Winston Churchill is a fascinating man that lived an astounding life. It is no exaggeration to say that few men have lived lives half as interesting. For that reason, and many more, countless books have been written about Churchill and his remarkable life. I just finish reading Churchill by Paul Johnson and I must say that it is an outstanding biography.

To be sure, there are many great biographies about Churchill that are more in depth. The classic Churchill by Martin Gilbert comes to mind. Also, William Manchester’s trilogy of books (The Last Lion: Visions of Glory, The Last Lion: Alone, and, with Paul Reid,  The Last Lion: Defender of the Realm) are considered definitive works about Churchill’s life.

If, however, you’re looking for a one-volume basic introduction to Churchill, I doubt you could find one better than Johnson’s book. In it Johnson manages to cover Churchill’s life without getting bogged down in too much detail. He also masterfully weaves anecdotes and quotes into the story which makes the book a quick and marvelously fun read.

This great biography is a wonderful addition to any collection of books on Churchill, or great men in general. Beyond that, anyone wishing to learn more about leadership would benefit from studying this amazing leader.