Oblivion or Glory

1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill

By: David Stafford

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

This is an engaging and original account of 1921, a pivotal year for Winston Churchill that had a lasting impact on his political and personal legacy.

After the tragic consequences of his involvement in the catastrophic Dardanelles Campaign of World War I, Churchill’s political career seemed over. He was widely regarded as little more than a bombastic and unpredictable buccaneer until, in 1921, an unexpected inheritance heralded a series of events that laid the foundations for his future success.

Renowned Churchill scholar David Stafford delves into the statesman’s life in 1921, the year in which his political career revived. From his political negotiations in the Anglo-Irish treaty that created the Irish Free State to his tumultuous relationship with his “wild cousin” Clare Sheridan, sculptor of Lenin and subject of an MI5 investigation, this broad account explores the nuances of both Churchill’s private and public lives. This is an engaging portrait of this overlooked yet pivotal year in the great man’s life.

©2019 David Stafford (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Little known years

Oblivion or Glory, 1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill, by David Stafford (2019, audiobook 10 hrs 41 min). Possibly it’s simply just me, but I’m guessing many of us know Winston Churchill only by his WWII exploits, or possibly his much-publicized involvement as a war correspondent in the Boer War, or even a bit broader when remembering his role in the Dardanelles disaster of WWI. This book looks at Mr Churchill during a time when he began to recover from his WWI legacy and reestablish himself as a bonafide up and comer in British government. The time is 1921 when he experienced family tragedy, engaged in successful negotiations that created the Irish Free State, was an at times disruptive but not yet domineering element of the government. It’s a nice account if you’re interested in the story of a politician (and force of nature) whose journey to resounding success was anything but assured.

Wonderfully insightful in a new way

David Stafford focuses on a pivotal year for Churchill, pivotal in political achievements, the contemplated change of parties, in his personal finances, and in his personal life. Through it all, you learn much more of his family life, the wider circle of his siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as his mother. He begins his pursuit of painting with a marvellous passion, and sadly gives up polo. You also learn that people were beginning to see his true character, and could see his eventual rise to the top.

Great explanation if this great m Chirchill’s an

Interesting and clear review of one of the less well remembered periods in Churchill’s life.

I had forgotten much of what he achieved in this time. Amazing.

Whirlwind year in a whirlwind life.

A compelling look at a pivotal (non-war) year of Churchill's life.

Churchill's life was extraordinary by any measure but primarily due to his time as England's Prime Minister during WWII. Stafford's 2019 "Oblivion or Glory" has a unique premise of looking at a single year in Winston Churchill's life: 1921. As the past is prologue, Stafford makes the case that the Churchill of 1939-45 could not have existed without the Churchill of 1921. In this fairly short mini-biopgraphy, Churchill comes into a major inheritance, helps negotiate the treaty that lead to the Irish Free State, found himself ensconced in Arab/Jewish political wrangling as the Balfour Declaration worked its way through to being accepted by the League of Nations, and played a role in the selection of Faisal (of T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) fame) being chosen as the first King of Iraq.

The man had a busy schedule, to say the least. Despite this, Stafford does a wonderful job of helping the reader examine the moments in between these bigger we look at Churchill's private life, including his search for a home and his embrace of painting as a pastime. The narrative never falters, and even the most pedestrian moments in Churchill's 1921 remain interesting in Stafford's hands.

A brief and engaging whirlwind look at a single year of a whirlwind life.

very nice addition to Churchill library

A fascinating look at an eventful and meaningful year in the life of Churchill and in the history of England. Well worth a listen or a read, especially for those who, like me, already have read extensively about Churchill. It goes into more detail than many other books without ever being dull. Lots about his painting, letters from Clementine, his time as Colonial Secretary, and other subjects that don't always get a lot of attention.

Fascinating - One Year in the Life of Winston Churchill

A thorough explanation of just one year in the extraordinary life of a man who shaped a century of world events. Mr Stanford weaves great detail and insights to further my understanding of WC. What was overcome and how WC experiences from Gallipoli, PostVersaillesTreaty-Middle East, Russian Revolution, Irish Home Rule, along with many the robust Family/Friend relationships made for the right man at the right time some twenty years later (1940) and if only - a hundred years later (2021) What a year it was and what an enjoyable work of non-fiction. A must for devotees of Winston Churchill.

interesting

this is a well written and well read introduction to who the man was and what formed him prior to becoming a war time leader.

Insightful look at a middle aged Winston Churchill

Reading performance is very good, plot is thorough and easygoing though taited at times with certain social resentment towards British aristocratic upbringing.

This is the most disappointing book I have ever read.

It's padded with gossip and trivia (Do you care what the king and queen wore to the polo match? ) and makes no effort to put significant events in context beyond the moment in which they occurred.