A Very Good Graphic Treatment of Churchill’s Life

Originally published in 2018 by France’s Éditions Glénat, although done in graphic format, this is a surprisingly good treatment of Churchill’s life.

The art work, well done, helps carry the narrative, at times much of which is quoted directly from Churchill’s speeches or writings. This helps convey the drama of the events quite well. The author doesn’t hold back about some of Churchill’s idiosyncrasies, cigar smoking, drinking, receiving visitors in the bath, even his piddling in the Rhine, and so forth, nor does it pass over the horrors of war.

The book’s coverage is generally good, though following a good look at Churchill’s early life, the primary focus is on the world wars. His service as First Lord of the Admiralty during World War I, including Gallipoli and his stint in the trenches, is well covers. Britain’s role in World War II, which certainly was his “finest hour” is also well done. But the book has some gaps, some of lesser importance than others. Churchill’s service as a war correspondent in Cuba is omitted, which is unfortunate, as the episode tells much about his character. His escapades at Antwerp in October of 1914, and his role in the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War are also omitted, as is virtually the entire 1920s, Britain’s war against Japan, and, surprisingly, everything after V-E Day, not to mention his prodigious literary output. The also tends to leave out his less than enlightened views on some peoples.

Churchill: A Graphic Biography is of great value for introducing young adults to the man, but older readers, even those well versed in Churchill’s life, will likely find it interesting.

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Note: Churchill: A Graphic Biography is also available in several e-editions.

StrategyPage reviews are published in cooperation with The New York Military Affairs Symposium