Articles

Why does the United States honor Winston Churchill on April 9? Why not, for example, May 10? That was the day in 1940 when, with liberty in retreat, he became Britain’s prime minister, sure that he knew a good deal about it all, certain he would not fail, impatient for the morning. But April 9 has its own significance for Americans. That was the day, in 1963, when President Kennedy proclaimed Sir Winston an honorary citizen of the United States.

There are upon our journey dark and dangerous valleys through which we have to make and fight our way. But it is sure and certain that if we persevere - and we shall persevere - we shall come through these dark and dangerous valleys into a sunlight broader and more genial and more lasting than mankind has ever known.

Tonypandy, 1910: “Churchill sent troops to crush and kill Welsh strikers.” So goes the story. The truth is somewhat more complicated.

Is there confirmation that Churchill commanded the HMS King George V to attack the Bismarck without fuel for the return voyage—and was it a wise strategy?

William Courtenay achieved immortality with his films of living history. In the wake of recent events in Paris and Brussels, they are a timely reminder of MacArthur’s words: “In war, there is no substitute for victory.”

Read The Churchill Project's response to a question about Churchill's use of the phrases "soft underbelly" and "fortress Europe."

Randolph Churchill was an intensely interesting man. “Aside from his heroically dismal manners, his gambling, arrogance, vicious temper, indiscretions and aggression,” Andrew Roberts wrote, he “was generous, patriotic, extravagant and amazingly courageous.”

Lough’s basic text is an admirable piece of work which makes up for his questionable introduction attempting to link finances to politics. If one skips the introduction, the rest is a valuable addition to our knowledge.

Party rat? Churchill has long been criticized for switching political parties (“ratting” in Parliamentary terms), which he did not once but twice. He left the Conservatives (Tories) for the Liberals in 1904, only to rejoin the Conservatives in 1925. Was he right or wrong?

Veteran journalist Simon Read considers Churchill’s early career as a soldier and war correspondent a “true tale of adventure…Churchill as Indiana Jones” (ix). Young Winston’s experiences, Read says, enabled him to escape his father’s shadow, to earn repute, and to be judged by his accomplishments. They also informed Churchill’s complex views on warfare, and equipped him for the rough and tumble of parliamentary life. It was the crucible of his remarkable moral vision and courage in the great wars of the 20th century.

Lady Soames always reminded us never to ask the question, “What would Churchill do?” On specific tactics, we don’t know. Winston Churchill is not here to consider the options and make judgments. We are. We could do worse than to be guided by his philosophy.

Hal Klepak has provided a singular work of original research through his comprehensive research of archival and published literature in Spain and Cuba, revealing a far more complex account of young Winston’s Cuban interlude than any before published.