The Last Lion: Defender of the Realm is the final volume of William Manchester’s trilogy about the life of Winston Churchill. It is currently being completed at the request of Manchester by Paul Reid, a former feature writer for Cox Newspapers.
WOOHOOO!!!!!
Last summer, I read the first two of a three-part biography by William Manchester of Winston Churchill. Each book is, christ, about as long as War and Peace. Manchester died before finishing the third book, and every thing I read on the net after finishing the second book seemed to support the notion that the third book would be left unfinished, and unpublished.
Then, tonight, I came across some new information while scanning Manchester’s wikipedia page. I, of course, don’t know if it’s accurate, but I certainly hope so.
I love the line: “is likely to be published posthumously.” Well, duh. If Manchester’s dead, it can’t be published any other way, now can it?
Winnie has always been one of my favorite historical figures, although I can’t say I have agreed fully with his politics, especially regarding Ireland. Manchester was one of best, if not the finest, historical writers/biographers in the last century. Put the two together and there can’t be a much better read.
Comment by Sometimes Saintly Nick — September 15, 2007 @ 1:13 am
Maybe he’s using a ghost writer.
Comment by nessa — September 15, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Well, in the event Christ returns prior to publication and Manchester is resurrected, it would throw the whole notion of “posthumous publication” into a tizzy!
Comment by Frank Shannon — April 21, 2009 @ 6:47 am
Hang onto your hats the third book will be published in 2010. Mr. Manchester had already done all the research and only needed a writer of the highest caliber to tell us the rest of the story. He got a good one in Paul Reid. It will be good. Don’t miss this one!
Comment by Richard C. Geschke — June 19, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
Richard – I’m very excited for it!
Comment by MalSnay — June 19, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
Just an update on Mr. Reid. He is in the process of finishing the third and final book on the Manchester trilogy. As far as I know 2010 is the target for publication. Final editing should be in the early part of 2010. Hopefully publication will take place in the last quarter of 2010.
Comment by Richard C. Geschke — October 15, 2009 @ 10:55 pm