June 22, 2015

Finest Hour 110, Spring 2001

Page 44

By Re-review by David Freeman

Winston S. Churchill, 18741965: A Comprehensive Historiography and Annotated Bibliography, by Eugene L. Rasor. Bibliographies of World Leaders, No. 6. Westport, CT, Greenwood Press, 706 pages, published at $115, member price $95.

Professor Rasor’s book (reviewed last issue by Christopher M. Bell, page 38) is most definitely not suited to the dealer and collector of books. Neither is it intended to be. This is a scholar’s tool, of the sort in which its publisher specializes. In this respect the book succeeds admirably. The bibliography may indeed be filled with errors, but it exists to support the historiographic survey that makes up the first, and by far the more important, half of the book. Each title in the bibliography is assigned a number which is used as a cross-reference in the historiography. Factual errors exist in both halves of the book, but these are not significant enough to detract from the fact that Rasor has produced an indispensable guide.

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To begin with, Rasor identifies and provides contact information for all major archival institutions with holdings relevant to Churchillian research. No errors here, and even this experienced researcher is grateful to have this knowledge brought together for easy reference. But Rasor provides much more: He catalogues other bibliographies, in addition to guides, indexes, encyclopedias, and periodicals, which supply Churchill-related information. There is an entry for the Churchill Center website, and guides to virtually every significant political, military, royal and family personality with whom Churchill ever interacted.

The heart of the work considers Churchill’s career from a variety of thematic perspectives with chapters focusing on Churchill as a leader, politician, writer and artist as well as his role in major events such as the world wars and Russian or American relations. One chapter guides readers to books associated with major controversies. Another outlines areas for future research. Rasor even considers biographies of Churchill by listing titles in a spectrum format that ranges from the hagiographic to the malicious.

What we have then is a starting point that encourages people to think by providing a kaleidoscope of ways for approaching Churchill studies. There is something here both for the beginner and the specialist. Sure there are mistakes and omissions. A work of this type is subjective by nature, and good scholars always check their facts against other sources before producing a finished product. Rasor’s book, nevertheless, belongs in the libraries of institutions and of individuals serious about studying Churchill.

Editors response:

As both a dealer and collector of books I find Rasor’s work extremely useful: in describing volumes I am cataloguing, and in guiding me to works of which I am unaware. But will someone please explain to me why a book rife with errors, omissions and red herrings is more acceptable to a scholar than to a dealer or collector? Good scholars should indeed check their facts against other sources before producing a finished product.

Prof. Bell responds

I never suggested that Professor Rasor’s new bibliography was without merit. I said it is an important and valuable work, containing “a wealth of useful information for scholars, students and Churchill enthusiasts,” and currently “the best reference book available on the vast literature about Winston Churchill.” Indeed, because the book is very good in many respects, I felt it necessary to draw attention to its shortcomings. To have done otherwise would have been to fail in my duty as a reviewer.

I think Professor Freeman is wrong about Rasor’s section on archives, which I did not find particularly useful, even if there were no outright errors in it (which only means he got all the addresses correct—given all the other errors, I think I would want to verify those addresses). He does list the obvious archives, but he rounds it out with places that either have little on Churchill or little that is archival. I was going to mention this in the original review, but would have had to verify the holdings of many of the places he lists to be able to state with confidence exactly what they have.

In my opinion the book’s errors and omissions are so numerous as to detract significantly from its value as a scholarly tool. That should not deter people from buying it, much less from using it. My review was meant to enable readers to decide whether this is a book for them—and, more importantly, whether they can accept its rather hefty price tag (albeit at a $20 CC discount). I agree with Mr. Freeman that Rasor’s book belongs in the libraries of institutions and individuals serious about studying Churchill. I also want them to know what they are getting for their money, and where they need to use the book with caution. Caveat emptor.

Mr. Freeman earned his Ph.D. in modern British History from Texas A&M University, and teaches at California State University, Fullerton.