Author(s): Candice Millard

Non-Fiction | Biographies & Memoirs

 'Thrilling, tremendously enjoyable' The New York Times 'A nail-biting escape story' Financial Times At the age of twenty-four, Winston Churchill already believed he was destined for greatness. This is the incredible story of how one incredible year in Churchill's life - an adventure involving war in South Africa, imprisonment, endurance and escape - would be the making of one of the most extraordinary men in history. 'Few can match the originality and narrative power of Candice Millard's elegantly written and surprisingly revealing account of the young Churchill's exploits' Saul David, Daily Telegraph 'A thrilling account ...This book is an awesome nail-biter and top-notch character study rolled into one' Jennifer Senior, The New York Times, Books of the Year Gripping ...thrilling ...Millard tells it with gusto ...casts an interestingly oblique light on Churchill's personality, and on a traumatic war' Lucy Hughes-Hallett, Observer, Books of the Year 'Completely engrossing' Andrew Roberts

This is the story of the young Winston Churchill, in particular his time spent during the Boer War. What I found most interesting in this book was the attitude to war that was held by these young aristocrats of the late 19th century. As a young man, Winston was fascinated by war. He could not get enough of it. He travelled the world, looking for glory in the places where the British Empire came into conflict. While in India, he deliberately acquired a white horse so that he could be seen in battle. Still in his 20s, and already battle hardened, Winston found his way to South Africa in 1899 as a War Correspondent. It wasn't long before he found his way to the front line. However, during a skirmish on an armoured train, he was captured, along with a lot of other men and taken as a prisoner of war to Pretoria, the Boer capital. This was the worst thing that could happen to the restless young Englishman so there was no other choice than to escape.
From here on it is a 'boys own' story of perilously jumping the wire and heading east towards neutral Portuguese East Africa, jumping trains at night and hiding in rat infested mines. Winston arrived back in England as a hero, which propelled him into the world of politics and the rest is history. I found this a fascinating insight into the beginnings of this man who so dominated early 20th century politics. It made me realise what a different world he began his life in. So different that it seems amazing that our lives actually overlapped. Peter