Being there . . . . to join with someone else, hopefully a good friend or a loved inseparable
companion, who has not only noticed Rt. Hon. (Sir) Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-
1965), but also has found the “self”, himself or herself, inundated with curiosity about his
character. In deadly seriousness, more than casual, cool unconcern and relaxed indifference,
most Americans and their Brit counterparts set out the facts observed in moments of privacy,
then moments of hard decision. No one was closer to Winnie than his closest friend, military
mentor, personal critic, and unacknowledged “brother” than Field Marshal Viscount
Alanbrooke. No better accurate, gentle, passionate account of Winston “true colors” exists than
his War Diaries – – see Arthur Bryant’s, “The Turn of The Tide” (1956, the Reprint Society
London.) He wrote in part, “I wonder whether any historian of the future will ever be able to
paint Winston in his true colors. It is a wonderful character, the most marvelous qualities and
superhuman genius mixed with an astonishing lack of vision at times, and an impetuosity
which, if not guided, must inevitably brings him into trouble again and again.
“Perhaps the most remarkable failing of his is that he can never see a whole strategical
problem at once. His gaze always settles on some definite part of the canvas and the rest of the
picture is lost. It is difficult to make him realize the influence of one theatre against another.
The general handling of German reserves in Europe was never fully grasped by him. This failing
is accentuated by the fact that often he does not want to see the whole picture, especially if the
wider vision should in any way interfere with the operation he may have temporarily set his
heart on.
“He is quite the most difficult man to work with that I have ever struck, but I would not have
missed the chance of working with him for anything on earth”.
Warts and all, eh, Alanbrooke? Why not? Thus, we better understand the psychological
health of this genius, a man of iron, perfectly sure of himself and supremely competent who, it
can be argued metaphorically, single-handily saved Western Civilization. For this wanna-be
reviewer, one promise in his remaining lifetime will definitely be kept: when he arrives in
Heaven, after visits with his immediate family, then ancient Italian ancestors, he will
immediately seek out Saint Junipero Serra, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, good-friends Gabby
Hayes and John Ford, and Winston Churchill, all five men of the highest grade of the world’s
humanity.
LIFE MAGAZINE IN A POST-WW II FEATURE, “A PORTRAIT OF WINSTON CHURCHILL” BY HAROLD
NICOLSON, HEADLINED (paraphrased), “ENGLAND AT WAR FOUND HIM INDISPENSABLE, BUT
ENGLAND AT PEACE THOUGHT HIM TOO IMPETUOUS”. WINNIE WAS FIRED (lost the election to
remain Prime Minister). FAIR? PEN & SWORD MILITARY BOOKS GLEEFULLY ANSWERED BY
PUBLISHING AND PRESENTING A STUNNING NEW BRITISH EPITOME-COMPENDIUM – – ITS
ARRIVAL HERE IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS GIFT SALES. DISTRIBUTED IN AMERICA BY CASEMATE
PUBLISHERS (who else?), THE “TRUE COLORS” OF THE GENIUS ARE NOW EASIERTO
COMPREHEND . . .
Reviewed and highly, highly recommended by Don DeNevi
“A CHURCHILL TREASURY – Sir Winston’s Public Service Through Memorabilia”, by Brian E.
Krapf, Foreword by Randolph Churchill. Pen & Sword MILITARY, Yorkshire-Philadelphia: 2023,
226 pages, 7 1/4” x 10”, hardcover, extensive use of period memorabilia, several hundred
photos mostly in color, $49.95. Visit, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk and E-mail: USpen-and-
sword@casematepublishers.com.
Without question, if your beloved is a World War II buff, enthusiast, or aficionado, he MUST
have this eye-witness text to intellectually explore this unfathomable man, especially when he
served as not only the Prime Minister of Britain during the dangerous war years, but also as
unacknowledged leader of the English-speaking peoples of the world. “A CHURCHILL
TREASURY” is truly a gift because of its unique approach to describing and documenting the
career and public service of the immensely popular and loved man. Buffs especially will
appreciate the insight into the various public offices Winnie held. Brian Krapf is to be
commended, nay, highly praised for designing a book that will appeal to readers of all ages and
backgrounds. As the book jacket’s back cover puts it, “Brian has crafted a Wonder Cabinet full
of Churchill treasures.”
