Never Give In!: The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches

One can feel it from the very first speeches. Churchill had a spirit , a life, a kind of vitality and energy in all that he did. Even in the most ordinary matters he conveys a certain excitement and drama. This is of course especially true in the great speeches that rallied the British people in the Second World War. The Dunkirk speech, the "we will never surrender" words, the "Finest Hour" words of determination and defiance. Along with the great sweep of heroic feeling there is a language somehow so visceral, so capable of stirring the emotions. And it is important to remember that these speeches were not simply brilliant rhetorical performances, but were historical actions of the first order which had meaning in the great struggle to save freedom and human civilization.

I bought this book seeking to learn from Churchill's skills as an orator, and I got more than my money's worth. If you're interested in the art of public speaking, then by all means read Churchill's speaches! As a positive side effect (concidering my purpose in reading it), it is a morally inspiring book. Churchill's eloquence works in paper almost as much as it did in real life.

This is an outstanding collection of speeches from perhaps the greatest orator to grace the English language. Having been edited and published by his grandson, Winston Churchill, it would be tempting to be cynical and think of this as a money making exercise, but that would be very wrong. The editor has taken great care in his selection, and the thoughtfulness shows through. For example, the book ranges from the famous, such as "Be ye men of valour" or "We shall fight them on the beaches" to esoteric speeches such as that delivered on the repudiation of the Balfour Declaration. This is book which will rightly appeal to many, from those interested in history, to those wanting to study the works of a great orator, and pure and simple Churchill fans. The best thing though, is that one can dip into the book and sample it at different places. It holds pride of place on my bookshelf.

What strikes the reader most is this: WSC saw the moral dimension of political and economic events. I expected the eloquence and the courage; I didn't expect the insight and moral depth. So this becomes more than a collection of great speeches; more than a demonstration of the power of words used well; it shines as an example of the importance of the moral dimension of everyday events. Churchill saw that, and shared it with us all. This is a terrific book.