Rating: 
Summary: Churchill & Manchester? A Must Read
Review: For anyone unfamiliar with either Winston Churchill or William Manchester, this book provides a nice introduction to both. Remember the name Manchester, and when you're done with this book, go immediately back to Amazon.com and buy "The Last Lion", both volumes (the third volume is not yet published, alas).There are many astonishing events in Churchill's life, and one wonders at the extent of self-aggrandizement in this book (certainly you wouldn't expect a politician to be entirely honest!). Nevertheless, if only 1/4 of Churchill's stories were true, it would be more than enough to establish him among the icons of history. That this work ends on Churchill's (first) rise to public prominence is fitting. It is as if to say that prior to his political ascendency, Churchill's life was his own, and thus worthy of his own gifted commentary. Whereas after he became a public figure, there was really nothing more for him to personally relate (of course, Manchester's anecdotal stories concerning Churchill's bathtime hijinks put the lie to that theory - refer to the Last Lion VII). Not that there isn't plenty of autobiography in Churchill's other works (his history of World War II is rife with personal detail), but the tone is different, and the degree of revelation more subdued. It is of incalculable benefit that we have access to such a personalized view of the childhood and formation of such a great man. Not that he could be duplicated by applying such remedies to your own children (just add syphalitic father, sexually uninhibited but devoted mother, and healthy dose of latin lessons at exclusive English school). I must confess that among the many details contained in this book, the one that I find most revealing is Churchill's daring and disastrous gambit during a childhood game of tag (a presage to Forcing the Dardanelles?). This single incident speaks clearly to Churchill's indominatable spirit, incredible daring, and dangerous creativity.
Rating: 
Summary: A must for anyone interested in Churchill.
Review: I first read this as part of a college seminar n Winston Churchill and I have reread the book several times since. This is a great story, wonderfully told by the master. The prose is a bit formal for this day, but his observations are keen and conveyed with a great wry humor.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone interested in Churchill
Review: I interrupted my reading of Manchester's biography of Churchill in order to read this one, hoping to gain a richer understanding of the man. I was not disappointed! It is easy to see why Churchill won the Pulitzer prize for writing. He is indeed a master. The book itself is just plain fun and good reading. But the best part is that you get a real flavor for the true personality of the man himself. He has the ability to make even the very dullest facts interesting,and even adventuresome; whether he is describing a polo match or one of him many "close calls" in war. His amazing writing abilities and style are like a refreshing drink of water compared to many of today's authors.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly entertain and simultaneously edifying
Review: My Early Life : 1874-1904 is highly recommended to young people, History buffs, political aspirants, and those with a fetish for biography. Not required to enjoy this book is prior knowledge of the author, the book is strong enough to stand on it's own. Churchill's clear and at times humorous narration was particularly enjoyable; I could almost hear the British bulldog speaking in my ear. An informative and easy read that moves at a good pace as it covers childhood to the early days in the House of commons, the reader is left with a concise picture of Churchill's formative years. The combination of Churchill literary talents and his amazing exploits are truly a winner.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent accout of his life, but a bit verbose.
Review: The way Churchill describes his daring escape from the boers is really gripping, it was an excellent book, but sometimes it is a bit verbose and Churchill losses me, but besides that I would definitly recommend this book, it is 110% better than James Herriot's "Every Living Thing"
Rating:
Summary: The man himself
Review: Though there are some magnificent biographies of the man of the century none of them can give you the sense of what Churchill was really like. Here is Winston, in 1930, telling you a bit about himself. The vigor, spirt and essense of the man is just absolutely enthralling. You will see what it was that made him the man to rally the western world in it's greatest hour of darkness. This is the man. Embrace him.
Rating:
Summary: The Early Life of a Great Man
Review: Winston Churchill does a terrific job detailing his life as a young man in his autobiography, "My Early Life". What make this such a great book is the way Churchill writes: it is rather informal, as if he is talking directly to you. Churchill describes certain experiences in his past so vividly it is like they were fresh in his mind from having just happened. An important feature to this book is that it includes certain incites that cannot be found in any history book. You can learn much from this book. It comes from the mind of an experienced British cavalry officer, journalist, and politician. It is full of stories and special accounts that are never uninteresting. To read and enjoy this book it is not required to know anything about the man, Winston Churchill. Anyone from a high school student to a renowned historian will enjoy reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Early Life of a Great Man
Review: Winston Churchill does a terrific job detailing his life as a young man in his autobiography, "My Early Life". What make this such a great book is the way Churchill writes: it is rather informal, as if he is talking directly to you. Churchill describes certain experiences in his past so vividly it is like they were fresh in his mind from having just happened. An important feature to this book is that it includes certain incites that cannot be found in any history book. You can learn much from this book. It comes from the mind of an experienced British cavalry officer, journalist, and politician. It is full of stories and special accounts that are never uninteresting. To read and enjoy this book it is not required to know anything about the man, Winston Churchill. Anyone from a high school student to a renowned historian will enjoy reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Early Life of a Great Man
Review: Winston Churchill does a terrific job detailing his life as a young man in his autobiography, "My Early Life". What make this such a great book is the way Churchill writes: it is rather informal, as if he is talking directly to you. Churchill describes certain experiences in his past so vividly it is like they were fresh in his mind from having just happened. An important feature to this book is that it includes certain incites that cannot be found in any history book. You can learn much from this book. It comes from the mind of an experienced British cavalry officer, journalist, and politician. It is full of stories and special accounts that are never uninteresting. To read and enjoy this book it is not required to know anything about the man, Winston Churchill. Anyone from a high school student to a renowned historian will enjoy reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Autobiography
Review: Winston Churchill's autobiography of his early life is an engrossing and informative read. After reading other biographies of Churchill it is interesting to get the story from the Churchill himself. In addition to learning about Churchill's youth, one gets a portrait of late Victorian England, a world that no longer exists.
The opening chapters are amusing as Churchill humorlessly recalls his difficult days in the British public school system. The middle section covers his military career in India and Africa. It is hard to understand Churchill's zest for war in today's climate. Europe had not seen the destruction total war could wrought. It is miracle he survived all the engagements he took part in. As Churchill points out most believed there would never be a major war at that time and war was still considered to be romantic. He sadly points out that most his former comrades would killed in the Boer War and the First World War. The chapters on Churchill's escape from the Boer POW camp are a real treat.
"My Early Life" is one of the finest autobiographies I have read. One can see why Churchill was awarded a Nobel Prize for literature. His command of the English language is masterful. What gives added relevence to this book is that it was written in the 1920s, little did Churchill know that he would play a central role in stopping Hitler and becoming one of the world's finest spokesman for freedom.
| 
