Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill
Who Would Like This Book:
Candice Millard takes a little-known chapter of Winston Churchill's life and spins it into a historical thriller that feels more like a novel than non-fiction. Her vivid storytelling brings young Churchill and the high-stakes drama of the Boer War to life - complete with escapes, close calls, and loads of character insight. If you’re a fan of fast-paced history, adventure stories, or are curious about the making of iconic figures before they became legends, you’ll love this. Bonus points if you enjoy Millard’s previous work or want a book that adds colorful context to world history.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the book a bit one-sided, relying heavily on Churchill’s own accounts without digging deeper or critically questioning his narrative. If you’re looking for a deep, nuanced analysis of colonialism or an exhaustive history of the Boer War itself, you might find this too focused on Churchill and light on broader context. Readers hoping for entirely fresh info beyond what’s in Churchill’s own writings may also be a little underwhelmed.
About:
'Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill' by Candice Millard follows the early years of Winston Churchill, focusing on his time as a journalist covering the Boer War in South Africa. Churchill's capture by the Boers and his daring escape, traversing enemy territory alone, are highlighted as pivotal moments in his life. The narrative is described as fast-paced, smartly written, and impeccably researched, providing a detailed account of Churchill's bravery, audacity, and ambition during a tumultuous period in history.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains discussions surrounding war violence, colonialism, and the impact on different cultures, which may be sensitive to some readers.
From The Publisher:
"A thrilling account…. This book is an awesome nail-biter and top-notch character study rolled into one." -New York Times Critic Jennifer Senior's Top Ten Books of 2016
At the age of twenty-four, Winston Churchill was utterly convinced it was his destiny to become prime minister of England. He arrived in South Africa in 1899, valet and crates of vintage wine in tow, to cover the brutal colonial war the British were fighting with Boer rebels and jumpstart his political career. But just two weeks later, Churchill was taken prisoner. Remarkably, he pulled off a daring escape-traversing hundreds of miles of enemy territory, alone, with nothing but a crumpled wad of cash, four slabs of chocolate, and his wits to guide him.
Bestselling author Candice Millard spins an epic story of bravery, savagery, and chance encounters with a cast of historical characters-including Rudyard Kipling, Lord Kitchener, and Mohandas Gandhi-with whom Churchill would later share the world stage. But Hero of the Empire is more than an extraordinary adventure story, for the lessons Churchill took from the Boer War would profoundly affect twentieth century history.
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About the Author:
Candice Millard is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The River of Doubt and Destiny of the Republic. Her book Hero of the Empire was named Amazon's number one history book of 2016. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and three…
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