“I had not before encountered this sort of ambition, unabashed frankly egotistical, communicating it’s excitement, and extorting sympathy.

It was not that he was without the faculty of self-criticism. He could laugh of his dreams of glory and he had an impish fun.”

Unnamed journalist from the Manchester Guardian. The Rest is History podcast episode 241, Young Churchill: Prisoner and Fugitive

That from The Rest is History podcast, with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. The backstory here is young Churchill is traveling on a ship with a journalist from the Manchester Guardian. After spending a few days observing young Winnie this was his brilliant description.

Ambition combined with the ability to laugh at one’s self. Potent mix, that.

Listen to more exquisite Rest of History pods below:

653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4) – The Rest Is History

Who did Samuel Johnson fall in love with towards the end of his life, and why did it break his heart? How did it enrage his old friend James Boswell? And, why did he fear imprisonment in an asylum…? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the fascinating, but devastating conclusion of the life of one of Britain’s greatest men, and the completion of his immortality…  Advertise with us: Partnerships@goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan  Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude  Executive Producer: Dom Johnson  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1. 653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4) 01:07:08
2. 652. London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3) 01:04:55
3. 651. London’s Golden Age: Sex and Scandal in Georgian Britain (Part 2) 01:08:46
4. 650. London’s Golden Age: The Mad Life of Dr Johnson (Part 1) 01:05:32
5. 649. The Fall of the Incas: The Last Emperor (Part 6) 01:12:25