Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Britain, has been the subject of many books, the first one being published in 1905. This November, English historian Andrew Roberts will publish Churchill: Walking With Destiny a novel focusing on Churchill’s time in politics and his opposition to Adolf  Hitler and Nazism.

This is an epic book that tells of an epic life. Roberts peels back the layers to provide insight into the reasons why Churchill did what he did and how he came to be a major historical figure.  

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born on November 30, 1874 to Lord Randolph Churchill and his American mother Jennie Jerome. According to Mr. Roberts, Churchill was “profoundly affected by his half-American background” and all his life promoted the idea of the union of the English-speaking peoples.

Churchill had difficulties in school and was not a very good student, mainly due to the lisp he developed at a very young age. He became a master of the English language and as Mr. Roberts noted, “the role of Churchill’s oratory in inspiring the British, American and other peoples to defeat Hitler was absolutely essential.”

On May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of Britain. Churchill formed a coalition cabinet from the Conservative, Liberal and Labour Parties to take a united stand against Hitler.

Britain would stand alone against the Germans for an entire year.  It was Winston Churchill who rallied the people for human freedom with his powerful speeches. The United States and the Soviet Union would join forces with Great Britain in defeating Germany on May 8, 1945.

Churchill had a great relationship with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and with General and future US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. “He highly respected and admired both men. Although they had many political arguments, it never affected their friendships” Mr. Roberts stated.

Roberts commented on Churchill’s military leadership and his stances during WWII. “He was an exceptional war leader who played a vital role in defeating the Nazis.” Roberts said. Also saying that “Along with the Chiefs of Staff, he devised the strategy for Britain to win the war, in alliance with the British Empire, United States of America and the Soviet Union”.

Winston Churchill died on January 24, 1965 at ninety years old. .  Britain and the rest of the world mourned the death of the man that made a huge impact on the world. At the moment when freedom was most under siege, he stood up to Hitler and the Nazis.

In Churchill’s life and in Roberts’ book we also find lessons to the challenges we face in our own time. Roberts said that “Every generation needs a biography of Churchill to call its own” And for this generation it is Churchill: Walking With Destiny.

Roberts’ new book, Churchill: Walking with Destiny is being published by Penguin in November. You can pre-order it from your local bookstore, or on Amazon.com