I do not wish to withdraw or modify a single word.

I have in my life concentrated more on self-expression than self-denial.

I feel devoutly thankful to have been born fond of writing.

They [the dictators] are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home – all the more powerful because forbidden – terrify them.

I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary British sentence – which is a noble thing ... I would let the clever ones learn Latin as an honour, and Greek as a treat. But the only thing I would whip them for is not knowing English.

In the Spring of 1899, I became conscious of the fact that there was another Winston Churchill, who also wrote books; apparently he wrote novels, and very good novels, too ... I received from many quarters congratulations on my skill as a writer of fiction. I thought at first that this was due to a belated appreciated of the merits of Savrola.

I have consistently urged my friends to abstain from reading it.

Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy, then an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master, and then it becomes a tyrant and, in the last stage, just as you are about to be recon- ciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.

In December 1931, Churchill embarked on another tour in the US, this time a lucrative lecture tour But this trip almost wiped out his life, not just his fortunes On a...