There are few figures in British history more famous than Winston Churchill. Renowned for guiding Britain through the tumultuous Second World War, his speeches echo through history, and his wartime leadership is recognized as essential for weathering the war. But there is so much more to the man than his speeches and official photos. The Compact Guide: Winston Churchill explores that hidden history in succinct yet informative detail, tracking Churchill's nine-decade life from his early childhood, all the way to his last days.

The Compact Guide: Winston Churchill is full of revealing personal letters, documents, and speeches, which draw attention to the unforgettable power of his oratory, which added a heroic dimension to a leader who was undoubtedly a true statesman.

However, Churchill was not without fault – the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, the creation of Iraq in 1921, his blind spot over India – all these contributed to a reputation for unreliability that dogged much of his public life. These make for an exciting, colourful retelling of this political titan's life, and a definite must-read.