Quite simply, this is one of the best books ever written! The style and story content give the book a pace rarely achieved in autobiographies and give it an un-put-down-able quality. In my opinion this is the best read of all of Churchill’s books.

The book gives, in his own words, a rollercoaster account of Winston Spencer Churchill’s life up to the age of 25. There are more adventures and achievements in those 25 years than most people could achieve in several lifetimes and yet, as we know, this was just a mere prelude to his later political career (Home Secretary, First Lord of the Admiralty – twice, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister – twice).

This book should be compulsory reading for all 16 year olds. What better unspiration could there be for someone on the threshold of adulthood than the swashbuckling exploits of an old fashioned hero who later, despite a stammer, became the greatest orator in history, and despite being kept back in the same English class for three years became a journalist and one of the greatest/prolific writers of all time?

I can happily give this book five out of five stars.