If one examines only Churchill's first term in office, during the bulk of the Second World War, he's an easy five stars, and probably a couple more. However, when one examines his second term, the legend declines rapidly.

He was certainly great wartime leader, and immensely important not only in keeping Britain alive and in the war until the U.S. finally got around to it nearly two years later. Not only his now legendary oratory, but his seeming ability to understand Hitler from a distance were key factors in the early years of the war.

During his second ministry, however, he was plagued with problems with which he did not deal well. The decline of British colonial power, and events like the Malayan insurgency, the Mau Mau's and the Iranian coup were all dealt with in rather ham-fisted fashion by Churchill, who was clearly far better as a war leader than a peace leader. He was widely seen, not just by modern historians, but by the observers of the day and by many prominent members of his own party as incompetent in peace.

One of the most influential leaders in history. Easily the greatest of these. Led Britain to victory with his many great motivating and inspiring speeches. Such as, "We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."