Articles

None of the leading Churchill misquotes seems to be famous in German. In our language, the best known one is the supposed quip when Churchill was asked for his recipe for a long life: “First of all: no sports!” Another attributed to Churchill is “I believe only such statistics that I have forged myself.”

Halifax “sounded like a nervous solicitor reading from a half-thought-out brief. . . . When Churchill spoke of fighting on alone, the mantle of history—Agincourt, Waterloo, Trafalgar, the Armada—sang through his sentences.”

The latest book about a tall tale which refused to die, Franzinelli’s book seems endless—but it is welcome nevertheless. Unlike almost every other book on the mythical correspondence between Churchill and Mussolini, this one delivers the truth, fastidiously revealing the story of a blatant hoax.

You might describe this grossly overpriced self-published work as an under-the-coffee table book: no bulk, little content, likely to dive quickly from the tabletop to the bottom shelf.

Sonia Purnell's new book on Clementine Churchill is replete with well established facts masquerading as fresh material, unsubstantiated allegations, and historical inaccuracies. Perhaps the best response to this book is Sir Martin Gilbert's oft repeated remark in the face of dubious information, "Perhaps not!"

When it mattered most, Churchill became “the living symbol of their will to survive as a free people.” Read how Churchill's best known speech rallied the British resistance and bolstered their confidence in him.

Ever since the producers of “The Wilderness Years” television documentary (1982) took liberties by suggesting that Wigram was a suicide, it has been broadly accepted as fact. Indeed recently another myth was layered on to this one: that Wigram’s parents didn’t attend his funeral in Sussex because suicide was proscribed by the Church.

The study of Winston Churchill can reveal important lessons that remain powerfully relevant for the leaders and citizens of free societies. This notion is itself founded on the belief that though the threats to civilization may have altered since Churchill’s day, there is consistency between his challenges and ours—that he is a good guide to follow in the cause of defending freedom. Such a belief must lie behind any conception of history as providing guidance. If these commonalities do not exist, neither Churchill’s story, nor history in general, have anything to say to us now.

Defying the notion that Winston Churchill has little to say to us today, over 500 registrants and 200 students attended a Hillsdale College seminar on the celebrated statesman sponsored by Hillsdale’s Center for Constructive Alternatives and Churchill Project for the Study of Statesmanship. Numerous participants who have dedicated their lives to Winston Churchill offered erudite remarks at the event, including Minnie Churchill.

Along with numerous Churchill anniversaries—1915, 1940, 1945, 1965—2015 marks the 600th anniversary of King Henry V’s remarkable victory at Agincourt (25 October 1415), which Winston Churchill described as “the most heroic of all the land battles England has ever fought.”

Ms. Carlson’s well chosen, finely printed, large format photos make for an absorbing book, well worth owning by anyone from casual browser to the expert.

Idealism is not enough. Universality is not a solution. There is the problem of power, and that is what this war is about. In arranging for a new world organisation we shall have to provide not only for freedom and democracy but also for leadership and power.