Advertisement
Books

Top 5 books about Winston Churchill, selected by historian David Reynolds

Generations of biographers have been attracted to Churchill. Historian and broadcaster David Reynolds is the latest – here’s his top five

From comprehensive biographies to introductions for children, historian and broadcaster David Reynolds selects five books about former prime minister Winston Churchill.

Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts

A huge but highly readable life by a master of heroic biography. Not uncritical, but depicting what others consider Churchill’s failures to be learning experiences that fortified him along destiny’s road.  

Churchill by Roy Jenkins 

Now two decades old and not a work of original research, but valuable because of the author’s own insights as a parliamentarian, a former chancellor and an accomplished author – not to mention their shared appreciation of food and drink. 

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

Churchill: The Unexpected Hero by Paul Addison

Ideal for those who want a fairly short introduction to this very big man, authored by a professional historian who had a deep knowledge and understanding of 20th-century British politics and society. 

First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill by Sonia Purnell

Clementine called Winston her “life’s work”. This vivid and moving book shows what it cost her (and her children), what she did for him and also what their marriage did for her.  

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

Winston Churchill by Katie Daynes 

This very short introduction – from the Usborne Famous Lives series for those aged nine to 13 – is a good place to start for budding Churchllians. 

David Reynolds is a historian and broadcaster.

Mirrors of Greatness book cover

Mirrors of Greatness: Churchill And The Leaders Who Shaped Him by David Reynolds is out on 12 October (Harper Collins, £25).

You can buy or pre-order these titles from The Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support The Big Issue and independent bookshops.

This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income

To support our work buy a copy! If you cannot reach your local vendor, you can still click HERE to subscribe to The Big Issue today or give a gift subscription to a friend or family member.

You can also purchase one-off issues from The Big Issue Shop or The Big Issue app, available now from the App Store or Google Play.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Hedonist ex-MP Victor Grayson tried to expose corruption and scandal. Then he disappeared forever
Corruption

Hedonist ex-MP Victor Grayson tried to expose corruption and scandal. Then he disappeared forever

Top 5 gritty thrillers, chosen by viral sensation and best-selling author Lloyd Devereux Richards
Books

Top 5 gritty thrillers, chosen by viral sensation and best-selling author Lloyd Devereux Richards

The Summer We Ate Off the China by Devin Jacobsen review – digging for deepest meaning
Books

The Summer We Ate Off the China by Devin Jacobsen review – digging for deepest meaning

How four women raged a secret propaganda war against the Nazis during World War II
World War II

How four women raged a secret propaganda war against the Nazis during World War II

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue