A New York Times Book Review notable book of 2017, this dual biography explores the lives of Winston Churchill and George Orwell, who both played crucial roles in preserving democracy from the threats of authoritarianism. In the mid-1930s, both men faced near-fatal incidents—Orwell was shot in the neck during the Spanish Civil War, while Churchill was struck by a car in New York City. Had they died then, history would likely have forgotten them. At that time, Churchill was a sidelined politician, with his loyalty to his class and party in question, and Orwell was a moderately successful novelist. No one could have predicted that by the end of the 20th century, they would be recognized as two of the most significant figures in British history for their vision and courage in tirelessly campaigning against totalitarian threats from both the left and the right.