As a young man Winston Churchill set out to become a hero, to make a name for himself in the public eye as a soldier and so make possible a life of politics and statesmanship. There were many chances to fail and many close calls in the face of sword, spear and bullet along the way. Yet Churchill survived and succeeded- an early measure of his courage and stubborn will that the world would come to know so well in the Second World War. This is the first full-length, fully-researched biography of Churchill's colourful military career. Using an unrivalled range of sources, and with previously unpublished photographs, and detailed maps by Sir Marin Gilbert, it brings vividly to life Churchill's motives, abilities, experiences, successes and failures, and his unswerving sense of destiny as an officer in the British Army. The result is a story to echo the man himself- rich in action, courage, charismatic self-belief, patriotism and humour. AUTHOR: Douglas S. Russell was educated at Grinnell College, The Defense Language Institute, and The University of Iowa College of Law. He served in the United States Army, Military Intelligence. He is a retired Judge of the Iowa District Court and lives in Iowa City, Iowa, USA. He is the author of the acclaimed The Orders, Decorations and Medals of Sir Winston Churchill. He is married to Susan M. Feeney and the proud step-father of Cybil, Liz, Mindy and Kyle. 27 b/w illustrations