Listen to Legacy from Wondery and Goalhanger Podcasts. Each season, historian Peter Frankopan and broadcaster Afua Hirsch tell the wild stories of the most extraordinary men and women to have ever lived – and ask whether they have the reputation they deserve.

Winston Churchill is a towering figure in British history. Born into an aristocratic family, he began his career as a soldier and war correspondent before entering politics. He was an early champion of social reform, and became Prime Minister in 1940 during Britain's darkest hour in World War II. His stirring speeches and indomitable spirit in the face of insurmountable odds helped lead the Allies to victory.

However his views on empire and race have come under increased scrutiny in recent years, not to mention his role in the Bengal famine of 1943. Despite these controversies, Churchill remains a pivotal figure in 20th-century history, honoured for his crucial role in defeating fascism and shaping the post-war world.

In this clip, Churchill faces unimaginable horrors in Cuba - but what’s an English soldier doing in a Spanish colony?

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