240. Young Churchill: Soldier of Empire

Join Tom and Dominic in the second episode of our mini-series on Young Churchill as they dive into his imperial exploits. From Cuba to Sudan, they explore his obsession with adventure, the ambiguities that existed within his own moral universe, and his swashbuckling prose.
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[@tommonk7651]

From across the pond, I have long thought Churchill was the most interesting person of the 20th century. Such an incredible life....

[@toneydavis9802]

Fantastic guys! Churchill has always been a favorite and now even more so thanks to your pod cast. Brilliant discussion. Very engaging and informative.

[@Martijn_Steinpatz]

Whatever you may say about the man, and you can say tons, Churchill never fails to entertain.

[@billkohnen666]

Really great - enjoyed the reference to and learning more about Sir Bindin Blood. Although as an American had trouble at first with finding information for a “Serbyndn Blood”

[@grahamparkin5568]

Again another professional and informative program. A small point Winston Churchill carried and used a Mauser C96 at the Battle of Omdurman this firearms was a semi-automatic pistol, not a revolver as mentioned. If you go to the War Rooms in London you can see his other personal firearm a 1911 Colt which is also a semi-automatic pistol on display

[@hatjodelka]

I love the fact that this isn't a hagiography. No-one can deny he was a great man but also deeply flawed.

[@yingyang1008]

Good stuff.....thought Churchill's War by Irving was an interesting read

[@bilinguru]

I love Winston Churchill, but there is no doubt that many Englishmen, both of you included, have been so seduced by his writings and the romance of his exploits, that you fail to see that it is most probably true that he was not a very nice person most of the time. Perhaps it is because I am a teacher that I can say with some confidence that certain boys can behorrible, brutish brats. Obviously Churchill had many redeeming qualities, but is it beyond your imagination to fathom that the reason his parents spoke so harshly to him is because he was an incorrigible little $hit? You rely almost exclusively on Churchill's masterly autobiographical prose for your image of him, and that is the laziest type of historical analysis. Much of his story has clearly been omitted. Pushing a kid into the pool was doubtless not the only instance of him being a bully. I'm fairly certain he left a lot of pain in his wake in his quest for personal glory. He casts a long shadow over the 20th century, but I fear you have not been willing to shine a harsh enough light on his motivations and less savoury deeds and treatment of others.