One of Britain's top naval historians takes on a previously unexplored area of Churchill's wartime efforts in this much anticipated follow on to a successful study of Churchill's navy. Entirely original in his approach, Lavery considers the practicalities of transporting a prime minister through dangerous skies and across hostile oceans in a time of global war. Readers learn that like most of the British war effort, Churchill's voyages were under-planned and improvised.

The many firsthand accounts that are included offer an intimate portrait of the man through the eyes of his travelling companions, ministers and top military officers, and secretaries and typists, as well as the ship and aircraft crews responsible for his safety.

The book concludes with an examination of the legacy of the voyages, especially with regard to air travel and developing world statesmanship.