IN Winston's War, Michael Dobbs created a compelling portrait of the wartime Prime Minister who was, this year, voted the greatest Briton of all time.

The novel charted the 20 months of conspiracy, chance and outright treachery that, against all the odds, propelled Churchill from reviled outcast to inspiring wartime leader.

The author's new book, Never Surrender, takes the story on. It begins on May 10, 1940, when Hitler launched a devastating attack that, within days, would overrun France and Belgium and bring Britain to its knees at Dunkirk.

It charts the personal as well as political challenges that Churchill faced in this hour of need - as well as the courage and defiance that were displayed by ordinary men and women throughout three of the most momentous weeks in British history.

Next Wednesday Dobbs will be in York to sign copies of his new book at Waterstones in High Ousegate at 2.30pm, then at Borders in Davygate at 3pm.

Updated: 08:54 Wednesday, October 29, 2003