The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 2: Alone, 1932–1940 Audiobook, by William Manchester Play Audiobook Sample

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 2: Alone, 1932–1940 Audiobook

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 2: Alone, 1932–1940 Audiobook, by William Manchester Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Richard Brown Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 24.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 18.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 1990 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781483078380

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

83

Longest Chapter Length:

64:57 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:16 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

26:18 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

15

Other Audiobooks Written by William Manchester: > View All...

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.

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"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

Overall Performance: 4.42424242424242 out of 54.42424242424242 out of 54.42424242424242 out of 54.42424242424242 out of 54.42424242424242 out of 5 (4.42)
5 Stars: 21
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — ted nutt, 2/19/2024
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An engaging read. Unfortunately Manchester died before he finished the third volume of the Churchill Biography "

    — Jack, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fantastic study of WSC. Gearing up for volume 3 by Paul Reid. "

    — Simon, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Remarkable telling of Winston Churchill's wilderness years. "

    — Thomas, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Churchill's years out of power in a very readable version by Wm. Manchester. "

    — Holley, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Simply put in one word: Outstanding. "

    — Dan, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The definitive Winston Churchill biography. "

    — Lawrence, 12/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This man had remarkable persistence despite very few believing him. The style wasn't my favorite. "

    — Candace, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " good read if Churchill fan. Not so good if not "

    — Jonnie, 9/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book about a great man. "

    — Kenneth, 8/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What biography should be: thorough, detailed, and engaging. This has it all. "

    — Richard, 1/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A long read - but worth it. "

    — Fred, 12/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A surprising amount of struggle for someone who seemed to have it all. "

    — Jeanne, 10/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great read. Great man. "

    — Marc, 9/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Boring as hell, had to put it down. "

    — Terrie, 2/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Phenomenal – unfortunately Manchester died before writing the planed third and final volume. "

    — Chip, 1/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book about a great man. "

    — Kenneth, 1/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The internal battles for power and developing a course to deal with Hitler "

    — Daryl, 11/22/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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.