Lincoln & Churchill: Statesmen at War
Lewis E. Lehrman
Stackpole Books (2018)
An intimate analysis of two supreme commanders “at the summit of human endurance — namely, wars of national survival”
Lewis Lehman offers what is, in my opinion, the single best source for an nalysis of what he characterizes as “the crucial qualities of character and leadership in the lives of Lincoln and Churchill…My aim is this study is simple and straightforward — to consider both great men in an intimate comparison of their roles of suprreme command at the summit of human endurance — namely, wars of natiopnal survival.
To an extent I did not realize before reading this book, Lincoln and Winston Churchill shared at much in common but there were differences. For example, Lincoln was born dirt-poor whereas Churchill was an aristocrat. Lincoln was 6’4′; Churchill was 5’6”. Lincoln’s foes were domestic; some of Churchill’s political foes were but his military foes were foreign. Lincoln was thoughtful and considerate with his cabinet and staff; Churchill was at times insufferable with his cabinet and staff. Lincoln was a populist; Churchill was an elitist. Successes under Lincoln’s political and military leadership created almost unlimited opportunities for the Union — once preserved — to achieve geographic expansion and settlement as well as unprecedented economic prosperity; Churchill served as the last prime minister when the British Empire was intact and among the world’s greatest powers.
That said, they were masters of the English language and used it skillfully to earn and then sustain pthers respect, trust, and support of them. Both were obsessed with preserving their country, whatever that required. Both had thick hides. Both outworked everyone with whom they associated. Lehrman observes, “Churchill and Lincoln, unlike most politicians, were fundamentally guided by principle. Colleagues noticed they often became lost in their private thoughts as they reasoned through the evidence and the logic of a problem.”
These are among the hundreds of passages of greatest interest and value to me, also listed to suggest the scope of Lehrman’s lively as well as rigorous and eloquent narrative:
o Timeline before the Civil War (Pages 8-9)
o Churchill’s relationships with staff (15-17, 240-243, and 333-336)
o Churchill’s friendships (30-32)
o Language and vocabulary of leaders (32-33, 80-84, and 136-137)
o Churchill’s obstinacy (37-38)
o Appeasement of Conservative Party; resistance of appeasement (44-46)
o Lincoln’s writings and speeches: an overview (50-53)
o Winston Churchill assuming office as Prime Minister (55-57)
o Lincoln’s diplomatic experience (95-98)
o FDR’s relationship with Churchill (101-103)
o DeGaulle on Anglo-American relations (103-105)
o Churchill’s communications style (107-108 and 136-137)
o Lincoln’s cabinet, “the team of rivals” (129-130, 133-136, 140-142, and 177-179)
o Salmon P. Chase (134-135 and 325-326)
o Lincoln’s management style: approach to generals 155-161, 189-193, 315-316, and 320-325)
o General George B. McClellan (158-161, 211-212, 3a15-316, and 450-451)
o General Archibald Wavell (192-197 and 200-204)
o General Claude John Eyre Auchinleck (205-206 and 220-227)
o Churchill’s showmanship (268-270)
o Surrender at Appomattox (285-286)
o Political defeat of Churchill in 1945 (306-309)
o General Alan Brooke on Churchill (340-342)
o Brooke’s frustration with Churchill (344-348)
o Genius of Winston Churchill (362-363)
o Epilogue (371-383)
It occurred to me while re-reading this book that its “Epilogue” could also serve as a briefing before a first reading. I suggest you consider that option.
It is important to keep in mind that Lewis Lehrman limits his attention to Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill as supreme commanders during a war that threatens their country’s survival. There is a wealth of biographical information included but this is not a dual-biography, nor is it a dual history of the two wars. Pages 385-503 attest to the material is research-driven. More to my main point, discussions of the two great leaders…warts and all…make them more interesting as flawed human beings. What I call the “Rushmoean” approach dehumanizes the subject of a biography. Lincoln and Churchill were seriously imperfect human beings who nonetheless achieved greatness as leaders when their respective countries had greater need of it than at any prior or subsequent time.
To Lewis Lehrman, a hearty “Bravo!”