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Winston Churchill Audiobook
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(3.08) - 356 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
"[Keegan is] the best military historian of the world."—Tom Clancy When today’s world leaders require inspiration and strength in times of crisis, they often invoke Winston Churchill. The son of a member of Parliament, Churchill, a poor academic student, wanted to be a solider early in life. At this he succeeded brilliantly, fighting fearlessly on the frontiers of the British Empire but eventually being captured. His escape from a South African prison camp led him to national fame and catapulted him into a life of politics. The eminent historian John Keegan charts Churchill's career, examining his steadfast leadership during the catastrophic events of World War II while England was dangerously poised on the brink of collapse. With wonderful eloquence, Keegan illuminates Churchill's incredible strength during this crucial moment in history and his unshakable belief that democracy would always prevail. Keegan looks at Churchill's speeches, which are some of the greatest examples of English oratory, and identifies his ability to communicate his own idea of an English past as the source of Churchill's greatness. He also sheds light on the political climate of Churchill's time. The result is an insightful, sensitive portrait of Churchill, the war leader, and Churchill, the man.
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"Mr. Keegan did a good job IMHO, but he seems to me more of a historian than a great biographer... I loved this book because it's an acceptable "short version" of W. Churchill's life... for a first timer interested in this biography I recommend it, no doubt."
— Othon (4 out of 5 stars)
Winston Churchill Listener Reviews
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" This reads more like a history book than a biography. It would've been richer if more personal. Nonetheless an interesting history! "
— sima, 2/18/2014 -
" As a short get-to-know-you bio, it's deftly handled, and opens with a wonderful introductory essay about Churchill's greatness. That said, I find it gives short-shrift to his post-war life and career, which I personally find as fascinating as his early life. Still, in something this short, I suppose you can't ask for everything...but I do nonetheless. "
— Daniel, 2/7/2014 -
" Did not contain all that I had heard about Churchill as he was growing up. It is a short quick read of a brilliant man who was at the right place at the right times. "
— James, 2/2/2014 -
" This is a fine introductory biography, but it really doesn't serve the man justice. Churchill, love him or hate him. is too complex a personality to adequately summarize in a 200 page biography. "
— Tom, 1/15/2014 -
" Good short biography. A good read to get to know WC without reading those huge volumes the Brits like to write. "
— Yago, 1/10/2014 -
" I love history and biographies but don't often read them. I appreciated this one because it was short, well-documented and showed both his military and political careers as well as his personal life. "
— Shelly, 11/24/2013 -
" The Shelf: Accepted, until further notice. "
— London, 10/28/2013 -
" a concise and insightful look into the life of a man who changed the course of history. Well written pocket guide if you will. "
— Kai, 8/4/2013 -
" Short, very effective summary of Churchill's career. "
— Andrew, 7/13/2013 -
" Total boss. "
— Greg, 6/28/2013 -
" A good, short biography. "
— Collin, 4/5/2013 -
" For a short book Keegan slams home alot of history. Read this and you will see why Keegan is one of my favorites. "
— Kirk, 12/30/2012 -
" If you only have time in your life for 200 pages on Churchill, I guess this is it. After reading it, it's way too little for me. I've ordered Gilbert's biography. "
— Jon, 7/7/2012 -
" The second half dwells on the war and speculates as to Churchill's motives in strategic decisions, which is interesting but drier than the first half. Very interesting man and an interesting book, worth the read, which is quick. "
— Chris, 5/30/2012 -
" A revelation of the author's rediscovery of Britain's Prime Minister, through his wartime speeches. "
— Curtiss, 5/25/2012 -
" A perfect, easy to read book for those who feel under educated about the life and times of Churchill. "
— Jack, 5/24/2012 -
" Good book on Churchill. Very in depth, yet not boring. "
— Jason, 4/6/2012 -
" I learned that Winston Churchill had many struggles in his rise to power and rank in the European government as a man. It was genuinely one of the most inspiring books I have read. "
— Gevon, 3/5/2012 -
" very interesting bio "
— Lissette, 1/17/2012 -
" I didn't really know anything about Churchill and now, because of this book, I feel like I have a great solid knowledge base about this great man who brought WWII victory for the Allies. "
— Micah, 7/27/2011 -
" Acceptable summary of Churchill's life. Much better books out there on Churchill, of course. Keegan is better as a historian than as a biographer. "
— Patrick, 7/21/2011 -
" Good book on Churchill. Very in depth, yet not boring. "
— Jason, 3/16/2011 -
" I learned that Winston Churchill had many struggles in his rise to power and rank in the European government as a man. It was genuinely one of the most inspiring books I have read. "
— Gevon, 12/20/2009 -
" I didn't really know anything about Churchill and now, because of this book, I feel like I have a great solid knowledge base about this great man who brought WWII victory for the Allies. "
— Micah, 4/4/2009 -
" If you only have time in your life for 200 pages on Churchill, I guess this is it. After reading it, it's way too little for me. I've ordered Gilbert's biography. "
— Jon, 2/3/2009 -
" The second half dwells on the war and speculates as to Churchill's motives in strategic decisions, which is interesting but drier than the first half. Very interesting man and an interesting book, worth the read, which is quick. <br/> "
— Chris, 1/7/2009 -
" I love history and biographies but don't often read them. I appreciated this one because it was short, well-documented and showed both his military and political careers as well as his personal life. "
— Shelly, 8/23/2008 -
" A revelation of the author's rediscovery of Britain's Prime Minister, through his wartime speeches. "
— Curtiss, 3/21/2008 -
" Oct. 29, 2003 <br/>Mar. 23, 2010 "
— Brandon, 3/4/2008 -
" A perfect, easy to read book for those who feel under educated about the life and times of Churchill. "
— Jack, 1/25/2008 -
" There is no doubt, whatsoever that Churchill made the correct critical decisions at the right time. "
— Daniel, 12/8/2007 -
" Acceptable summary of Churchill's life. Much better books out there on Churchill, of course. Keegan is better as a historian than as a biographer. "
— Patrick, 7/21/2007 -
" Too much personal bio and not enough political, but interesting tale of Churchill’s unremarkable life until he steps into political office. "
— Ethan, 3/6/2007
About John Keegan
John Keegan is the defense editor of the Daily Telegraph (London) and Britain’s foremost military historian. He is the author of many bestselling books, including The First World War, Intelligence in War, and The Battle for History. He lives in Wiltshire, England.
About the Narrators
Kate Reading has recorded hundreds of audiobooks across many genres, over a thirty year plus career. Audie Awards: The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (mystery), Breasts (non-fiction), Bellwether (fiction), and Words of Radiance (fantasy). Among other awards, she has been recognized with: the ALA Booklist best of 2019 for Bowlaway (fiction), AudioFile Magazine Voice of the Century, Earphones Awards, Narrator of the Year, Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Publisher’s Weekly’s Listen-Up Award. She records at her home studio, Madison Productions, Inc., in Maryland.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.