OK, peeps; Dad had mentioned in passing to Mom that he'd like "a book on Churchill" for his birthday; I was, like, his actual writings (which I would prefer he read) or a biography, but I think he's tilting to biography.
I've read his granddaughter's "Churchill Wanted Dead or Alive", which was a decent work of his immensely fascinating early years, as well as Lukacs' short works on the War years, but I haven't read his larger tomes.
I'd like to hear recommendations on more comprehensive bios. Knowing my Dad, shouldn't be too academic: even though he enjoys Beevor, I think he prefers to read more accessible authors, like Massie and Philbrick, guys like that.
So have at you.
The Roy Jenkins biography's got a great rep. I've not read it but his biography of Gladstone's brilliant.
Here's a review:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2001/oct/14/biography.politicalbooks
Jenkins biography is comprehensive and good. John Keegan's "Winston Churchill" is good as well, it's under 200 pages so it's concise and to the point, short and sweet. Here it is on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Winston-Churchill-Life-Penguin-Lives/dp/0143112643/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334982107&sr=8-1
Manchester's stuff is great. Jenkins is a good single volume read.