Winston Churchill didn't just have a knack for statesmanship: He also had quite an eye for horses. The British politician was seventy-five when he bought his first racehorse, Colonist II, who proved to be one of the most popular and remarkable horses of his era - winning thirteen of twenty-four races and placing in five others. After Churchill's defeat as prime minister, these were much needed victories, and they helped the elder statesman deal with his political failures. Just as importantly, the success led him to buy more horses and sparked a greater interest in the sport among the general public. The rekindling of interest mirrored Churchill's own love affair with horses: One of his earliest known writings is a letter he sent to his mother in May 1882 in which he mentioned his horse, RobRoy, named after the Scottish hero. Whether or not it was one mile or more than two, the French-bred, grey colt proved that he could be just as steadfast and courageous as Churchill himself. Together, Churchill and Colonist II captured the heart of a nation.

Winston Churchill didnt just have a knack for statesmanship: He also had quite an eye for horses. The British politician was seventy-five when he bought his first racehorse, Colonist II, who proved to be one of the most popular and remarkable horses of his era winning thirteen of twenty-four races and placing in five others. After Churchills defeat as prime minister, these were much needed victories, and they helped the elder statesman deal with his political failures. Just as importantly, the success led him to buy more horses and sparked a greater interest in the sport among the general public. The rekindling of interest mirrored Churchills own love affair with horses: One of his earliest known writings is a letter he sent to his mother in May 1882 in which he mentioned his horse, RobRoy, named after the Scottish hero. Whether or not it was one mile or more than two, the French-bred, grey colt proved that he could be just as steadfast and courageous as Churchill himself. Together, Churchill and Colonist II captured the heart of a nation.

From the Preface by David Freeman, editor of the Finest Hour, the journal of The International Churchill Society. “Fred Glueckstein knows Winston Churchill. As can be seen in the essays that follow, Fred’s Churchillian interests are both catholic and eclectic. Fred can tell us in detail about members of the Churchill family, such as the seventh Duke of Marlborough; Churchill’s mentors, such as J.E.C. Welldon, the headmaster of Harrow; and political patrons such as Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, who gave Churchill his first government office. But Fred can also tell us about the lighter side of Churchill’s life including the name of every racehorse that Churchill owned.” “Churchill knew the great families of his time, and we read about his efforts to assist the son of Theodore Roosevelt. We also learn about the people whose lives orbited that of Churchill such as several of his bodyguards." “As editor of Finest Hour, I was responsible for commissioning some of the essays that follow and having the pleasure of being the first person to read them. You will enjoy as much as I have delving into these studies in miniature of the many facets of Winston Churchill.”

Of Men, Women and Horses is a collection of stories about one of history's most enduring relationships; those of men, women and, the most noble of animals, horses. The collection includes the touching and inspiring true stories of Rosa Bonheur and The Horse Fair (1853); Capt. Myles Keogh and Comanche (1876); Anna Sewell and Black Beauty (1877); Richard Stone Reeves and War Admiral (1937); Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) and Danseuse (1940); Lt. Ed Ramsey and Bryn Awryn (1942); Gen. George S. Patton and the Lipizzaners (1945); Marguerite Henry and Misty of Chincoteague (1947); Sir Winston S. Churchill and Colonist II (1949); Dick Francis and Devon Loch (1956); Sir Alfred J. Munnings: An Artist's Life (1959), and the champion Thoroughbred race horses Exterminator (1918), Black Gold (1924), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), and Assault (1946).

Winston Churchill was known for his great love for and admiration of animals. In fact, one of Churchill’s key characteristics was his fascination with the animal kingdom—creatures of all sorts were a crucial element throughout his life. He was amused, intrigued, enchanted by, and sometimes even besotted with, a vast menagerie, from his pet budgerigar, dogs, cats, fish, and butterflies, to his own lion, leopard, and white kangaroos kept at London Zoo, and even more unusual species. Dwelling amid flora and fauna was Churchill’s ideal form of existence—“The world would be better off if it were inhabited only by animals”—and he signed his boyhood letters home “The Pussy Cat.”In this fascinating book, Dr. Piers Brendon looks deeper into Churchill’s love of the animal kingdom and at how animals played such a large part in his everyday life. We encounter the paradox of the animal-loving-hunter, who hunts foxes yet keeps them as pets, who likes fishing but loves fish, along with the man who used analogies to animals time and time again in his speeches and writings. The picture that emerges shows another side of the great man, showcasing his wit, wisdom, and wayward genius from a different perspective and shedding new and fascinating light on his love of the animal kingdom.

In this fascinating and unique biography, Dr Piers Brendon looks deeper into Churchill's love of the animal kingdom, and at how animals played such a large part in his everyday life.

The final volume of the acclaimed official biography: “A meticulously detailed and annotated account of Churchill’s declining years . . . A contemporary classic” (Foreign Affairs). The eighth and final volume of Winston S. Churchill’s official biography begins with the defeat of Germany in 1945 and chronicles the period up to his death nearly twenty years later. It sees him first at the pinnacle of his power, leader of a victorious Britain. In July 1945 at Potsdam, Churchill, Stalin, and Truman aimed to shape postwar Europe. But upon returning home, was thrown out of office in the general election. Though out of office, Churchill worked to restore the fortunes of Britain’s Conservative Party while warning the world of Communist ambitions, urging the reconciliation of France and Germany, pioneering the concept of a united Europe, and seeking to maintain the close link between Britain and the United States. In October 1951, Churchill became prime minister for the second time. The Great Powers were navigating a precarious peace at the dawn of the nuclear age. With the election of Eisenhower and the death of Stalin, he worked for a new summit conference to improve East-West relations; but in April of 1955, ill health and pressure from colleagues forced him to resign. In retirement Churchill completed his acclaimed four-volume History of the English-Speaking Peoples and watched as world conflicts continued, still convinced they could be resolved by statesmanship. “Never despair” remained his watchword, and his faith, until the end. “A milestone, a monument, a magisterial achievement . . . rightly regarded as the most comprehensive life ever written of any age.” —Andrew Roberts, historian and author of The Storm of War “The most scholarly study of Churchill in war and peace ever written.” —Herbert Mitgang, The New York Times