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The Churchill Factor

How One Man Made History

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The Churchill Factor

By: Boris Johnson
Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
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About this listen

 THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER, BY THE AUTHOR OF UNLEASHED

'A stunning tour de force' - Sunday Telegraph
'Genuinely clever... this book sizzles.' - The Times

Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes on Winston Churchill - a biography like no other.

Brexit, pandemic, economic crisis: Boris Johnson's leadership was an extraordinary period in recent British history, and his inspiration has always been Winston Churchill.

In this book, he explores what makes up the 'Churchill Factor' - the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays - with characteristic wit and passion - a man of multiple contradictions, contagious bravery, breath-taking 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 embraced large-scale strategic bombing, yet hated the destruction of war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was a celebrated journalist, a great orator and won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was famous for his ability to combine wining and dining with many late nights of crucial wartime decision-making. His open-mindedness made him a pioneer in healthcare, education and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect.

Published in association with Churchill Heritage, The Churchill Factor is essential reading for anyone who wants to know what makes a great leader in a time of crisis.©2014 Boris Johnson, Published in association with Churchill Heritage Ltd. Historical Leadership Management & Leadership Politicians Politics & Activism World Winston Churchill War United Kingdom Imperialism Royalty Africa

Critic Reviews

The must-read biography of the year.
An engagingly written romp through the elder statesman's greatest achievements.
Genuinely clever... this book sizzles.
Churchill's own energy - his indefatigable pursuit of excitement, glory, place and power - demands a writer of fizz and passion to do history justice. Johnson is that writer.
A bravura performance...Johnson has not only celebrated Churchill in this book: he has emulated him with comparable panache.
Riveting...Boris is a superb, accessible writer, with an easy, good-humoured touch.
A characteristically breathless romp through the life and times of our greatest wartime leader...high on entertainment as it is on providing an appraisal of the great man's achievements.
Splendidly enjoyable... It is rare to find a serious study of a politician that's this entertaining.
This is a rollicking tale of a political maverick.
All stars
Most relevant
Fantastic insight into the world of brilliant man.
Very well read, highly recommend to everyone.

Brilliant

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Johnson looks at a much underrated aspect of Churchill's capacities and character. His premonitionary foresight and dogged determination.

A stunning surprise.

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I have not previously read much on Churchill. Johnson's biography has great narrative passion while retaining a steady and clear argument. It is well researched and covers a great deal of I suspect undisputed fact, while being quite clear and partisan in its central premise: that Winston Churchill was a character almost unique in history and the only person who could have navigated Britain and the world at large to its post-WWII state.

Excellent exposition and enthusiastically read

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Very good explanation of the life and success of the great man. Interpretation of the events of history are so important. Very good book

History comes to life

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A good combination of history and character analysis. I expected more focus on leadership but it was a easy to listen to review of his process, courage, self belief and thinking.

Quite interesting.

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