In this landmark biography, Andrew Roberts provides a deeply personal and historically rich portrait of Winston Churchill. With exclusive access to new material such as transcripts of War Cabinet meetings, diaries, letters, and unpublished memoirs from Churchill's contemporaries, Roberts reveals the hidden forces behind Churchill's legendary drive. The book explores Churchill's life in detail, from his early years to his leadership during World War II, highlighting his courage, tenacity, leadership, and moral conviction. It also discusses his complex relationships, including his interactions with King George VI and Franklin Roosevelt, and evaluates his legacy in the context of modern leadership challenges.
Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS explores the remarkable 100-year history of UPS and its founder Jim Casey, highlighting the company's unique culture and business philosophy. The book delves into UPS's transformation from a small messenger service into a worldwide icon, examining its traditional management style, strict policies, and strong employee loyalty. Written by a long-time UPS employee, it offers insights into the company's operations and its rise to global prominence.
The book chronicles the period from May 1940 to May 1941, highlighting Churchill's leadership during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. It draws on diaries, archival documents, and once-secret intelligence reports to provide a vivid portrayal of Churchill's family, including his wife Clementine, their children, and his close advisers. The narrative delves into the personal and political challenges faced by Churchill as he navigated the critical early months of World War II, emphasizing his eloquence, courage, and perseverance in the face of unrelenting horror[1][2][4].
Andrew Roberts’s 'Napoleon: A Life' is the first one-volume biography to fully utilize Napoleon’s 33,000 recently published letters, offering a radical transformation in our understanding of his character and motivation. The book portrays Napoleon as a protean multitasker, decisive, and surprisingly willing to forgive his enemies and his wife Josephine. Roberts, an award-winning historian, traveled to fifty-three of Napoleon’s sixty battle sites and discovered crucial new documents in archives, including a trip to St. Helena. The biography is praised for its magisterial, insightful, and beautifully written narrative, providing a deep and nuanced look at Napoleon’s life, successes, and failures.
Julian Jackson's biography of Charles de Gaulle provides a detailed and nuanced portrayal of the French leader, drawing on newly available archives to explore his conservative roots, his leadership during World War II, and his later presidency. The book delves into de Gaulle's complex personality and his significant contributions to French politics, including his role in founding the Fifth Republic and navigating colonial conflicts.
In 'Sam Walton: Made in America,' Sam Walton shares his personal and professional journey, from his early life in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, to the founding and expansion of Walmart. The book is a first-person account supplemented by quotes from friends, family, and colleagues. It highlights Walton's core values, such as the importance of hard work, customer satisfaction, and competitive pricing. The autobiography also provides insights into Walton's leadership style, his approach to business, and the lessons he learned throughout his career. The book was published posthumously in 1993 and offers a compelling and inspiring look at the life of one of America's most successful entrepreneurs.
In *The Apology*, Plato recounts the speech Socrates delivered at his trial, where he was charged with impiety and corrupting the youth. Socrates defends his actions and philosophy, emphasizing his duty to seek truth and wisdom as directed by the oracle at Delphi. He argues that his mission is to awaken the Athenian state from its ignorance and that he is willing to face death rather than abandon his philosophical pursuits. The dialogue is a cornerstone of Western philosophy, highlighting Socrates' method of questioning and his commitment to ethical living[1][2][4].
The World Crisis is Winston Churchill's six-volume account of the First World War, published between 1923 and 1931. The book is a mix of military history, diplomatic and political history, and personal memoir. Churchill vividly recounts major campaigns such as the Marne, Jutland, Verdun, and the Dardanelles, and provides detailed descriptions of the dawn of modern warfare, including trench combat, artillery, and chemical warfare. The work is highly personal and analytical, with Churchill justifying his role in the war and offering critiques of military strategies. It is considered one of Churchill's masterpieces and an essential read for understanding the twentieth century[1][3][5].
Authentic is a candid memoir that shares Paul Van Doren's remarkable life story and the evolution of Vans into a beloved brand. The book explores his personal journey, business lessons, and the challenges faced by Vans over six decades, emphasizing the importance of valuing people over profits. It offers insights into entrepreneurship, innovation, and perseverance.
This work is Churchill's personal and historical account of the Second World War. It spans six volumes and covers the period from the end of the First World War to July 1945. Churchill provides a detailed narrative of the events leading up to and during the war, drawing from his own experiences as a high-ranking government official and his access to official documents. The series includes volumes such as 'The Gathering Storm', 'Their Finest Hour', 'The Hinge of Fate', 'The Grand Alliance', 'Closing the Ring', and 'Triumph and Tragedy'. Churchill's work is notable for its personal perspective and its emphasis on the British war effort, although it also touches on other theatres of the war. The books are considered a seminal and iconic part of the historical record of World War II[2][4][5].
In 'Personal History', Katharine Graham recounts her extraordinary life, from her childhood in a wealthy but emotionally isolated family to her marriage to the charismatic Philip Graham, who struggled with manic-depression and eventually committed suicide. The book chronicles her transformation from a housewife to the chairman of The Washington Post, detailing her involvement in significant historical events such as the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal. Graham's memoir is praised for its frankness, candor, and historical significance, offering insights into her personal struggles, her professional growth, and the evolution of the women's movement and the media industry.
Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports. The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today. It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success. The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way[1][3][4].
Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography by Nelson Mandela that chronicles his early life, his education, and his 27 years spent in prison under the apartheid government. The book describes his role as a leader of the African National Congress and his involvement in the anti-apartheid movement. It also details his political ascension and his presidency of South Africa, as well as his efforts to rebuild the country after apartheid. The book is an epic of struggle, setback, renewed hope, and ultimate triumph, and it has been praised for its insight into Mandela's life and his fight for human rights and racial equality.
This book is a memoir of Paul Orfalea's journey from a struggling kid with learning disabilities to the founder of Kinko's, a company that grew into a $1.5 billion empire. It highlights his unique approach to business, emphasizing the importance of taking care of employees and creating a compassionate company culture. The book is filled with personal anecdotes, business lessons, and Orfalea's inspired aphorisms, making it a refreshing and honest look at what makes Orfalea tick.
Estée Lauder's autobiography offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and career of one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. Lauder shares her journey from humble beginnings to building a global cosmetics empire, highlighting her unwavering determination, keen business acumen, and deep understanding of customer psychology. The book is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories, showcasing her innovative marketing strategies and her ability to connect with consumers on a personal level. Her emphasis on building relationships and providing exceptional customer service remains highly relevant in today's business world. The book is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her lasting impact on the beauty industry.
Paul Johnson's biography explores Dwight D. Eisenhower's life from his modest childhood in Kansas to his appointment as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. It also delves into his presidency, highlighting his ability to balance the budget, manage Congress, and his warnings about the military-industrial complex. This book provides a rich portrait of Eisenhower's enduring legacy in American politics.
In 'No More Champagne', David Lough delves into the financial life of Winston Churchill, revealing a history of debt, gambling, and lavish spending. Despite his financial woes, Churchill managed to maintain his lifestyle through writing, investments, and strategic financial maneuvers. The book provides a unique perspective on Churchill's personal life and its impact on his public career.
What I learned from reading Churchill by Paul Johnson.
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[2:09] Churchill never allowed mistakes, disaster, illnesses, unpopularity, and criticism to get him down.
[4:19] The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson. (Founders #196)
[4:57] He wrote best-selling biographies on Napoleon, Churchill, Eisenhower, Socrates, and Mozart.
[6:39] 3 part series on Larry Ellison: Softwar: An Intimate Portrait of Larry Ellison and Oracle (Founders #124), The Billionaire and the Mechanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race, the Americas Cup, Twice (Founders #126), The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison: *God Doesn't Think He's Larry Ellison(Founders #127)
[7:40] How to Get Rich: One of the World's Greatest Entrepreneurs Shares His Secrets by Felix Dennis (Founders #129)
[8:35] On the importance of belief: I am not asking you to be Winston Churchill. None of us could be. But I do ask that you begin, right now, right at this very moment, to ask yourself whether you believe in yourself. Truly. Do you believe in yourself? Do you? If you do not, and, worse still, if you believe you never can believe, then, by all means, go on reading this book. But take it from me, your only chance of getting rich will come from the lottery or inheritance. If you will not believe in yourself, then why should anyone else?
[10:15] How did one man do so much, for so long, and so effectively?
[11:29] Reading is not a chore. Reading is theft. It is a robbery. Someone smarter than you has spent 20 years beating their head against the wall trying to solve the problem you're dealing with. You can steal that hard won knowledge and make it yours. That is power.
[12:57] Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Richard Branson (Founders #49)
[15:27] Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
[16:44] My personal email list: My top 10 highlights from Churchill.
[21:51] He had accumulated a number of critics and even enemies, and a reputation for being brash, arrogant, presumptuous, disobedient, boastful, and a bounder.
[22:22] He thirsted for office, power, and the chance to make history.
[27:29] Paul Orfalea The educational system teaches kids they have to be good at everything, or else. Out of the classroom, I've found this just isn't so. Adults have a much easier time. They get to specialize. They pick one thing. It's a whole lot easier. Copy This!: How I Turned Dyslexia, ADHD, and 100 Square Feet into a Company Called Kinko's (Founders #181)
[33:34] He is so resourceful and undismayed.
[35:00] It's amazing how much of an advantage simply not giving up can give you.
[37:28] Don’t turn your back on he who will not accept defeat.
[38:10] Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS (Founders #192)
[41:09] Really it’s a pretty simple philosophy. What you have to do is just draw a line in the dirt, and force the bureaucracy back behind that line. And then know for sure that a year will go by and it will be back across that line, and you’ll have to do the same thing again. —Sam Walton
[42:26] Shit happens. Acknowledge it. Learn from it. Forget it. Move on. —Paul Van Duren Authentic: A Memoir by The Founder of Vans (Founders #126)
[44:00] Churchill was again sent to the bottom and had to face the task of wearily climbing the ladder again, for the third time in his life. It was not so easy now he was nearing fifty.
[44:35] The World Crisis by Winston Churchill
[45:01] No More Champagne: Churchill and His Money by David Lough
[45:40] Churchill had his own version of PEDs: In those days, Churchill often took several whiffs of pure oxygen to lift him before a bout of oratory, and he traveled up with two canisters.
[47:14] He called for a premium on effort and a penalty on inertia.
[50:30] You have to work yourself into a position where you can trust your own judgment. That's all you have in life.
[52:28] Never underestimate your opponent. All downside, no upside.
[1:02:49] From Shoe Dog: I looked down the table. Everyone was sinking, slumping forward. I looked at Johnson. He was staring at the papers before him, and there was something in his handsome face, some quality I'd never seen there before. Surrender. Like everyone else in the room, he was giving up. The nation's economy was in the tank, a recession was under way. Gas lines, political gridlock, rising unemployment, Nixon being Nixon-Vietnam. It seemed like the end times. Everyone in the room had already been worrying about how they were going to make the rent, pay the light bill. Now this. I cleared my throat. "So...in other words," I said. I cleared my throat again, pushed aside my yellow legal pad. "What I'm trying to say is, we’ve got them right where we want them."
[1:08:52] We shall never surrender.
[1:10:00] Identify your most valuable asset and go all in: What’s going to win this war? Airpower.
[1:13:10] From Estee Lauder's autobiography: No community was too small for my attention, my absolutely full efforts. I had ridden, for instance, on a bus for six hours to open a small store in Corpus Christi, Texas. The store's clientele was modest in size and economics. No matter.
[1:15:22] From Personal History: In one exchange between us, I had deplored the fact that we had the bad luck to live in a world with Hitler, to which Phil responded, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s a privilege to have to fight the biggest son of a bitch in history.”
[1:16:24] Churchill had an uncanny gift for getting priorities right.
[1:16:40] He is an apostle of the offensive.
[1:20:05] Words are the only things that last forever.
[1:20:23] The Second World War by Winston Churchill
[1:21:40] Never flinch, never wary, never despair.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
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