Play Audiobook Sample
The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 2: Alone, 1932–1940 Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.01) - 1,864 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
This second volume in William Manchester’s three-volume biography of Winston Churchill challenges the assumption that Churchill’s finest hour was as a wartime leader. During the years 1932–1940, he was tested as few men are. Pursued by creditors (at one point he had to put up his home for sale), he remained solvent only by writing an extraordinary number of books and magazine articles. He was disowned by his own party, dismissed by the BBC and Fleet Street and the social and political establishments as a warmonger, and twice nearly lost his seat in Parliament. Churchill stood almost alone against Nazi aggression and the British and French pusillanimous policy of appeasement.
Manchester tracks with new insights this complex, fascinating history without ever losing sight of Churchill the man, a man whose vision was global and whose courage was boundless.
Download and start listening now!
"Churchill was a man of true grit and perseverance, and his story is covered beautifully in this second volume of his biography. This volume chronicles the time of his political exile due to the stubbornness of his opinions and their lack of popularity with the rest of the MPs. As we all know, he rises to glory, apotheosized for his clairvoyance on the Nazi threat and proven capability as a military leader."
— Greg (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Manchester is not only a master of detail but also of ‘the big picture’…I daresay most Americans reading The Last Lion will relish it immensely.”
— National Review -
“[Manchester] can claim the considerable achievement of having assembled enough powerful evidence to support Isaiah Berlin’s judgment of Churchill as the largest human being of our time.”
— Alistair Cooke -
“A triumph…Equal in stature to the first volume of the series.”
— Newsday -
“William Machester gives us a revealing portrait of a world about to come to a boil and a man about to become a symbol of of time.”
— David Willis McCullough -
“The second volume in Manchester’s masterly three-part biography…limns as well as lionizes the aging Tory during his political exile…An eloquent and evenhanded appreciation.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Awards
-
A #1 New York Times bestseller
-
National Review’s 100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Century
The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 2 Listener Reviews
-
—
John Welch, 11/1/2024
-
—
ted nutt, 2/19/2024
-
" It was very interesting and I enjoyed it very much. Although it was very long book, it was extremely specific and factual. "
— Alexw, 2/15/2014 -
" a brilliantly written account of Churchill pre Wwii. also acquaints one w the major players in Britian in the years leading to WW2. "
— Scarlett, 2/13/2014 -
" if you love biographies, get this one (both vol. 1 and 2). the most soaring prose that rivals that of churchill himself. read especially the love letters to his wife, they revealed a side of churchill mostly unknown to the public and moved me to tears. "
— Thomas, 2/1/2014 -
" An engaging read. Unfortunately Manchester died before he finished the third volume of the Churchill Biography "
— Jack, 1/18/2014 -
" Fantastic study of WSC. Gearing up for volume 3 by Paul Reid. "
— Simon, 1/17/2014 -
" Remarkable telling of Winston Churchill's wilderness years. "
— Thomas, 1/7/2014 -
" Churchill's years out of power in a very readable version by Wm. Manchester. "
— Holley, 1/4/2014 -
" Simply put in one word: Outstanding. "
— Dan, 1/4/2014 -
" The definitive Winston Churchill biography. "
— Lawrence, 12/2/2013 -
" This man had remarkable persistence despite very few believing him. The style wasn't my favorite. "
— Candace, 11/30/2013 -
" Part 2 of 2, "The Last Lion" is an amazing biography of one histories most influential characters that provides detail enough for you to feel that you know Churchill personally. "
— Nate, 10/24/2013 -
" good read if Churchill fan. Not so good if not "
— Jonnie, 9/11/2013 -
" Great book about a great man. "
— Kenneth, 8/3/2013 -
" What biography should be: thorough, detailed, and engaging. This has it all. "
— Richard, 1/23/2013 -
" A long read - but worth it. "
— Fred, 12/3/2012 -
" The story of Winston Churchhill - the title says it all as Churchill sticks to his principles and works with FDR to defeat Hitler and save western civilization...not a bad way to be remembered, when you think about it ! "
— Andrew, 11/18/2012 -
" A surprising amount of struggle for someone who seemed to have it all. "
— Jeanne, 10/31/2012 -
" Very interesting review of Churchill's life as he became Prime Minister and his struggles through World War II to save England. Long but worth the time "
— Miles, 8/25/2012 -
" was published first in 1988 . great style of writing and this book brought more people to churchill than any other . but purple prose and hiostorical mistakes are in this book . book number three is yet to be published. "
— Gilbert, 6/11/2012 -
" Great read. Great man. "
— Marc, 9/11/2011 -
" what these books did NOT talk about was the fact that churchill was a racist bastard. i guess it's just ~the times~ "
— Victoria, 8/21/2011 -
" One of my all-time favorite biographies. Manchester's research and analysis are always insightful and original, and his writing is almost as good as Churchill's. "
— Ben, 2/28/2011 -
" Boring as hell, had to put it down. "
— Terrie, 2/19/2011 -
" Of course it was good; it was part of the same story as the last one! Now anticipating "Defender of the Realm" by Paul Reid, Manchester's friend whom he commissioned to complete the final volume about ten years ago. "
— Daniel, 2/13/2011 -
" was published first in 1988 . great style of writing and this book brought more people to churchill than any other . but purple prose and hiostorical mistakes are in this book . book number three is yet to be published. "
— Gilbert, 2/7/2011 -
" Churchill's life in the public eye---how he came to be Prime Minister. Interesting to know that he was defeated 3 times to Parliment, yet became Prime Minister. His social skills somewhat lacking as he dated or corresponded with his wife. He never gave up and that in the end was what mattered. "
— Trudy, 7/3/2010 -
" Very interesting review of Churchill's life as he became Prime Minister and his struggles through World War II to save England. Long but worth the time "
— Miles, 6/16/2010 -
" Very awesome account of how one should stick to their convictions no matter how unpopular, especially when those convictions are well-founded. Highly recommend to World war II, British Politics, and History enthusiasts. "
— John, 1/30/2010 -
" Phenomenal – unfortunately Manchester died before writing the planed third and final volume. "
— Chip, 1/15/2010 -
" Great book about a great man. "
— Kenneth, 1/3/2010 -
" The internal battles for power and developing a course to deal with Hitler "
— Daryl, 11/22/2009 -
" extraordinarily detailed account of the low, mid-point of Churchill's career. "
— Robert, 9/18/2009
About William Manchester
William Manchester (1922–2004) was an award-winning American author, biographer, historian, and a professor emeritus of history at Wesleyan University. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal and the Abraham Lincoln Literary Award. Among his many New York Times bestselling books are two which made the #1 spot on the list: The Death of a President and The Last Lion: Alone.
About Richard Brown
Richard Brown (1937–2005) (a.k.a. Joseph Porter), was a former ballet dancer, actor, and popular audiobook narrator. Born in England, Richard came to the United States early in his career and performed with numerous regional ballet companies. After retiring from the ballet, he pursued a career in acting and recorded dozens of audiobooks for numerous publishers.