Sir Winston S. Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Over a 64-year span, Churchill published over 40 books, many multi-volume definitive accounts of historical events to which he was a witness and participant. All are beautifully written and as accessible and relevant today as when first published.
During his fifty-year political career, Churchill served twice as Prime Minister in addition to other prominent positions—including President of the Board of Trade, First Lord of the Admiralty, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Home Secretary. In the 1930s, Churchill was one of the first to recognize the danger of the rising Nazi power in Germany and to campaign for rearmament in Britain. His leadership and inspired broadcasts and speeches during World War II helped strengthen British resistance to Adolf Hitler—and played an important part in the Allies’ eventual triumph.
One of the most inspiring wartime leaders of modern history, Churchill was also an orator, a historian, a journalist, and an artist. All of these aspects of Churchill are fully represented in this collection of his works.
Winston Churchill is renowned as a brilliant Conservative politician and statesman--but he wasn't always a Conservative. In 1904, he crossed over to join the Liberal party--becoming Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Liberals took office, and later joining the Liberal Cabinet.
This collection of speeches documents Churchill's dramatic shift toward a more progressive governing philosophy. They contain his thoughts on some of the most important issues of the time, including the "People's Budget," a highly controversial new wealth distribution initiative. It led to the House of Lords' first attempt in two hundred years to challenge the power of the House of Commons, and ultimately to the Parliament Act of 1911, asserting the House of Commons' legislative powers.
This compilation is fascinating not only for its historical context, but for the keen political insight and strategy of one of the twentieth century's greatest political leaders.
Sir Winston Churchill crossed the political divide to join the Liberal Party in 1904. Conservatives saw him as a traitor to his former political party; liberals, as a strong champion for progressive views.
The People's Rights was originally published in 1909, as part of Winston Churchill's campaign efforts in response to the House of Lords' rejection of the Liberal budget. It contains several impassioned speeches delivered by Churchill during a nine-day campaign period offering scathing criticism of the House of Lords' decision and supporting causes such as free trade and liberal tax positions. Ultimately, Churchill's efforts would contribute to a Liberal majority and successful budget passage.
In the 1930s, well before Britain entered the War, Winston Churchill warned about the Nazi threat building in the east--even as many European leaders were urging caution and diplomacy. Arms and the Covenant is a collection of forty-one of Churchill's speeches from 1928 to 1938--speeches that would prove highly prescient, and ultimately successful in inspiring Britain's action as the first country to stand against Hitler.
The speeches range in tone from weighty solemnity to an almost lighthearted approach. Notable among these speeches is "The Disarmament Fable," in which Churchill presents the case for disarmament in the guise of negotiations among animals as to who should be allowed to keep their horns, and who should be permitted teeth and claws.
This volume presents a fascinating look at Churchill's tactics in convincing the British government and public of the rising danger building in the east--and at his versatility and skill as one of the best orators of the twentieth century.
