The Churchill Factor

How One Man Changed History

By: Boris Johnson

Narrated by: Simon Shepherd

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

From London's inimitable mayor, Boris Johnson, the story of how Churchill's eccentric genius shaped not only his world but our own.

On the 50th anniversary of Churchill's death, Boris Johnson celebrates the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the 20th century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays - with characteristic wit and passion - a man of contagious bravery, breathtaking eloquence, matchless strategizing, and deep humanity.

Fearless on the battlefield, Churchill had to be ordered by the king to stay out of action on D-Day; he pioneered aerial bombing and few could match his experience in organizing violence on a colossal scale, yet he hated war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was the most famous journalist of his time and perhaps the greatest orator of all time, despite a lisp and chronic depression he kept at bay by painting. His maneuvering positioned America for entry into World War II, even as it ushered in England's post-war decline. His open-mindedness made him a trailblazer in health care, education, and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect. Most of all, he was a rebuttal to the idea that history is the story of vast and impersonal forces; he is proof that one person - intrepid, ingenious, determined - can make all the difference.

©2014 Boris Johnson (P)2014 Penguin Audio

The world that I inherited

A great insight into the life of a man who shaped the world for freedom and democracy to which I am an heir.

A must read for anyone but especially students

This was the best Churchill Bio I have ever read or listened to. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Wonderful accounting of a great man

This was well researched and gave a full picture of the life of a man who singled handedly changed history

The Irreplaceable Man

I have read three biographies of Winston Churchill, one of them (by William Manchester) was itself three volumes, so I was not sure there was much about his life that was there to be learned and had some hesitation about buying this book. But Boris Johnson, who is himself an interesting politician with an even more interesting background, has written a book which is not a biography but a book about what made Churchill capable of being the one man who saved Western Civilization from the horrors of Nazi Germany. Thus Mr Johnson looks at the things that made Churchill who he was and how those characteristics contributed to the one person who was essential at a truly pivotal moment.

But Mr Johnson has created a canvas of more than just World War II and looked at Churchill’s contributions in The Boer War, World War I, World War II and the period leading up to the start of the European Union and shown how, at each point, Churchill’s contributions were essential to Britain’s victories or were ignored by those in power resulting in decisions that left Britain far worse off than it could have been. Indeed, while Churchill and World War II are at the core of how people remember Churchill Mr Johnson spends a great deal of time covering Churchill’s work on behalf of the working poor in the UK, his efforts to improve the living conditions of the poor throughout the British Empire, his efforts to secure a united and peaceful Europe after the war and much, more more. As part of this we are treated to many stories and anecdotes, both true and false, about Churchill’s life, we look at what helped make him the person he became and how the world we are living in today is largely his legacy. The book is amusing at times, sorrowful at others but always interesting.

The book is not an academic approach but is clearly a work of admiration for a truly great man and Mr Johnson makes the case that there was no one else who could have taken Churchill’s place, at least during World War II, and that had he not been who he was the world we live in today would be very, very different. The book is narrated by Simon Shepherd who does a very good job. Highly recommended for those with an interest in recent British history.

Suberb!

A superb and often funny story which is beautifully narrated. It couldn't be better, a must read for all Churchill admirers.

Awesome book about an awesome human being

Well written, funny, and well researched, this book is a fitting narrative of Winston Churchill. He was amazing and as Johnston stated, there was no one and never will be anyone that did as much for mankind. He was the right person at the right time to save us all. Just...amazing.

One of the best history books ever

A lot of history books just like to recite facts. But this book not only talks about what happened but also talks about why it happened. The why is the most important thing of any sort of history book.

A wonderful telling of a wonderful child. A child forever

Boris Johnson couldn't have read this admiral history of a great man any better. A bright tale of the greatest idiosyncratic statesman ever

Wow!

A rousing good story of a truly awe inspiring man.
I listened to it at night with my 16 year old son who loves WW2 history.
We enjoyed it.

One of kind

This is need at this time. Reminds of what is possible. Worth the time it took to read Thankful yours