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Rating:  Summary: Wow! I am honored to call him a fellow man... Review: Before I read this book, I knew Winston Churchill only as the great man who played a key role in saving Western civilization during WWII. What Mansfield's book unveils is his brutal, heartrending childhood and hideous treatment at the hands of his father, the physical frailties that plagued him his whole life, the multiple depressive episodes throughout his life, his struggle to overcome his speech deficiency (a lisp), his incredible escape from prison camp in South Africa, his getting rolled by a cab in NY City, etc. etc. etc. I challenge anyone to read this book and not conclude that God had a special plan for this man (and, by extension, for Him to have him grace the world with his incredible inner strength, convictions, and courage). Basically, Churchill had every reason to end up a loser, or at least a chronic underachiever, in life. That he didn't is testimony to, as the title states, his incredible character. This is an incredibly inspiring reading.
Rating:  Summary: For Leaders, not avid Historians Review: Churchill was an extraordinary character but this book does very little to increase our understanding of this statesman. The book is exhaustingly repetitive and is fatally flawed by the needlessly intrusive opinions of the authour. It is written in the style of someone who has little to say but wants to take all day to say it!The author's main premise is that Churchill's faith was at the centre of his greatness, this may or may not be true. At the end of the book I really didn't care. It has to be the worst book I've read this year, I would not recommend it.
Rating:  Summary: Outstanding Book Review: I found this book to be a superb look at the man and what made him succeed against all odds. This is an inspirational book and I enjoyed it so much that I have re-read it a second time. Not only is the book full of insightful and moving comments about Churchill but, it gives a deeper perspective on what made him the undaunting leader that he was. The book is short but wonderful. It does have a Christian perspective and I assume that this is why some readers are putting it down. Nevertheless, Churchill's faith was an important part of his life and ultimately why he sensed his destiny. I love this book.
Rating:  Summary: For Leaders, not avid Historians Review: In reading the reviews under this section, I find that a reader either loves this book or hates it - there is very little middle ground. I believe those who discount this book are looking for an objective work on the history of Churchill. While this is a very fascinating subject, the market is saturated with such works, so if that is what you are looking for, go elsewhere... Those who love the book don't seem to place such emphasis on its historical precision; rather on the value of the information as it pertains to their own lives and leadership styles. I found this book to contain many great nuggets of wisdom and my highlighter saw much action as I poured through the pages. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their leadership qualities. If you are looking for a historical masterpiece, this isn't it nor did the author intend it to be...
Rating:  Summary: Could the last review possibly be the author? Review: The last review is title "the best book I've read" - could this possibly be the author himself or at least a relative? Evidence 1) From Nashville TN, which as another read points out is where the author is from. 2) "Best book I've read" is a little too strong even if you did like it. I mean its not exactly Catch 22 or Hamlet. 3) The author advises people to read "other books by Mansfield". 4) Knows a few too many facts about prizes "Amway book of the month" - wow what a recommendation. Amway, not exactly Nobel Prize in Literature (which actually Churchill won, so I think there are is a least one book on Churchill that is better written i.e. anything by the man himself). Anyway, onto the review itself. I am an avid Churchill fan and have read almost everything on the man - I was therefore initially pleased to see an potentially interesting book on his leadership style. Unfortunately this is the first book in my entire life I have actually thrown in the garbage. It was that bad. Forget about the authors "intrusive voice" as one other reviewer puts it (quite rightly) - it is just poorly written and poorly researched. I urge you to read almost any other book on the great man apart from this.
Rating:  Summary: Authors agenda makes the book almost worthless Review: This book can be divided into two main parts. The first half is comprised of short summaries of key events in Winston Churchill's life and political career. These include his adventures during the British/Boer war of South Africa to his more famous role as head of England during WWII. The second half of the book is a group of short (most being 4 pages long) stories and descriptions of Churchill's perspectives on elements of human life and character. These chapters have titles such as: the Bible, family, loyalty, marriage, death, etc. For an in-depth biography of this amazing leader, you will need to find another book. But for a short, interesting background on the mind and beliefs of Winston Churchill, this is the perfect buy.
Rating:  Summary: A concise look at a great man's character Review: This book can be divided into two main parts. The first half is comprised of short summaries of key events in Winston Churchill's life and political career. These include his adventures during the British/Boer war of South Africa to his more famous role as head of England during WWII. The second half of the book is a group of short (most being 4 pages long) stories and descriptions of Churchill's perspectives on elements of human life and character. These chapters have titles such as: the Bible, family, loyalty, marriage, death, etc. For an in-depth biography of this amazing leader, you will need to find another book. But for a short, interesting background on the mind and beliefs of Winston Churchill, this is the perfect buy.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent Review: This excellent book gives a fascinating insight into the embodiment of British "Bulldog Spirit". Take Churchill in May 1940 - appointed Prime Minister only weeks before, with France about to be overrun by a massive armoured thrust from Germany, the British Expeditionary Force desperately fighting to avoid being cut-off, and the risk of an aerial and naval onslaught on Britain a very real one, he faced a divided Cabinet. He rallied his supporters and opponents in the cabinet by initiating a top-secret cabinet "Fight Club" where he and fellow politicians bonded in the course of gruelling fist fights in an underground Whitehall gymnasium. Resolve and spirit was inculcated into the War Cabinet during these encounters - the message being "no surrender". A vivid picture of Britain's finest statesman emerges: despite his age and lack of robust health Churchill impressed his colleagues, not least in a bloody bout with a physically stronger Neville Chamberlain. Churchill was battered and bruised when the former Tory Prime Minister ferociously laid into him, goaded on by Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax. But with Chamberlain poised to knock him out, Churchill spoke - "There will be no parley or surrender. This will end only when I am lying choking on my own blood on the ground." Some say that was the moment when the war was won.
Rating:  Summary: inspirational Review: This is a wonderful small book that describles how a man could overcome overwhelming difficulty and oppositions with a firm belief and an exemptional moral courage. In this book you will find Churchill was a fallible, ordinary man who mistakes, but yet achieved extraordinary things despite his limitations. The development of his life shows us how a weak, self-doubted, shy boy to become a strong, energetic, effective leader with nothing but a deep inside guidance to do good. Never give in is the main theme of this book and each chapter reinforces the theme. This is not a "self-help" book that usually tells you how to feel good about yourself. This is a book on character development that takes duty, pain, responsibilities, and more importantly, a deep inside moral guidance. These concepts are quite foreign nowsday and that's what it makes this small standing out.
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