My Early Life
Encyclopedia
My Early Life: A Roving Commission is a 1930 book by Winston Churchill
. It is an autobiography from birth in 1874 up to approximately 1902.
A significant portion of the book covers his experiences in the Second Boer War
which he earlier described in London to Ladysmith via Pretoria
(1900) and Ian Hamilton's March
(1900), together with descriptions of other campaigns he had previously written about; The River War
(1899) concerning the reconquest of Sudan
and The Story of the Malakand Field Force
(1898) in today's Pakistan
. The book also describes his childhood and schooldays, and events between those he had previously published.
The introduction notes that Churchill endeavoured to write the book from his point of view at the time of the events, but it contains different commentaries on the events described in the other books, many of which were originally written as contemporary newspaper columns. From his perspective of writing in 1930, he notes that he has 'drawn a picture of a vanished age'. The book also notes an observation by the French ambassador to Britain between 1900 and 1920, that during his time a silent revolution had occurred which totally replaced the ruling class of Britain.
The book was published after the Conservative Party lost the 1929 election
and consequently Churchill ceased to be a member of the government. He occupied himself instead writing a number of books, which together with public speaking was his chief source of income throughout his life. However, most of My Early Life was written during the parliamentary recess in the summer of 1928. He wrote to Stanley Baldwin
, "I have had a delightful month - building a cottage and dictating a book: 200 bricks and 2000 words per day."
The first English edition published by Thornton Butterworth in October 1930 sold 11,200 copies, and the American edition published by Charles Scribner's Sons sold 6,600. Scribner's titled the book by the name of its UK subtitle, A Roving Commission. It was translated into thirteen languages. It has been considered by some to be his best book and one of the outstanding works of the 20th century. This is because it was deliberately written to be much shorter than his typical books, with a slight sense of irony and an intention to entertain. It contains a certain level of self-mockery alongside criticism of others he encountered. Unlike some other of his works, it did not seek to prove any particular point.
The book includes an observation made upon the death of his nanny
. He wrote "She had been my dearest and most intimate friend during the whole of the twenty years I had lived."
The film Young Winston
was based on this title.
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. It is an autobiography from birth in 1874 up to approximately 1902.
A significant portion of the book covers his experiences in the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
which he earlier described in London to Ladysmith via Pretoria
London to Ladysmith via Pretoria
London to Ladysmith via Pretoria is a book written by Winston Churchill. It is a personal record of Churchill's impressions during the first five months of the Second Boer War. It includes an account of the Relief of Ladysmith, and also the story of Churchill's capture and dramatic escape from the...
(1900) and Ian Hamilton's March
Ian Hamilton's March
Ian Hamilton's March is a book written by Winston Churchill. It is a description of his experiences accompanying the British army during the Second Boer War, continuing after the events described in London to Ladysmith via Pretoria.-Writing:...
(1900), together with descriptions of other campaigns he had previously written about; The River War
The River War
The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan is an 1899 book by Winston Churchill, concerning his experiences as a British Army officer, during the Mahdist War in Sudan....
(1899) concerning the reconquest of Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
and The Story of the Malakand Field Force
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
The Story of the Malakand Field Force: An Episode of Frontier War was an 1898 book written by Winston Churchill; it was his first published work of non-fiction.-Writing:...
(1898) in today's Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The book also describes his childhood and schooldays, and events between those he had previously published.
The introduction notes that Churchill endeavoured to write the book from his point of view at the time of the events, but it contains different commentaries on the events described in the other books, many of which were originally written as contemporary newspaper columns. From his perspective of writing in 1930, he notes that he has 'drawn a picture of a vanished age'. The book also notes an observation by the French ambassador to Britain between 1900 and 1920, that during his time a silent revolution had occurred which totally replaced the ruling class of Britain.
The book was published after the Conservative Party lost the 1929 election
United Kingdom general election, 1929
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***...
and consequently Churchill ceased to be a member of the government. He occupied himself instead writing a number of books, which together with public speaking was his chief source of income throughout his life. However, most of My Early Life was written during the parliamentary recess in the summer of 1928. He wrote to Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
, "I have had a delightful month - building a cottage and dictating a book: 200 bricks and 2000 words per day."
The first English edition published by Thornton Butterworth in October 1930 sold 11,200 copies, and the American edition published by Charles Scribner's Sons sold 6,600. Scribner's titled the book by the name of its UK subtitle, A Roving Commission. It was translated into thirteen languages. It has been considered by some to be his best book and one of the outstanding works of the 20th century. This is because it was deliberately written to be much shorter than his typical books, with a slight sense of irony and an intention to entertain. It contains a certain level of self-mockery alongside criticism of others he encountered. Unlike some other of his works, it did not seek to prove any particular point.
The book includes an observation made upon the death of his nanny
Nanny
A nanny, childminder or child care provider, is an individual who provides care for one or more children in a family as a service...
. He wrote "She had been my dearest and most intimate friend during the whole of the twenty years I had lived."
The film Young Winston
Young Winston
Young Winston is a 1972 British film based on the early years of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The film was based on the book My Early Life: A Roving Commission by Winston Churchill. The first part of the film covers Churchill's unhappy schooldays, up to the death of his father...
was based on this title.