NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One of The Wall Street Journal’s Ten Best Books of 2018 One of The Economist’s Best Books of 2018 One of The New York Times’s Notable Books of 2018 “Unarguably the best single-volume biography of Churchill . . . A brilliant feat of storytelling, monumental in scope, yet put together with tenderness for a man who had always believed that he would be Britain’s savior.” —Wall Street Journal
‘The temptation to tell a chief in a great position the things he most likes to hear is one of the commonest explanations of mistaken policy,’ he later wrote in “The World Crisis;” ‘the outlook of the leader on whose decisions fateful events depend on is usually far more sanguine than the brutal facts admit.’
A Titan with Feet of Clay: A Critical Look at Churchill: Walking with Destiny
Andrew Roberts’ Churchill: Walking with Destiny arrives with the weight of expectation, a sprawling biography promising a fresh perspective on one of history’s most iconic figures. While Roberts’ meticulous research and undeniable flair for narrative create a compelling portrait, the book ultimately falls short of its grand ambition, painting a largely uncritical and celebratory picture that glosses over significant flaws and complexities in Churchill’s character and career.
Roberts certainly succeeds in crafting a readable and engaging biography. He expertly weaves together Churchill’s personal life, political machinations, and military strategies, providing a detailed account of his rise and, ultimately, his role in leading Britain through World War II. The book is filled with fascinating anecdotes and insights, drawn from a wealth of archival material, paintbrushes, bottles of brandy and access to previously unexamined papers of King George. The author’s command of detail allows him to vividly recreate the political climate of the era, making the reader feel immersed in the debates and challenges that shaped Churchill’s decisions.
However, it’s precisely this celebratory tone that becomes the book’s greatest weakness. Roberts presents Churchill as a near-flawless hero, a visionary leader whose genius was consistently underestimated by his contemporaries. While acknowledging certain shortcomings, such as his disastrous Gallipoli campaign, these are often framed as unfortunate miscalculations rather than fundamental flaws in judgment or character. The book downplays the significant criticism Churchill faced throughout his career for his often-erratic behavior, his penchant for impulsive decisions, and his frequently insensitive and prejudiced views.
One glaring issue is the book’s handling of Churchill’s well-documented imperialist views. While acknowledging his deep-seated belief in the superiority of the British Empire, Roberts often presents this as a product of its time, minimizing the detrimental impact of these views on the lives of millions under British rule. The brutal suppression of colonial uprisings, the exploitation of resources, and the imposition of discriminatory policies are glossed over or justified with arguments of national interest and strategic necessity. This sanitization of Churchill’s imperial legacy feels particularly jarring in the 21st century, where a more nuanced and critical examination of empire is essential.
Furthermore, the book often lacks critical engagement with Churchill’s economic and social policies. His staunch opposition to the welfare state, his resistance to granting women the vote, and his often-conservative stance on social issues are downplayed or rationalized as pragmatic responses to specific circumstances. The book could have benefited from a deeper analysis of the consequences of these policies and their impact on different segments of British society.
While Roberts excels at detailing Churchill’s strategic brilliance during World War II, even here, the narrative is often overly deferential. The controversial bombing campaigns targeting German cities, which resulted in immense civilian casualties, are defended with arguments of military necessity, without fully acknowledging the ethical complexities and the devastating human cost.
In conclusion, Churchill: Walking with Destiny is undoubtedly a well-researched and engaging biography. However, its hagiographic approach ultimately undermines its credibility. By presenting a selectively favorable portrait of Churchill, Roberts fails to grapple with the complexities and contradictions that defined this towering figure. While the book may appeal to readers seeking a celebration of Churchill’s greatness, those seeking a more balanced and critical assessment will likely find it wanting. The true measure of a leader, especially one as complex as Churchill, lies in acknowledging both their strengths and their weaknesses, their triumphs and their failures. Walking with Destiny, unfortunately, chooses to focus almost exclusively on the former, leaving the reader with a portrait that feels incomplete and ultimately, unconvincing.