This remarkable new portrait of Churchill reveals the crucial influences that shaped his character - and the way his character in turn affected his decisions and actions As one of the most admired political leaders of the twentieth century, Winston Churchill holds iconic status in popular memory. But in this incisive new biography, acclaimed historian Richard Holmes offers a remarkable reappraisal of Churchill by examining the influences that shaped his character. Drawing upon never-before-seen materials such as letters between the young Churchill and his parents, Holmes paints the most complete portrait to date of the man who stood up to Hitler and led his people to victory against all odds. Detailing the decisive events of Churchill's life - from his childhood to his experiences in the Boer War through his rapid rise in politics - Holmes demonstrates the central role Churchill's character played in the key decisions of his public life. With an already inflated sense of self, Churchill had several lucky escapes in combat - in the Boer War and the trenches of World War I - convincing him that he was saved for a reason and was destined for greatness. In The Footsteps of Churchill uncovers a surprisingly different Churchill - both admirable and difficult - through the lens of his character.