This collection of Churchill's letters explores his thoughts and opinions on the political and military situation in Europe from 1936-1939, during the leadup to World War II.
Winston Churchill (1874–1965) was a British statesman, army officer, and writer. Born in Oxford in 1874 to an aristocratic family though not well-to-do, he attended boarding school as was the norm for children of his class at the time. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the army at the age of 21. He participated in the Boer War and was captured and made a prisoner of war. His escape from prison and his journey to freedom are well chronicled in print and movies and gained him much publicity in Britain. After his stint in the army he was elected as a Member of Parliament and he stayed in this role for much of his life. He served as First Lord of the Admiralty during World War I and he became Prime Minister of England in 1940. He led England through some of the darkest periods of the Second World War and his acumen and statesmanship were a critical part of his country's eventual victory in 1945. He continued to serve Britain for the rest of his life and when he died in 1965 he was given a state funeral, a ceremony normally reserved for royalty. Churchill's role in 20th century life and politics will continue to resonate for many years to come as one of the great men in the history of England.
