Just the Facts: Book Discussion Recap from February 24, 2012

Many thanks to the eight people who braved a winter night - and a thousand page book - to take part in our book discussion. The book we read was Roy Jenkins’ Churchill: a biography. Since Jenkins was a long time member of Parliament and held high cabinet positions over the course of his career, he was able to provide valuable insights as to how the British government functions and the “back room” aspect of Churchill’s career. That he also a renowned historian and biographer made the book fascinating and very readable.

Winston Churchill actually had three lives. Had he died in his thirties, he would be remembered as a late-Victorian/early-Edwardian author, journalist and adventurer. Had he died in his early sixties, he would be remembered as a long serving Member of Parliament and cabinet minister. But he lived past then and at age sixty-five became the prime minister of the United Kingdom at the beginning of the Second World War, the role for which he is remembered and revered as a flawed, but magnificent figure in history. The conversation was lively and interesting and all agreed that without Churchill, it would be a very different world.

Our next book is Nathaniel’s Nutmeg: or, the true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history by Giles Morton. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 7:00 pm. The book is currently available at the Circulation Desk in the library.