Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill

At age twenty-four, Winston Churchill arrived in South Africa in 1899 convinced of his destiny to become prime minister of England. He came to cover the brutal colonial war between the British and Boer rebels, hoping to advance his political career. Two weeks later, he was taken prisoner. Churchill executed a daring escape, traveling hundreds of miles through enemy territory alone with only cash, chocolate, and his wits. During his time in South Africa, he encountered historical figures including Rudyard Kipling, Lord Kitchener, and Mohandas Gandhi, with whom he would later share the world stage. Candice Millard's account examines how the lessons Churchill learned during the Boer War would significantly influence twentieth century history.