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Audiobooks > Biography & Autobiography >  Presidents & Heads of State > The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 1: Visions of Glory, 1874–1932

Download The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 1: Visions of Glory, 1874–1932 Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 1: Visions of Glory, 1874–1932 Audiobook, by William Manchester Click for printable size audiobook cover
3.99800697558545 out of 53.99800697558545 out of 53.99800697558545 out of 53.99800697558545 out of 53.99800697558545 out of 5 4.00 (2,007 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: William Manchester Narrator: Frederick Davidson Publisher: Blackstone Audio Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: December 2007 ISBN: 9781455169757
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Winston Churchill is perhaps the most important political figure of the twentieth century. His great oratory and leadership during the Second World War were only part of his huge breadth of experience and achievement. Studying his life is a fascinating way to imbibe the history of his era and gain insight into key events that have shaped our time.

In political office at the end of WWI, he foresaw the folly of Versailles and feared what a crippled Germany would do to the balance of power. In his years in the political wilderness from 1931 to 1939, he alone of all British public men continually raised his voice against Hitler and his appeasers. For over fifty years, he was constantly involved in, and usually at the center of, the most important events of his age. It was, however, his obduracy on matters of principle, his fortitude in the face of opposition, and his perseverance in standing alone that defined him.

As a biographer, William Manchester is the standard by which all others are measured. And when a writer of his caliber is matched with a subject as colorful as Winston Churchill, look for results that are magisterial. This, the first in a three-volume biography, is a momentous piece of work.

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Quotes & Awards

  • “[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, New York Times bestselling author

  • “Adds a grand dimension…Rich in historical and social contexts.”

    Time

  • “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

  • “Superb.”

    Chicago Tribune

  • “Bedazzling.”

    Newsweek
  • A New York Times Bestseller
  • National Review’s 100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Century

Listener Opinions

  • 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Franklin | 4/10/2017

    " If you want to find out why Winston Churchill became what he became, listen to this. This first volume lets us in on the early formative years of WC. His relationship with his father and mother are explored rather deeply. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kit Redmond | 2/17/2014

    " Winston Churchill led one of the most fascinating lives that spanned the 19th and 20th century. He participated in one of the British Empire's last cavalry charges. His political life was a wild roller coaster ride of amazing triumphs and crushing defeats. This book and the following volume "The Last Lion - Winston Spencer Churchill- Alone 1932-1940 are well worth the time invested. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Greg | 2/14/2014

    " His bio series on Winston Churchill is masterful. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Cristin | 2/9/2014

    " I could not put it down. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Byron Gordon | 2/7/2014

    " Well written biography about a fascinating man. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Craig | 2/7/2014

    " One of the greatest biographies ever written of one of the most amazing lives of all time. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Shy | 2/7/2014

    " Churchill is a fascinating person and Manchester brings him to life. Very well written. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Terri | 2/2/2014

    " Manchester's works give us a view of the man and his time. An easy enthralling book about an enthralling man. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 First Last | 1/10/2014

    " Wonderful (book 1 and 2). Manchester fills the book with plenty of period information in addition to Churchill bio detail, as well... "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Nick Turner | 12/24/2013

    " A biography of am amazing man, eccentric, clear minded, determined and brave beyond measure. His image is still powerful today and shapes for many the essence of Britishness. A great book ..essential reading. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Victoria | 12/21/2013

    " i am obsessed with these books. at times they get tedious but it's just me; i don't really care about war tactics or whatever. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Matt | 11/15/2013

    " Churchill is a badass. Who knew? "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kristy Powers | 10/22/2013

    " Great book. Was absorbed throughout the 883 pages and learned a lot. Even the acknowledgments at the end are fascinating. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Claire | 10/8/2013

    " One of the greatest biographies I've ever read -- and it doesn't even touch his time as PM. Manchesters writing is unbelievably good and Churchill's life is even more impressive than you thought. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Nathan | 10/3/2013

    " One of the best biographies I have ever read. It's really insightful in a non-boring way. I just read in the news that 1 in 4 British teens don't believe Churchill ever existed. It's really too bad that people can't teach their kids about such a great man. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Stephanie | 9/16/2012

    " It only took me three months (over the holidays, too), but it was well worth the time and concentration. An excellent biography of the early Churchill years. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Tim | 6/3/2012

    " Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant -- but not as brilliant as Volume 2. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Asher Fried | 5/18/2012

    " A bio that rivals the best fiction. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 John | 5/14/2012

    " Excellent but The Last Lion (sequel) is even better. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Dan Mazur | 4/26/2012

    " Simply put in one word: Outstanding. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Janis | 3/20/2012

    " Thorough. Very thorough. Thankfully, the subject is fascinating. I learned so much about Churchill and his era (much of it surprising) and enjoyed the book so much that I just made a commitment to an equally long and dense Vol. 2. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Allison | 2/10/2012

    " Leaves me speechless. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 David Hile | 11/4/2011

    " An amazing story of an amazing man. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Stephen | 5/17/2011

    " Very well written book. I feel like I've known Winston Churchill. Does not read like a text book, William Manchester puts you in Churchhill's shoes and lets you live out churchhills life. I am looking forward to reading the next two volumes. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jean | 5/6/2011

    " This is a great biography with lots of anecdotes and meticulously researched. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Asher | 3/14/2011

    " A bio that rivals the best fiction. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Brian | 3/13/2011

    " Far and away the best biography I've ever read. I didn't want it to end. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Ben | 2/28/2011

    " 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. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Shy | 2/28/2011

    " Churchill is a fascinating person and Manchester brings him to life. Very well written. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Carolyne | 2/17/2011

    " I knew I was reading this series to get the World War II. A commitment of thousand of pages before I would get there. And it is worth it. I love this flawed, stubborn, amazing, and courageous man. This is THE Bio to read. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Daniel | 2/13/2011

    " Exhaustive research by a personal acquaintance resulted in this series, the first two of which are complete and the third will be forthcoming hopefully this year. Great historical education and adventuresome narrative that kept me turning the pages. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 M. | 2/13/2011

    " A very literate biography of one of the greatest politicians of the 20th century. Contains some fascinating information about his mother and extensive information on World War I and India. I look forward to reading volume 2. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Bryan | 9/15/2010

    " Wonderfully detailed account of Churchill's formative years and his experiences in WWI. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Trudy | 7/3/2010

    " Winston Churchill's early life. His young life quite lonely and void of his parents. His nanny gave him the love and attention he so needed. It was quite insightfull to the the man. "

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About the Author

William Manchester (1922–2004) was an award-winning American author, biographer, historian, and a professor emeritus of history at Wesleyan University. Among his many New York Times bestselling books are A World Lit Only by Fire; The Glory and the Dream; American Caesar; Goodbye, Darkness; and The Last Lion, a multivolume biography of Winston Churchill. He was also a recipient of the National Humanities Medal and the Abraham Lincoln Literary Award.

About the Narrator

Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.

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