#319 The Making of Winston Churchill Part 1

David, the host of the Founders podcast, delves into the remarkable early life of Winston Churchill, emphasizing Churchill's extraordinary self-confidence and relentless pursuit of greatness. Highlighting Churchill's participation in four wars and his unfulfilled quest for military glory, David narrates Churchill's belief in his destiny to lead Britain, a conviction that drove him to escape from a Boer War POW camp. The story, sourced from Candace Millard's "Hero of the Empire," showcases Churchill's audacity, his reliance on others for a successful escape, and his eventual rise to fame. David also discusses a product called Vesto, the Founders AMA feed, and recommends an episode of "Invest Like the Best," while sharing his anticipation for a live show in New York City.

• David emphasizes the extraordinary self-confidence of Winston Churchill compared to other individuals covered on the podcast.
• Churchill's self-assured nature was evident in his youth and set a high bar for confidence levels.

"Winston Churchill may be the most self-confident young man that I've ever studied on the podcast."

The quote illustrates Churchill's exceptional self-confidence, which David finds remarkable even when compared to other historically confident figures discussed on the podcast.

• Vesto is a financial tool that helps businesses invest idle cash, particularly in treasury bills.
• David has founder friends who utilize Vesto for better treasury management and extending business runway.
• David personally knows the founder, Ben, and endorses Vesto based on his impressive capabilities.

"Vesto makes it easy for you to invest your business's idle cash."

The quote summarizes Vesto's purpose, highlighting its ease of use for businesses to manage and invest their funds.

• David encourages joining the Founders AMA feed for direct communication and personalized responses.
• Members can promote their work and gain access to exclusive AMA episodes.
• The Founders community offers an opportunity for learning and networking.

"Members can email me questions directly... I read every single one of those emails myself."

David is inviting listeners to engage with him personally through the Founders AMA feed, emphasizing the direct and personal interaction members can expect.

• David recommends episode 336 of "Invest Like the Best" with Jeremy Giffin, focusing on special situations in private markets.
• David and Patrick, the host of "Invest Like the Best," are planning a live show in New York City.

"It's episode 336 with my friend Jeremy Giffin. It's called Special Situations in private markets."

The quote is a recommendation from David for an episode of another podcast, suggesting its valuable insights.

• Churchill's early life was marked by participation in wars and a lack of significant military recognition.
• He viewed the Boer War as an opportunity to distinguish himself and fulfill his destiny of national leadership.
• Despite being unprepared and alone in enemy territory, Churchill's unwavering belief in his greatness propelled him.

"He didn't have a weapon, a map, a compass, or even any food."

This quote illustrates the dire circumstances Churchill faced during his escape in the Boer War, underscoring his determination and self-belief.

• David discusses Candace Millard's book "Hero of the Empire," which covers Churchill's life up to age 26.
• The book emphasizes the theme that belief precedes ability, as Churchill was convinced of his future as prime minister.
• Millard's portrayal of Churchill's personality and motivations provides insight into his relentless pursuit of glory and political power.

"By the time Winston Churchill is 24, he is utterly convinced that it is his destiny to become prime minister of England."

The quote captures Churchill's strong conviction in his personal destiny, which is a central theme of Millard's biography.

• Churchill's desire for personal courage and fame was driven by his interest in war and the British Empire's global dominance.
• His ambitions were unconventional for someone of his high social class, demonstrating a Rooseveltian rather than Victorian character.

"There is no ambition I cherish so keenly, he said, as to gain a reputation for personal courage."

Churchill's statement reveals his deep-seated ambition for courage and recognition, which motivated his actions throughout his military career.

• Churchill leveraged his aristocratic background to create opportunities for military and political advancement.
• His unabashed self-promotion and indifference to criticism were key to his pursuit of fame and political influence.
• Churchill's actions on the battlefield reflected his belief in his destiny and disregard for personal safety.

"Winston advertises himself as simply and as unconsciously as he breathes."

This quote epitomizes Churchill's natural tendency to self-promote, which was integral to his strategy for achieving fame and political power.

• Churchill's strong belief in his star and destiny to achieve greatness was evident in his actions and writings.
• His self-belief bordered on megalomania, with a conviction that he was too important to die in battle.
• Churchill's behavior in combat was intentionally conspicuous, seeking to be noticed and remembered.

"I have faith in my star, he said, that I am intended to do something in the world."

The quote underscores Churchill's unwavering belief in his personal destiny, which guided his decisions and actions throughout his life.

• Historical entrepreneurs were inspired by Napoleon and Churchill, despite neither being typical entrepreneurs.
• Entrepreneurs before and after World War II were motivated by these figures, with Churchill becoming more prominent post-war.
• The study of these historical figures helps understand the mindset behind some of the most successful company founders.

"If you study the history of entrepreneurship, two people that didn't start companies, they're not typical entrepreneurs, are mentioned over and over again by history's greatest entrepreneurs."

This quote emphasizes the influence of historical figures like Napoleon and Churchill on the entrepreneurial mindset, despite their different paths.

• Churchill's self-belief was profound and unshaken by adversity.
• He interpreted events in his life as affirmations of his destiny.
• Despite setbacks, his confidence in his abilities and his future remained steadfast.

"I don't believe the gods would create so potent a being as myself for so prosaic an ending."

Churchill's quote reflects his strong self-belief and the notion that his life was meant for greatness, not mediocrity.

• Churchill sought glory in war to leverage it into a political career.
• He voluntarily left the army to pursue public office, aware of the risks.
• His initial attempt at running for office was unsuccessful, but it did not deter his ambition.

"It is not without some misgivings that I let go of my toe rope, he said, and commit myself unaided to the waves of life's oceans, propelled only by my own machinery."

Churchill acknowledges the uncertainty of leaving the military for politics, metaphorically describing it as sailing into life's ocean without support.

• Churchill was known for his oratory skills, which were honed through relentless practice.
• He did not possess natural public speaking abilities but developed them through perseverance.
• Churchill's reputation for wit and speech-making was the result of meticulous preparation.

"Although he would become famous for his sharp wit, Churchill was also uncomfortable addressing an audience unless he had carefully written and exhaustively rehearsed every line of his speech."

This quote highlights Churchill's dedication to preparing his speeches, showing that his public speaking prowess was a product of hard work.

• Churchill was influenced by his family's history and the legacy of his ancestor, John Churchill.
• He felt a strong sense of obligation to live up to the expectations set by his family's past.
• His family's palace, Blenheim, served as both inspiration and a painful reminder of his ambitions.

"We shape our buildings, he said, and then our buildings shape us."

Churchill believed that the environment, like his family's palace, played a role in shaping one's character and destiny.

• Churchill became the best-paid war correspondent in England, leveraging his writing talents.
• His self-assuredness extended to his literary abilities, which he believed in strongly.
• His experiences and observations as a war correspondent influenced his views on military strategy and preparedness.

"My literary talents do not exist in my imagination alone."

Churchill was confident in his writing abilities, which were validated by the success of his published works.

• Churchill observed the arrogance and overconfidence of British military officers during the Boer War.
• He noted the Boers' preparedness and their advantage in knowing the terrain and being skilled marksmen.
• The British underestimation of the Boers led to significant losses and served as a lesson in humility.

"Whatever waves of panic the British army might have imagined, the reality was starkly different."

This quote reflects the contrast between the British army's expectations and the reality of the Boers' readiness and capability.

• The Boers were always ready for war, with no need for a standing army or uniforms.
• Their culture emphasized marksmanship and survival skills from a young age.
• The Boers' way of life made them formidable opponents, deeply committed to defending their land.

"They were the finest mass of rifle-armed horsemen ever seen, Churchill wrote, and the most capable mounted warriors since the Mongols."

Churchill admired the Boers' martial prowess, comparing them favorably to the legendary Mongol horsemen.

• The British military's predictability was exploited by the Boers.
• Churchill's takeaway from observing the Boers was the importance of being unpredictable and adaptable.
• The Boer War provided insights into military strategy and the consequences of overconfidence.

"I don't ever want anyone to be able to guess my next move."

Churchill internalizes the strategic advantage of unpredictability, influenced by his observations of the Boer War.

• The British army was unprepared and predictable in their tactics.
• They did not blend into their environment and made themselves easily identifiable to the enemy.
• British officers insisted on maintaining a conspicuous presence on the battlefield, making them targets.

"And he does some weird things where he decides he refuses to make himself blend in. In fact, he goes out of his way to make sure that the enemy knows who he is."

The quote highlights the British army's counterintuitive tactic of making themselves easily visible to the enemy, which is an example of poor military strategy.

• The Boers were familiar with the terrain and used it to their advantage, while the British lacked local knowledge.
• Boers prioritized mobility and speed over carrying extensive supplies, contrasting with the British's slower, possession-heavy approach.

"In comparison to the astonishing mobile Boers who were able to wage war with little more than men, horses and guns, and to move from battlefield to battlefield at a moment's notice, the British army moved at a glacial pace, weighed down by the sheer number of its possessions."

This quote illustrates the difference in strategy, with the Boers favoring speed and mobility, which proved more effective than the British's burdened approach.

• British uniforms were not suitable for the local climate and made soldiers easy targets.
• The Boers wore simple attire and used the environment for camouflage, highlighting the British failure to adapt.

"To the Boers, however, even the khaki uniforms seemed elaborate, if not ridiculous. British officers wore high peaked pitch helmets that shaded their eyes from the sun, but were hot and uncomfortable and made easy targets for boar sharpshooters."

The quote describes the impracticality of British uniforms, which were not only unsuitable for the climate but also made them more vulnerable to Boer sharpshooters.

• Churchill acted boldly and took risks to get to the front, unlike other war correspondents.
• He saw being a war correspondent as an opportunity to be part of the action, not just to report it.

"A man should get to the front at all costs. For every 50 men who will express a desire to go on service, there is only about one who really means business. And he will take the trouble and run the risk of going to the front."

The quote reflects Churchill's belief in the importance of taking risks and being proactive to achieve one's goals, particularly in the context of war reporting.

• The Boers viewed war as a serious and deadly trade, not an adventure.
• They focused on practical tactics and survival rather than seeking glory.

"For the Boers, war was not an exciting adventure, but the cold, cruel, inescapable business of life."

This quote encapsulates the Boers' pragmatic view of war as a harsh reality that requires a businesslike approach to ensure survival and success.

• The British army eventually learned the importance of using cover and blending in with the environment.
• They adapted some Boer tactics to improve their chances in battle.

"We are learning lessons every day from the boar. We are getting to know his game and learning to play it ourselves."

This quote shows the British army's acknowledgment of the Boers' superior tactics and their willingness to adapt those strategies for their own benefit.

• Churchill was captured by the Boers but admired their civility and compassion towards prisoners.
• The Boers' treatment of prisoners was humane, allowing them certain freedoms and comforts.

"He was struck by the civility of the men, meaning the people that had taken him captive, the boars."

The quote reveals Churchill's surprise at the respectful treatment he received from his captors, which contrasted with the harsh conditions typically associated with being a prisoner of war.

• Churchill despised the loss of control that came with captivity and was determined to escape.
• He planned his escape meticulously, despite the risks and lack of resources.

"Churchill would allow nothing to distract him from his one overriding, all consuming goal, escape."

The quote emphasizes Churchill's single-minded focus on escaping captivity, demonstrating his resilience and determination.

• Churchill's escape was characterized by boldness and a disregard for caution.
• His guiding principle was always to act with more audacity, which he applied even in escape.

"I said to myself, always more audacity."

This quote exemplifies Churchill's belief in the effectiveness of bold action, which guided his decisions even in the most perilous situations.

• Churchill had an appointment for a shave which he forgot, leading to his discovery as missing.
• The barber's insistence and refusal to leave alerted the guards to Churchill's escape.
• Churchill's absence created a stir within the camp, leading to a search.

"So the way he's discovered is because he had forgotten that he had made an appointment for a shave, and the barber was going around, couldn't find him anywhere."

This quote highlights the inadvertent cause of Churchill's absence being noticed, which was his forgotten appointment for a shave, leading to the barber's persistent search.

• Churchill was alone and praying despite not being religious.
• At 25, he faced life or death, paralyzed with indecision.
• He wandered, jumping on and off trains, until he saw a lit coal mine.

"Churchill had escaped... he finds himself in hiding. And he spends the night praying. And he said he prayed long and earnestly."

The quote reflects Churchill's desperation and resort to prayer in his dire circumstances, despite his usual lack of religiosity.

• Churchill knocked on the door of John Howard, an Englishman who could help.
• Howard's presence in the area was due to a German-owned mine.
• Government searches and a printed picture campaign increased Churchill's notoriety.

"By an incredible stroke of luck, Churchill knocked on the door of John Howard, the mines manager and one of the few Englishmen who had been allowed to remain in the area during the war."

This quote underscores the fortuitous encounter between Churchill and John Howard, which was pivotal to Churchill's survival and escape.

• Churchill was hidden in a dark mine stall, then in a secret office space.
• He was an avid reader despite being a poor student, finding solace in books.
• His love for reading persisted throughout his life.

"He wasn't well liked by the other boys, and his parents had all but abandoned him. So he was left with few places to turn for solace and friendship. The greatest pleasure I had in those days was reading."

The quote reveals Churchill's solace in reading during his youth, which was a lifelong habit, and hints at his difficult childhood relationships.

• Churchill relied on others' help to escape, facing the death penalty if caught.
• A plan was devised using wool bales to conceal him on a train.
• Charles Burnham, a shopkeeper, took personal responsibility for Churchill's safety.

"Other people had, they had to go to great lengths to help him escape, or he would have never happened."

This quote emphasizes the crucial role others played in Churchill's escape, highlighting the collective effort and risks involved.

• Churchill was hidden in a cramped space with limited provisions.
• Burnham's role included bribing guards and ensuring Churchill's concealment.
• Churchill's audacity was evident when he celebrated crossing the border with gunfire.

"The train would have to stop at several stations along the way. And Burnham knew that it would be inspected by armed guards. Someone would have to intervene."

The quote illustrates the logistical challenges and dangers involved in Churchill's escape, and Burnham's critical role in navigating these obstacles.

• Churchill and Burnham had to reach the British consulate without being recognized.
• Churchill's arrival at the consulate was dramatic and assertive.
• The consul general's recognition marked the end of Churchill needing to introduce himself.

"Instantly filled with outrage and fury, Churchill did not even acknowledge the fact that the secretary had spoken. Shouting at the top of his lungs, he simply repeated his demand, insisting that he see the council personally at once."

This quote captures Churchill's assertiveness and determination upon reaching the consulate, which would become characteristic of his bold personality.

• The podcast concludes with an encouragement to read the full story in a book.
• A recommendation is made to support the podcast by purchasing the book through a provided link.

"For the full story, I highly recommend buying the book."

The final quote serves as a call to action for listeners to engage further with Churchill's story by reading the recommended book.