Synopsis of 'Falling to Pieces: Self deception and the divided mind.'
More than 40 years after his death, the public fascination with Winston Churchill shows no signs of abating. There has been a proliferation of books, programmes, stories and films on the war leader, guaranteeing controversy and interest in equal measure. He is, according to public thinking and a recent series, the Greatest Briton of all time, no mean feat when one considers that his rivals included Shakespeare, Darwin, Newton and Elizabeth I. Without doubt, he remains the only truly iconic British statesman of the twentieth century, with his thundering oratory and resonant voice making him instantly recognizable. In many ways, this is precisely what Churchill expected. He was, after all, a man who cared deeply about his reputation and his place in history, and who once famously quipped that history would be kind to him because he intended to write it.
But non Churchillians have also been writing history and Churchill’s reputation has come under attack. While, for many, he is the quintessential English hero and a revered icon of freedom and stoicism, he is, for others, a dangerous egotistical reactionary with no sense of political conviction. For his detractors, the real Churchill combines a haughty disdain for the working classes with a warmonger’s appetite for foreign conflict. Revisionist historians, ever keen to debunk the Churchill legend, argue that he ordered the shooting of strikers while constantly seeking personal glory in war. For some, this is no better than misguided heresy from the ill informed. But historical revisionism is always useful, not because it changes our views necessarily but because it allows shades of grey and nuance to modify them.
The aim of this book is to critically examine some of the more controversial episodes in Churchill’s life as well as his political philosophy. The book adopts a balanced approach that recognizes Churchill’s faults and virtues, his great achievements as well as his significant mistakes. To do this, I have examined a range of primary sources, including Churchill’s speeches, letters, essays and memoranda, as well as some of the vast and burgeoning secondary literature. Among the important questions raised in the book are the following:
- What was his attitude to strikers in the period to 1914?
- Did Churchill try and prevent World War 1?
- Was Churchill responsible for the Gallipoli disaster?
- What was Churchill’s real attitude to the General Strike?
- Why did Churchill object to the Munich settlement?
- Was Churchill a supporter of Mussolini in the 1930s?
- Did Churchill betray the French in 1940?
- What was Churchill’s response to the Holocaust?
- Did Churchill help to cover up knowledge of Pearl Harbour?
- Did Churchill favour a United Europe?
- How did Churchill try to end the Cold War?
- Was Churchill a democrat?
- Was Churchill a racist?
The book consists in a series of essay style answers which isolate the various controversies in Churchill’s life, a format that allows the reader to explore specific questions without consulting a detailed tome. The introduction assesses the extent of Churchill’s relevance for the modern world, in light of the events of September 11th and the ongoing war on terror. In many ways, Churchill remains intensely relevant for today’s political leaders.
The book is designed for a wide market. It will certainly be useful to any Advanced level or 1st year undergraduate student covering most aspects of twenty century British history or politics. It will also appeal to a much wider audience who continue to be fascinated by the legacy of this towering political colossus.
This book will not be available until the summer of 2007.
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