'The Churchill Factor, How one man made History' - Boris Johnson - Review

Johnson wrote this volume as he believes that, with the soldiers of the Second World War gradually fading into the mists of time, we are losing those who can remember the sound of his voice, and he argues there is a danger that we might forget the scale of Churchill’s role in the Second World War.

This is Johnson’s take on Churchill’s varied and fascinating life, starting with the wartime prime minister’s less-than-satisfactory upbringing and concluding with a series of chapters about Churchill’s influence on the making of the modern world, from the creation of post-war Europe to his more problematic intervention in drawing the boundaries of the Middle East, a theatre of almost constant conflict since.

His humorous narrative makes it much more reader than other biographies of Churchill, such as Arthur’s ‘Churchill: A life’. In his trademark buffoonery, Johnson describes French generals during the Second World War as “white-haired dodderers in their Clouseau-like kepis” commanding “an origami army”.

However, just as in his public endeavours, there is a profound point underscoring all the banter and bravura. The book is an exploration of the many distinctive facets of Churchill’s character that made him the man he was, and provided him with the inner strength and spirit that enabled him to save Great Britain in her darkest hour.

While Johnson is clearly an admirer of Churchill, he doesn’t bring new insights to the study of the great statesman.  Something he easily forgiven for given the extent of the histography surrounding Churchill’s legacy. The obvious subtext, of course, is that Johnson is seeking to compare his own reputation as a political maverick with that of Churchill, a notion furthered by his readiness to place himself at the heart of the narrative.

It is a very readable and witty account of Churchill, giving a comprehensive foundation of his life, as well as finding traces of his legacy throughout the world.  However, it is a very selective account, in his admiration for Churchill, Johnson is prepared to airbrush Churchill’s sinister qualities, such as his role in the Bengali famine, views on forced sterilisation and condoning war crimes like the bombing of Dresden, with the rightful argument that he got more right than he did wrong.

It gets 4/5