The The Last Lion: Volume 2: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940

This second volume of William Manchester's three-volume biography of Winston Churchill covers the period from 1932 to 1940, an era of rising fascism and approaching war. During these years, Churchill faced severe personal and political challenges: he was pursued by creditors, disowned by his own party, dismissed by the press as a warmonger, and twice nearly lost his parliamentary seat. Despite these troubles, Churchill built an extensive underground intelligence network within the British government and on the continent, gathering more complete and accurate information about Germany than the British government possessed. Recognizing the threat of Nazi aggression, he stood nearly alone in opposing it while Britain and France pursued a policy of appeasement. Manchester's portrait examines Churchill as a complex figure—a man with limitations including callousness toward others and occasional recklessness, yet also a man of global vision and boundless courage. The biography presents him as a light against the approaching darkness, preparing for the conflict ahead.