These “reflections” are very much a reflection of the man who wrote them: they belong to two worlds. The “yesterday” world that writer Stefan Zweig spoke about admirably in one of his works, and the more contemporary world, which promised its people “blood and tears.” This gives the reader a strange impression of encountering two characters in one. Winston Churchill, whose works have recently been published by Editions Tallandier in a second collection after the one devoted to his “youthful years,” continues to perplex us: he is capable of the most conservative approaches, absolutely “British Empire,” but he also demonstrates, a few lines later, an extraordinarily modern vision of the meaning of history. Notably, these pages written back in 1930 and titled “Parliamentary Government and Political Economy” where the young MP already explains that the “nation is not interested in politics but in economic problems… having essentially obtained what it desired in politics, and what it asks for today is more money, more leisure, an assured job, increasing comfort, and material prosperity.” A few pages further, the author extends his thoughts on financial economics that contemporary economic intelligence would not deny: “we are facing new forces… there is an immense network of cartels and trade agreements that has developed without regard to borders, national sentiment, or tax laws.” Hence, nothing can be detracted from this striking analysis!
Furthermore, the future Prime Minister of His Majesty delights us when he freely gives rein to his considerations, as the happy habits of his century invited him: thus, he comes to regret, similar to the expression of the English poet John Morley about the century of “empty thrones,” that his own “no longer knows how to produce heroes.” An expression which poorly conceals the secret expectations of his unique destiny.
The man can also baffle us with his charming naivety, his astonishingly Faustian side, particularly in the text chosen to introduce this collection: “If I Were Given to Relive My Life.” A chapter where he develops the very Kunderian idea of a man who constantly questions himself with each step taken, tirelessly retracing his course by an imagined reconstruction after the fact, all with a paradoxical dose of determinism. Strange passage of this politician almost believing in divine signs, remembered that in 1940, he felt “wings flying over him” as the political opportunities leading him to the highest offices contrasted with the disaster approaching Great Britain. His development on “constancy in politics” is certainly worth all the manuals of Mazarin, explaining in an almost debonair tone that, political realism obliging, the contradiction of ideas must give way to changing circumstances: “Say vigorously what you think today! Tomorrow, say just as vigorously what tomorrow makes you think, even if it contradicts everything you said today.”
Moreover, the pages on “the German Empire,” particularly the account of historical interest of his participation in the Wurzburg maneuvers and his ability to observe changes in German tactics, are worth relishing. Just as inspiring are his reflections on the archaisms and resistances of the Royal Navy at the beginning of World War I to the introduction of naval escort meant to protect convoys of civil ships from the Atlantic from attacks by German submarines—a way to remind us that “politics must always dominate military power.” His day with President Clemenceau—who mispronounces his surname—narrated in the mode of a trophy won in a hard fight, his penchant for balloon rides that nearly proved fatal, are among the most endearing anecdotes contained in these “Reflections and Adventures.” One learns a lot, meditates often, and smiles at every page so much are the remarks sometimes picaresque. All good reasons to acquire this booklet!
Winston Churchill, “Reflections and Adventures,” Coll. “Texto,” Editions Tallandier, 2008.
