Churchill by Himself: The Definitive Collection of Quotations

by: Richard Langworth, Editor

Published by: Public Affairs Books

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

Every good home library needs a book of quotations, but most of us have those books that quote hundreds of different people rather than a book with thousands of quotes on hundreds of topics by a single man.

If there was one person worth filling a quotation book, who better than the great Winston Churchill? This prolific writer could fill libraries. Has, in fact. And his speeches were remarkable. He had a commanding use of language and the ability to wordsmith it into something powerful. He coined phrases that we still use in everyday language.

In Churchill By Himself, editor Richard Langworth has sifted the prolific words of Winston Churchill and presented them in nugget form. With sections of quotations on varying topics and points in history besides the obvious (Britain and World War II to this Gen Xer), readers can know what Churchill thought about almost everything. You get a taste of what he said or wrote about people, religion, sports, any number of countries, the Cold War and just about anything else even semi-related to humanity. You can read evidence of his amazing prescience (and a very few areas where he was wrong). There is an entire chapter dedicated to the common false attributions of words to Churchill—my husband’s favorite.

The book does a great job of separating the quotes into the major themes of Churchill’s life. Each chapter begins with an applicable quote, a photo and a short commentary and then, within the major themes, the words of Churchill are further segregated into refined categories.

This is a book for Churchill enthusiasts, but especially for those of us who have no intention of ever tackling his multi volumes of writings.

Armchair Interviews says: Churchill’s inspirational words are well worth the read.