Churchill: Wanted Dead or Alive

The author, Celia Sandys, is the subject's granddaughter. As such, she had access to papers, people, and places that few individuals have. She presents a view of the early Churchill (age 20-25) that gives one an objective glimpse of his early life, ambitions, and personality. She has done much field research by access to original papers, actual locations, and descendants of those who knew Churchill in his early 20s. Much of her research is centered in South Africa where the young Churchill had a yen for being where the action was in the Boer War, and having an inordinate amount of luck escaping death and danger. Additionally, she gives detailed maps of his movements, and tries to bridle some of his self-sustaining writings that could not be independently verified. This work should give any reader an understanding that Churchill's early years were a prelude to his more famous leadership role during the dark days of World War II. An excellent read.

In an era when many of our political leaders are intellectually challenged, it is wonderful to learn more about the most challenging intellect of the last several centuries. Winston S. Churchill is one of the finest statesmen, writers, and historians of our age. He was also a skilled and brave soldier, a perceptive analyst of human nature and world affairs, and a talented painter. His granddaughter's marvelous book about a brief but exciting period of Churchill's early life gives us a fascinating glimpse into this great man. A correspondent sent to cover the Boer War, he also fought in it. Captured, he escaped. Ms. Sandys takes us on a personal tour through Churchill's route, talks with the relatives of those who helped Churchill escape, and gives us intimate insights into a man who seems to have, like Minerva, come into this world fully armed with wisdom and valor. The World-War-II Churchill who most of us know is a mere coda to the sixty some-odd years that preceded it. Celia Sandys makes her grandfather come alive for us ... it is a remarkable book.

History written this way, by a descendant about her famous ancestor (Churchill in this case) is both rare and enchanting. The author found stimulation by retracing her grandfather's Boer War steps physically and by seeking out the children and grandchildren of people who interacted with the famous man one hundred years ago.We are fortunate to have a story of the early Churchill told to us this way, in the voice of a young woman not yet born when he was already demonstrating the steel of his determination and his fearlessness. There is love and amazement in Celia Sandys's voice as she covers the subject of her grandfather's exploits. Her encounters with the descendants of those who knew Churchill are rendered with authenticity and warmth. I suspect that the author may easily have lost control over her material (untamed and full of incredibly exciting action) but she did not. For the amateur historian this book is a delight; Churchill connoisseurs will, of course, love it; and for the occasional reader it will be a rare pleasure.

A cracking-good biography that would make an ideal gift for any teenaged boy (or girl) with brains and ambition. By age 25, the young Churchill had been graduated from Sandhurst, fought as a British Army officer in several campaigns, written an acclaimed best-seller (The River War), worked as a topnotch war correspondent for major London newspapers, been captured by the Boers and held as a prisoner of war (and escaped), advised top generals and politicos, and been defeated in his first try for Parliament, but elected on his second try. Again, in case you missed it - by age 25! Herein the story, told by his granddaughter in the best family tradition.

This adventure story which reads like fiction is, in fact, fact. We see in the young Churchill the makings of the man who would be Prime Minister. Winston's exploits and bravery in the distant history of the Boer War in South Africa one hundred years ago today, are brilliantly brought to life by his granddaughter, Celia Sandys. At times, close both to tears and laughter, I feel I can almost touch him.