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Summary: Thought provoking and quick
Review: 40 Ways to Look at Winston Churchill will be of interest to two groups of readers- those who know something about the man, but who haven't the time or interest to read a full biography, and those interested in Rubin's approach- presenting brief chapters devoted to one aspect of the subject's life. Especially interesting are the contradictory chapters- such as "Churchill had a drinking problem", paired with "Churchill didn't have a drinking problem." With the mega-biography still in fashion, this is a breath of fresh air.
Rating: 
Summary: enlightning read
Review: A must read for everyone. An interesting look at an individual in many lights. No matter the depth of your knowledge on Churchill, this book explores many undiscovered avenues.
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Summary: For something completely different...
Review: A really interesting look at a fascinating (if overanalyzed) man. The book is far from perfect--the 40 chapters do overlap and can be repetitive--but is really worth reading. The various perspectives remind anyone interested in history that the meaning of it all depends on where you are standing and where you look. Churchill was a great man and I learned many great facts, stories, and and perspectives from this unique book. It works another level as well--as a critique of the biographical form. It reminded me in that way of Alain De Botton's enjoyable novel "Kiss and Tell." Oh well, enough of that.
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Summary: Churchill As Haiku
Review: As confessed at the outset of this book, Sir Winston Churchill's life is literally voluminous. Ms. Rubin does not set out to emulate the so-called "exhaustive" biographies. Instead, she takes what I see as a Zen-like, more minimalist approach, capturing angles in the Great Man's character like light on different sides of a complicated crystal. It is a most effective means of introducing the reader to the walking contradiction that Churchill was , with every step he took.Having read several Churchill biographies already, I was most pleased by the lack of affectation Ms. Rubin brought to the task. She is well aware of the body of work that has gone before, and does not pretend to supplant any of it; rather she arranges her presentation so that one is left with a desire to know more, knowing already a great deal in a relatively small space. In a time when Sir Winston's name gets bandied about in relation to current "leaders," it's nice to get a glimpse of the man. In those glimpses, we can see how he stood, and continues to stand, far above any attempt at modern comparison. Churchill faced real trials of freedom, democracy, courage, character and existence itself. Segment by segment, Ms. Rubin shows us saint, sinner, genius, demagogue, and, ultimately, one of the most extraordinary human beings ever to stride the planet. Buy the book.
Rating:
Summary: Churchill As Haiku
Review: As confessed at the outset of this book, Sir Winston Churchill's life is literally voluminous. Ms. Rubin does not set out to emulate the so-called "exhaustive" biographies. Instead, she takes what I see as a Zen-like, more minimalist approach, capturing angles in the Great Man's character like light on different sides of a complicated crystal. It is a most effective means of introducing the reader to the walking contradiction that Churchill was , with every step he took. Having read several Churchill biographies already, I was most pleased by the lack of affectation Ms. Rubin brought to the task. She is well aware of the body of work that has gone before, and does not pretend to supplant any of it; rather she arranges her presentation so that one is left with a desire to know more, knowing already a great deal in a relatively small space. In a time when Sir Winston's name gets bandied about in relation to current "leaders," it's nice to get a glimpse of the man. In those glimpses, we can see how he stood, and continues to stand, far above any attempt at modern comparison. Churchill faced real trials of freedom, democracy, courage, character and existence itself. Segment by segment, Ms. Rubin shows us saint, sinner, genius, demagogue, and, ultimately, one of the most extraordinary human beings ever to stride the planet. Buy the book.
Rating:
Summary: Still something new about Churchill
Review: Churchill is an inspiring figure, and seems surprisingly relevant today, perhaps because of 9/11, but also because he lived life so fully and overcame so many setbacks.
This book is a surprisingly fresh complement to Churchill biographies. By dividing Churchill's life into a number - 40 - issues, it lets the author examine the tiles in the mosaic that is Churchill. She also has a thesis - that Churchill's life is a literally classic "tragedy" - which is a unifying and stimulating concept.
I really liked the book.
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Summary: You Think You Know, but You Have No Idea
Review: Contrary to one previous reviewer, who clearly wrote his hasty review during a commercial break on Fox, this is a brilliant primer on Churchill- for those who have read every book, it poses a series of provocative questions about the man behind the icon and for those who haven't read a word, this is a great place to start. For conservatives and liberals alike, a scintillating examination of one of the most important men of the modern era. Must be all that hot air in Scottsdale...
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Summary: Winston Churchill Smokes A Cigar
Review: Excellent! Gretchen Rubin presents us with snapshots of Churchill-- the father, the imperialist, the dandy, the hero, etc. Through the different pieces, a whole picture begins to emerge. As much about how we write and read biographies as it is about Churchill, this book is for anybody who likes to think. Also-- great fathers' day present.
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Summary: The Next Generation Looks at Churchill
Review: Gretchen Craft Rubin is not a historian or a professional Churchillphile but rather someone who came to develop a fascination with this great man in recent years much like myself. She is also someone who was only born as Churchill's life was ending so all of her interest in Churchill is historical. What she has done here is to write 40 short essays each coming at Churchill from a different perspective. Some essays examine Churchill as husband and father, Churchill as leader, Churchill from a revisionist standpoint and many others. Indeed, this book serves as a very brief introduction to all that continues to make Churchill so interesting, nearly forty years after his death. Nothing new or original is contained in this book but it is interesting and well-written and I would recommend it to anyone interested in WInston Churchill
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Summary: Discovering Churchill and Learning Biogaphy Technology
Review: Gretchen Rubin favors her readers with an honest presentation of Winston Churchill and reveals how biographical authors use their own interpretations to "spin" facts to suit their own ends. She also clearly reveals her own opinions when she expresses them. She presents Churchill "warts and all" but his greatness shines through. Forty Ways is a fun and refreshing way to view one of history's greatest characters.
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