Ex-library for children. Missing top 1/2 inch spine, library marks on cover, spine and throughout. Otherwise good.
Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills - Mary Soames, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1999 Edited by their daughter Mary Soames, this book contains the letters exchanged between the Churchills in their 57 years together. Reveals what a beautiful freindship and partnership these two had.
Winston Churchill and the Dardanelles - Trumbull Higgins, Macmillan 1963 Subtitled 'A Dialogue in Ends and Means' it's a first overall look at Churchill's and the government's involvement in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.
Winston Churchill, A Pictorial History of - Nigel Blundell, JG Press 1996 Small ovesize book with some nice WSC pictures. The text leaves a little to be desired, from his father dieing from a venereal disease (he didn't) to his brother Jack not being his brother (he was).
Winston Churchill: An Informal Study in Greatness - Robert Lewis Taylor, Doubleday & Company 1952 """The last of the great statesmen...""."
Winston Churchill - Elizabeth Longford, Rand McNally & Co 1974 A Pictorial Life Story. Very nice oversized book with great text and lots of pictures. Authorized by the Winston Churchill Foundation.
Winston S. Churchill - A Life Triumphant - Various , American Heritage 1965 Published by American Heritage and UPI, this commerative edition was put out after WSC's death in 1965. General overviews of his life with many good pictures. Foreward by DDE.
Winston S. Churchill - A Photographic Portrait - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1988 A complete photographic portrait of WSC, from birth to death, including political cartoons. All pictures are heavily captioned, with various insights into WSC's life included.
Winston S. Churchill - The Last Lion, Vol 1,Visions of Glory 1874-1932 - William Manchester, Little, Brown & Co. 1983 One of my favorites. A favorable view of WSC's early life. Good overview of Victorian culture that shows it's influence on him. Churchill as soldier, newspaper correspondent, writer, statesman. Highly recommended.
Winston S. Churchill - The Last Lion, Vol 2, Alone 1932-1940 - William Manchester, Little, Brown & Co. 1988 Manchester's second volume in a 3 volume biography of WSC. Covers WSC's entry into the political wilderness, his fight against Indian independence, and his warnings on Hitler.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 1, Youth, 1874-1900 (BCE) - Randolph Churchill, BMC 1966 Book Club Edition.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 1, Youth, 1874-1900 (BCE) - Randolph Churchill, BMC 1966 Book Club Edition. A fine reading copy.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 1, Youth, 1874-1900 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1966 The official biography of WSC, by his son Randolph.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 1, Youth, Companion Part 1 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1967 Companion Volume 1, Part1, to the official biography of WSC by his son Randolph. The companion volumes contain the source documents (letters, memos, telegrams, etc.) used to write the biography volumes. Covers the years 1874-1895.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 1, Youth, Companion Part 2 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1967 Covers the years 1895-1900.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 2, Young Statesman, 1901-1914 (BCE) - Randolph Churchill, BMC 1967 Book Club Edition. A fine reading copy.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 2, Young Statesman, 1901-1914 (BCE) - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1967 Book Club Edition.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 2, Young Statesman, 1901-1914 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1967 The official biography of WSC, by his son Randolph.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 2, Young Statesman, Companion Part 1 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1969 Covers the years 1901-1907.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 2, Young Statesman, Companion Part 2 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1969 Covers the years 1907-1911.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 2, Young Statesman, Companion Part 3 - Randolph Churchill, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1969 Covers the years 1911-1914.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 3, The Challenge of War, 1914-1916, (BCE 1) - Martin Gilbert, BMC 1971 Book Club Edition. A fine reading copy.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 3, The Challenge of War, 1914-1916, (BCE 2) - Martin Gilbert, BMC 1971 Book Club Edition.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 3, The Challenge of War, 1914-1916 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1971 Volume 3 of the 8 volume biography of WSC, starting at the Admiralty at the beginning of WW1.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 3, The Challenge of War, Companion Part 1 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1973 Covers the period July 1914 - April 1915.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 3, The Challenge of War, Companion Part 2 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1973 Covers the period May 1915 - December 1916.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 4, The Stricken World, 1916-1922 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1975 Volume 4 of the 8 volume official biography of WSC. He returns to a government post as Minister of Munitions. The end of WW1, the Russian Civil War, the Cairo conference, the Chanak crisis.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 4, The Stricken World, Companion Part 2 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1977 Covers the period July 1919 through March 1921.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 5, The Prophet of Truth, 1922-1939 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1977 Covers the years 1922-1939.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 6, Finest Hour, 1939-1941 - Martin Gilbert, Heinemann: London 1983 The most important volume of the 8 volume Official Biography. "Winstons Back!" So the cry went out to the Royal Navy when Churchill is appointed First Lord at the beginning of World War II. After France falls, he becomes Prime Minister.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 6, Finest Hour, Companion Part 1 - Martin Gilbert, W.W. Norton & Co. 1993 Covers the period Sept 1939 to May 1940.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 6, Finest Hour, Companion Part 2 - Martin Gilbert, W.W. Norton & Co. 1995 Covers the period May 1940 to December 1940.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 6, Finest Hour, Companion Part 3 - Martin Gilbert, W.W. Norton & Co. 1995 Covers the year 1941.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 7, Road To War, 1941-1945 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1986 WSC from Pearl Harbor to VE Day.
Winston S. Churchill - Vol 8, Never Despair, 1945-1965 - Martin Gilbert, Houghton Mifflin Co. 1988 The last volume of the 8 volume official biography of WSC, it covers his last 20 years as the premier statesman of Great Britain, if not the world.
Winston S. Churchill - War Speeches, 1939-1945 Volume 1 - Winston Churchill, Easton Press 2001 Pontifications from the master, 1939-1945. Eloquent, forceful, full of hope, gracing the English speaking peoples. 3 volumes, leather bound.
Winston S. Churchill - War Speeches, 1939-1945 Volume 2 - Winston Churchill, Easton Press 2001 Pontifications from the master, 1939-1945. Eloquent, forceful, full of hope, gracing the English speaking peoples. 3 volumes, leather bound.
Winston S. Churchill - War Speeches, 1939-1945 Volume 3 - Winston Churchill, Easton Press 2001 Pontifications from the master, 1939-1945. Eloquent, forceful, full of hope, gracing the English speaking peoples. 3 volumes, leather bound.
World Crisis, The - Winston Churchill, Scribners 1992 An abridged version of his 4-volume history of the First World War. Chapter 1 is brilliant, all other chapters justify his actions in the war in great detail. Most interesting. Highly recommended.
bibliophilist@myway.com