Winston Churchill's great escape

"When we usually think of Winston Churchill, we think about him in World War II," said author Candice Millard.

People remember his imposing figure, his signature hat and the oh-so-quotable lines he tossed off with astounding regularity: "If you're going through hell, keep going." "The price of greatness is responsibility." "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."

But Millard's new book, "Hero of the Empire," gives a little-known view of the world leader in his early years, when he was all raw ambition with little political power. Millard joined MPR News host Tom Weber to describe his rise to fame.

The book delves into Churchill's escapades during the Second Boer War, when he was covering the conflict in South Africa as a journalist.

"He's 24 years old, and this is his fourth war, on three different continents. He's already written three books. He's already run for Parliament and lost. He's already packed into his first 24 years much more than other people do in an entire lifetime," Millard said.

Churchill had been fascinated by war since childhood.

"He did love war. That's without question," she said.

As a child, he had a collection of 1,500 toy soldiers, and his family touted their connection to the storied first Duke of Marlborough, considered to be one of England's greatest generals.

Churchill saw "war as a vehicle toward political power later on. He called it the 'glittering gateway to distinction,'" Millard said. In South Africa, he was looking for a chance to prove himself.

The year was 1899, and it was "the height of the British Empire. They ruled over 450 million people. What that meant is they were constantly putting down revolts, from Egypt to Ireland. This gave Winston Churchill a lot of opportunity: He could pick his battle anywhere in the world."

The Boer War was a clash between the British and the Boers, the descendants of Dutch settlers who had lived in South Africa for centuries. The Boers wanted independence, but the discovery of gold and diamonds on their land fueled the conflict. The Boers succeeded in beating back the British during their first confrontation, but 20 years later, they met again for the Second Boer War.

Churchill was there as a news correspondent. Itching for action, he volunteered to board an armored train bound for the frontline.

His bold move landed him in captivity and kicked off a story of adventure and escape continued in "Hero of the Empire."

For the full interview with Candice Millard on Winston Churchill, including more about his time in South Africa, use the audio player above.