While Away with Winston
Lords of Finance Discussion Part Two
Title: Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World
Author: Liaquat Ahamed
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Economics/ History
Length: 508 pages
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”
Winston Churchill. That quote is really intense! But we’ve all heard it, I’m sure. And everyone knows the name Winston Churchill, has a basic idea of what he looks like, and knows where he belongs in history. Everyone knows he’s great. But beyond one little paragraph of description and some quotes you’ve heard, how much do you actually know?
The second installment of the Lords of Finance posts is in regards to Parts 2&3 of the book. Actually, it’s in regards to the parts in those parts that talked about Winston Churchill. It was during these segments that I realized how much I didn’t know about him at all.
All of my knowledge of the man prior to this book was based in a few intense quotes, a lot of school propaganda, and a few character appearances in Doctor Who episodes. Frankly, prior to reading this book I didn’t feel much inclined to study up on Churchill, I mean could he be any cooler than how he is portrayed in Doctor Who? I doubt the real Churchill had a direct line to The Doctor or any time traveling space alien for that matter. But obviously, one must move on from fictional portrayals and out of context quotes at some point in their life – and Ahamed makes me want to.
While I was reading about the “turbulent pushing busybody Winston” with his silk underwear, champagne, and Havana cigars, I immediately remembered a story I heard about him once. Someone once told me that Winston Churchill
So mid sentence, I left my toddler at the kitchen table putting together a completely unrelated paper penguin craft, and took a look at my library shelves. I have one biography and two books written by him. The books look like they belong to a set, a familiar set that I took home impulsively pieces at a time; but now that I am looking at them with curious research eyes they seem completely foreign and magical.
I still have much to read about The Bankers Who Broke the World, but a little visit with The Last Lion would be nice. What do you know about Churchill? Would you be interested in reading up on the great man with me?
Follow this link to read the next installment in the Lords of Finance discussion.
Anakalian Whims 
Economic Education | Anakalian Whims said,
March 2, 2013 at 1:10 am
[…] Next Lords of Finance Discussion Installment […]
Krystal Wight Armstrong said,
March 2, 2013 at 7:06 am
I would be interested in reading more about him with you! And I probably don’t know much more than you did, about him. But from what I do know, I’m a great fan. Most of it comes from watching war-time related things that interested my husband, and the movies and a few books & History Channel shows that brought him up. There was a little taught during the London leg of our short European Art Tour. And oh yes, I went to Winston Churchill High School where there were murals of him and his quotations & such! But I’m with you, that I’m sure it would be quite rewarding to go deeper into studying the man. What do you propose?
Anakalian Whims said,
March 2, 2013 at 3:13 pm
I want to start by reading The Last Lion by William Manchester. I already have a copy. If that’s good for you, message me when you have a copy too.
Churchill, the Power to Tax, and the Federal Reserve | nebraskaenergyobserver said,
March 26, 2013 at 11:02 am
[…] While Away with Winston (anakalianwhims.wordpress.com) […]
BookerTalk said,
July 29, 2014 at 9:04 pm
I’d actually never heard that quote before! What I know about him comes from a combination of documentaries and tv programs and a book I read last year about his speeches. I can’t commit to joining you with a read a along sorry but will be interested to see what you discover