Best Little Stories from the Life and Times of Winston Churchill

C. Brian Kelly
Cumberland House (2008)
ISBN 9781581826340
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (11/08)

 

Growing up in America, the great British statesman, Winston Churchill, marginally entered my historical frame of reference. Therefore I was delighted to pick up C. Brian Kelly’s 420-page book, “Best Little Stories from the Life and Times of Winston Churchill.” This large, but economically priced biography, charts the life of Winston Churchill in a very readable fashion that will be agreeable for everyone, whether young teenagers to more senior readers.

The feistiness of Churchill comes through on every page, from childhood to the end. Here was a man who overcame numerous obstacles - physical and familial - to become one of the greatest statesmen in the 20th century, and Kelly adroitly brings it all out. There abounds seriousness and humor, as well as thoughtfulness.

One of the advantageous aspects of “Best Little Stories from the Life and Times of Winston Churchill” is the way Kelly has formatted the book. Each historical episode is crafted in such a way as to stand alone, and yet every piece builds off of the previous one. Why this is so helpful is that the busy reader can effortlessly pick up the book, read a short section, garner the point, and then put the book down to rush off wherever they must go. Then the reader can come back later, pick up the book and read the next section without much frustration or work. But it will also become quickly obvious that the author has not sacrificed substance for shape.

Finally, there are some little extras which add to the value of “Best Little Stories from the Life and Times of Winston Churchill.” The final chapter of the book is about Churchill’s mother, Jeanette “Jennie” Jerome Churchill, written by Ingrid Smyer. Next there are some of Churchill’s most famous statements. And lastly there is a thorough index for the more academic reader. Overall, this is a valuable, pleasurable, well-crafted work which I highly recommend.

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