The Right Honourable Sir Winston Churchill, as is the man’s full title. He is recognized as one the greatest men who ever lived, one of history’s giants, and is seen first and foremost as one of the heroic leaders who helped to defeat Hitler.

Born on 30 November 1874 and passing away on 24 January 1965 at the age of 90, Churchill would also accrue the following list of formal accomplishments: twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1940 – 1945 and 1951 – 1955), officer in the British Army, non-academic historian, writer (as Winston S. Churchill), and artist. Furthermore, in 1953 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for his overall lifetime achievements, which all taken together constitute an immensely formidible résumé.

However a closer inspection of the man under the light of crucial scholarly evidence makes it clear that the real nature of the man, his behaviour, and his performance both in public and military life are greately at odds with the heavily sanitized and whitewashed version of Churchill which permeates the public consciousness.

Drawing upon this evidence, we shall uncover a very stark and confronting picture of the man, and we shall will see that beneath the surface of his charismatic public image and outgoing personality lay a man fraught with both physical and psychological frailties – ones which would have a profound impact not just upon his own career and performance, but upon the entire world. Indeed, some of Churchill’s legacies still reverberate right through to the present today in the most negative of ways, and will continue to do so well into the future.

The opinions of numerous scholars will be drawn upon, perhaps the most eminent being Professor Jerrold Post, who has carefully studied and profiled Churchill in addition to numerous other key world leaders both past and present. An world-class specialist in the field of political psychology with a highly illustrious career, Post currently holds the position of Professor of Psychiatry, Political Psychology and International Affairs at The George Washington University. Post also held a 21-year career with the CIA between 1965-1986, where he was the founder and director of the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior. He has also held 17 academic appointments, authored 10 books, 29 book chapters, 65 academic papers, and presented 182 lectures in the field of political psychology. [1]

Importantly, we shall look at many quotes by those in key political positions who knew Churchill, all of whom paint a consistent picture of the man.

Critically, we shall also include the diary entries of the man who undoubtedly had the closest working relationship with Churchill of all: Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke (alternatively known as Alan Brooke), the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (professional head) of the British Army during the Second World War. Alanbrooke suffered perpetual exasperation in dealing with Churchill throughout the war, not just by virtue of Churchill’s obnoxious behaviour, but mainly in having to constantly curtail Churchill’s impulsive and riciculous strategic fixations.

Professor Alex Danchev, co-author of “War Diaries, 1939-1945: Field Marshall Lord Alanbrooke”, sums up Alanbrooke’s exasperation:

“It’s clear from Alanbrooke’s diaries that working with Churchill was, for Alanbrooke, the most extreme test of patience, of mettle, of human perseverence that one could imagine – not waging war against the enemy, mind you, but waging war with Winston Churchill as Prime Minister.” [2]

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“Alanbrooke at one stage said that most people consider Churchill to be a second Marlborough [Churchill’s military hero ancestor], that most people have no idea what it would be like to work with him constantly, day in, day out, and most people do not know what a menace in fact he was.” [3]

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“Alanbrooke was brought to such a pitch of aggravation by the cumulation of the war . . . he was exhausted, as he frequently remarked. His diary fairly palpitates with exasperation at obtuse politicians, obstructive Americans, obstreperous Russians, obmutescent Chinese – to say nothing of the enemy – and, in a class of his own, Winston. The relationship between those two intimate adversaries changed over time. Churchill appointed Alanbrooke, in effect, as his minister-counsellor. Taking the measure of his situation, Alanbrooke appointed himself Churchill’s nanny, just as he appointed himself Montgomery’s guardian. Uniquely, in each case, he was accepted in that role by both of these infantile tyrants, for his acumen, but above all for his rectitude.” [4]

As we shall see, a Churchill committed a whole series of critical errors throughout his entire career, which would leave a massive string of peace-time and military disasters in its wake.

We shall see how Churchill’s decisions were erratic, impulsive and reckless, how he acted in a callous and often monstrous fashion, and how his poor understanding of strategic realities during both world wars proved to be a constant menace.

Furthermore, and most interestingly, we shall examine the dark forces that were at work within Churchill’s mind, ones which would have a profound affect upon his judgements and world events.

[To be continued . . .]

Accompanying chapters:

Churchill: The early years →
Churchill: A psychological profile →
Churchill: Health →

References

[1] CURRICULUM VITAE – JERROLD M. POST, M.D: http://www.pol-psych.com/downloads/Curriculum2005.htm
[2] Altered Statesman: Winston Churchill (5/8) [3:26 min] [click here]
[3] Altered Statesman: Winston Churchill (5/8) [3:52 min] [click here]
[4] Lord Alanbrooke, A Danchev, D Todman. Alanbrooke War Diaries 1939-1945: Field Marshall Lord Alanbrooke. Weidenfeld & Nicholson. 2002. Location 253 / 16475.