It should be assumed that everyone knows who Winston Churchill was, or at least everyone has an image of this public figure and wartime legend. Sebastian Haffner is much less well known, but his short and to-the-point biography of such a complex character, whose life spanned nearly a century, is a fascinating read that sheds much light on little-known aspects of recent Western history. And which, without pandering to any "intimate details" - which is common in some modern biographies - also illuminates many of the contradictions and failures in Churchill's behavior and career without detracting from his unique achievements. Haffner's biography of Winston Churchill is a masterpiece conciseness and written with a grasp of the good a journalist who has the advantage of an outside observer, but one who also knows a lot about the background of events. Among the surprises for the reader in this book are Churchill's transformations of loyalty to political parties. He began as a Conservative, then became a radical Liberal and a member of one of Lloyd George's governments, before returning, after the First World War, to the Conservative Party, which had long hated him as a renegade. Churchill was very much a political dissident, often rash, rarely calculating, and genuinely oblivious to what others thought of him. Having hated school in his day and being a layman in almost every field except English history, he turned to the army for his career, and also discovered the joys writing. He was, first of all and above all, a warrior and an opportunist, but without the slightest trace of benefit for himself. And also a noteworthy writer. Another surprise in Haffner's narrative is Churchill's complete insight into the intentions of Soviet Russia and his strategy for preventing them from becoming a reality after the war, as well as his complete failure to implement this strategy due to the relative weakness of England in the face of both America, so does Russia. And his unequivocal desire to sell the British economy and empire in exchange for American aid and thus achieve victory in the war. This was the only way to resist Hitler, and he decided on it without a doubt. But mathematical and financial calculations, among other things, were not strong Churchill's side. His stubbornness and determination to prove his point led him to make some decisions that were difficult for many people. Just ask the Australians or New Zealanders he sent to their deaths at Gallipoli during the First World War, or the Poles he abandoned during the next World War. Haffner also clearly alludes to the variable nature of Churchill's moods. These days he would probably be diagnosed as "bipolar" as he fluctuated between intense, highly energetic highs and periods of what Churchill himself described as a "black dog" that took over him. Many, many books have been written about Churchill. This book occupies a special and worthy place among them. This book is highly recommended to anyone who has any is interested in the personality of Churchill, or the world of British politics in the first half of the 20th century.