September 28, 2024

Phil Reed and Anthony Richards, Winston Churchill in 100 Objects, Pen and Sword, 2024, 224 pages, £25. ISBN 978–1805000242

Review by BRIAN KRAPF

For many years I have seen these 100 Objects books written on a variety of historical topics and always approached them with a bit of skepticism. How can a discussion of the Great War be reduced to 100 objects? Or, similarly, how can one appreciate Napoleon or the Beatles in 100 objects? My skepticism disappeared as I read through this new work by Phil Reed and Anthony Richards. They have produced a beautiful book that will pique the interests of Churchillians of all ages and levels of study. 

Many Churchillians will know Reed as Director Emeritus of the Churchill War Rooms. Indeed, Phil’s decades-long dedication to the preservation of history was nationally recognized with an OBE awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Richards has worked at the Imperial War Museum for more than twenty years and is highly regarded as a qualified archivist and published historian. We are fortunate that these two gentlemen combined their knowledge, skill, and talent to produce this new book in time for the Churchill sesquicentenary.

The 100 objects presented here were hand selected by the authors from the finest Churchill-related venues in Britain. They cherry picked a wonderful variety of items and photos from the archives of the Cabinet War Rooms, Blenheim Palace, Chartwell, the Churchill College archives, and the Imperial War Museum in order to present Churchill’s multi-faceted life. Each selection is unique. The book begins with a lock of Churchill’s red hair, cut while he was a toddler. There follows a biographical timeline that includes a poster from when Churchill first stood for Parliament in 1900, the telephone he used as First Lord of the Admiralty during the Great War, the pistol and periscope he carried in the Great War trenches, a bespoke siren suit from the Second World War, Churchill’s iconic black Bowker hat, and—naturally—one of his preserved cigars.

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I found it interesting that the authors also chose to include historical items not belonging to Churchill himself but related to his public service, such as Lawrence of Arabia’s agal (headrope) and Gandhi’s eyeglasses. Similarly, illustrations include Churchill-related landmarks, such as the statue in Parliament Square and the Bond Street bench, where many of us have posed for photographs. Including these object serves to round out the Churchill story and allow readers to grasp onto some familiarity.

Each chapter begins with a short essay by Reed or Richards about the items presented and their historical context and relevance. The authors also include amusing and intriguing anecdotes. It all flows beautifully. Whether you are just beginning your Churchillian journey or have been on it for a while, you will enjoy reading this book and will learn somthing about the Great Man you probably did not already know.

Brian Krapf is author of A Churchill Treasury: Sir Winston’s Public Service through Memorabilia (Pen and Sword, 2024).