Winston Churchill knew the power of words. In speeches, books, and articles, he expressed his feelings and laid out his vision for the future. His wartime writings and speeches have fascinated generation after generation with their powerful narrative style and thoughtful reflection.

Martin Gilbert, Churchill's official biographer, has chosen passages that express the essence of Churchill's thoughts and describe--in his own inimitable words--the main adventures of his life and the main crises of his career. From first to last, they give insight into his life, how it evolved, and how he...