author : Michael Sheldon

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 24 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each 30 minute lecture, a few pictures, some suggested reading, and a few questions to think about. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

Historians nowadays are not that keen on the Great Man Theory. Sheldon, however, does argue convincingly that Winston Churchill did indeed have a defining effect on history. Until watching these lectures, my knowledge of Churchill was mostly restricted to having heard about his leadership during WWII, plus a few anecdotes about his earlier life, and memories of the pomp of his state funeral. Here, we get a more complete story, from his early days as a war hero, through his service in Parliament, his years in the wilderness, his wartime leadership, his literary achievements, up to his final years.

I also know he was quite old during WWII, but I hadn't realised exactly how old, and how long serving. He was born in 1874, so he was already 65 when he became Prime Minister in 1940. He was an MP during the reigns of both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. So there was a lot to talk about in these lectures, including how his experience put him in a great place to lead the country during the war.

Sheldon is clearly a bit of a fan of Churchill, but he still covers the mistakes and problems, as well as the triumphs. I learned a lot, and have a better appreciation of how close the UK came to buckling to the Nazi threat, and why Churchill deserves being called a 'Great Man', even if he didn't achieve all he wished.