Review: The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965 by William Manchester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Knowing this third and final book in the trilogy of The Last Lion, I started off thinking the feel was very different, and  it seemed like it wouldn't fit in well with the other two books. I'm convinced at least half of this was my preconception. The fact is, however, that even if it does have a slightly different "feel", it still fits in nicely. 

In essence this book covers world war II, which covered Churchill's life during those years, so it is apt. It does feel a bit rushed after that (and certainly on the fate of his children after his death), but that doesn't necessarily detract from the substance of the book. 

It is truly remarkable how monumental Winston Churchill was during the war, and to think how different the outcome would have been had someone else been in charge. The outcome for Great Britain was the end of its empire and its country's economy shattered, and yet it would have been so much worse with pretty much anyone else at the helm. 

TL;DR: 5 stars. 

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Review: The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-40

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-40 by William Manchester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It never fails to amaze me how far the appeasement policy went during WWII. Hitler was able to take over the Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland, and the rest of Czechoslovakia before even meeting resistance. It was only going into Poland that he actually had to battle, and even then Chamberlain wanted to sign a deal with him. 

So this book is riveting, not just for what Churchill did, but for everything going on in Europe at the time. I can’t wait to read the 3rd volume. 

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Review: The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Visions of Glory, 1874-1932

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Visions of Glory, 1874-1932 by William Manchester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's amazing how much information we have about Churchill. Much of this biography is day-by-day and even minute-by-minute details of conversations, decisions, etc. Regardless, a very interesting book. I look forward to reading the other two. 

And honestly my favorite part may have been reading about his retorts and one-liners. 

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