Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Thomas E. Ricks does a side-by-side comparison of Winston Churchill and George Orwell. I had hoped it would be more of an integrated analysis, but it was more like two shorter biographies in one. In fact, these two people never actually met each other, and it was kind of a strange choice of people to compare. Why not Churchill and FDR? Or Orwell and Dickens (both of whom wrote to achieve social change)? Or some other combination? Ricks never explains why comparing these two men should make for a compelling exploration. As such, though he alternated from one to the other, there wasn't much in the way of in-depth exposition of the interactions or integration of the two in any substantive way. Perhaps this was because they (in fact) didn't interact, and were only similar to each other in relatively superficial ways (for example, both were writers). I was left wondering what reason he saw that I didn't for juxtaposing these two men in one book.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy getting to know both of them a little better. I've read previously about Churchill's life, but had never thought much about Orwell other than to read two of his books and realize that he (life some other writers) was working through his writing to try to change world circumstances. To that extent, and because there were new (to me) aspects and perspectives on their lives, I enjoyed the book. Others who have read more deeply into the lives of either man might find it less interesting.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy getting to know both of them a little better. I've read previously about Churchill's life, but had never thought much about Orwell other than to read two of his books and realize that he (life some other writers) was working through his writing to try to change world circumstances. To that extent, and because there were new (to me) aspects and perspectives on their lives, I enjoyed the book. Others who have read more deeply into the lives of either man might find it less interesting.
A socialist who denounced Stalinism. An aristocrat who stood up to a right-wing totalitarian. At first glance, these two men don't seem to have much in common with each other, but as Ricks lays out, these two men, in their own way as a writer and statesman, respectively, stood up for the rights of the individual and for democracy as an ideal in an era when such things were seen by many respectable circles in the Western World as passe.
This is a really great book and I learned a lot about both subjects. It just seems strange to put them together... it reminds me of when I was in college and a professor would assign a “compare and contrast” essay about two random books/authors.
The transitions always felt forced and I don’t think anything was really gained by switching back and forth between the two biographies. But I enjoyed the writing more than I expected to, and would recommend it to anyone interested in Orwell or Churchill.
The transitions always felt forced and I don’t think anything was really gained by switching back and forth between the two biographies. But I enjoyed the writing more than I expected to, and would recommend it to anyone interested in Orwell or Churchill.
4,5*
I find that this was extremely well written, I couldn't put this book down! And yet, I believe that this biography is slightly "flawed". It doesn't paint Churchill as a saint (on the contrary, I'm pretty sure there was a moment there were he struck me as one with some type of anti social disorder) BUT, it also didn't even mention his participation at the India famine and a South Africa conflict. Things that I hear as people criticize Churchill for, but that I cannot argue about for it wasn't even mentioned in this biography of him!
I find that this was extremely well written, I couldn't put this book down! And yet, I believe that this biography is slightly "flawed". It doesn't paint Churchill as a saint (on the contrary, I'm pretty sure there was a moment there were he struck me as one with some type of anti social disorder) BUT, it also didn't even mention his participation at the India famine and a South Africa conflict. Things that I hear as people criticize Churchill for, but that I cannot argue about for it wasn't even mentioned in this biography of him!
A very interesting read. The author does an excellent job of making the case that these two are more alike than I could have ever imagined. Both Churchill and Orwell are relevant to our current troubled times. The rise of oligarchy and the ruling wealthy class are topics on which both, especially Orwell, would have plenty to say. It isn't an overreaction to say that many of Orwell's comments on the totalitarian nature of both the extreme right and left are VERY applicable today. If we are to learn from history, we have to fully understand it so it does not repeat itself. Knowledge of these two key players is vital to our understanding.
“...liberty it’s not a product of military action. Rather, it is something alive that grows or diminishes every day, in how we think and communicate, how we treat each other, in our public discourse, in what we value and reward as society, and how we do that...”. T.E. Ricks.
I found this book confusing and a little hard to determine the intent and thread connecting to two personalities. The thesis of their connection was not completely made. It felt more of two histories with minor crossing points. As the Churchill history is familiar to me, the Orwell history was interesting addition.
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at several points through out the book but I did. I'm glad I read it. It was informative. I knew about Churchill than Orwell, who I knew next to nothing about. The author does a good job of stating faults and strengths of both men. Overall, I understand it to be a very accurate, non-biased review of their lives and how weirdly they intersect.
It was especially haunting to read at the end the truths that have become reality pulled from fiction in Orwell's 1984. Especially about those in power wanting to erase parts of history because they don't like them and didn't want them to happen, so they disappear. Very scary and sad.
I thought the perspectives of both men and how they often viewed America fascinating. I learned a lot and it made me think quite a bit too.
It was especially haunting to read at the end the truths that have become reality pulled from fiction in Orwell's 1984. Especially about those in power wanting to erase parts of history because they don't like them and didn't want them to happen, so they disappear. Very scary and sad.
I thought the perspectives of both men and how they often viewed America fascinating. I learned a lot and it made me think quite a bit too.
I've read about Churchill, and read about World War II, but I'd never read about Orwell. I rather enjoyed the take on both men, learning more about them, and was glad for the comparisons that came up. It is interesting to look at influential figures this way. This is very readable, it could easily have gotten really dry but didn't go that way.