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The Second World War: Alone cover art

The Second World War: Alone

By: Sir Winston Churchill
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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Summary

"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.

Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:

1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy

Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:

1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy

©2008 The Estate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Succinct it most definitely isn't, but then if your legendary bulldog-breed leadership had won the war you'd probably take your time about it. It was originally published in six volumes (now you see why Norman Stone is the lick), but Churchill himself abridged it to four, each lasting around 10 hours. I meant to get Volume 1, but never mind - I'm riveted by events between March 1940 and July 1941, especially Hitler's detailed plans to invade Britain by laying a narrow corridor of mines under the Channel. Though without Christian Rodska's wonderful voice - dare one say it's better than Churchill's - I might just have dozed off during the statistical bits."( The Guardian)

What listeners say about The Second World War: Alone

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Stirring account told by a master storyteller

Although we know the final outcome of the Second World War this is a moving account of the dark days when Britain was going it alone against the odds told by the man who held the country together and inspired such heroism and sacrifice by the population at home and service-men and women. It makes one proud of our parents or grand-parents generation who were so stoical and brave. It must have been a frightening time of great uncertainty with many set-backs until Hitler's fatal blunder of invading the Soviet Union. Churchill's words and speeches are still powerful and uplifting and this book brings home just what a knife-edge Britain was on during the prelude to the aborted invasion of Britain by Hitler and the debt we owe to the young airmen who fought in the Battle of Britain.
As in the first part of this quartet of books, Christian Rodska does an excellent job of the narration.

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14 people found this helpful

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Another cracker

I’ve long avoided Churchill as an author for his long-winded language and slow narrative. But I have to admit now that I’ve been wrong to do so: these audiobooks are gripping, in their own way, and Churchill’s strengths and weaknesses are all laid bare: his certainty, his pomposity, his his generous praise and his indomitable scorn. To hear first hand from the one observer of the whole war who was so intimately involved is a treat: a treat made all the better by a reader who really captures his “inner Winston”. A delight, warmly recommended.

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12 people found this helpful

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A bit biased against Hitler

An excellent book, but no attempt made to see things from Hitler's point of view.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I was unable to put this now until the end. Within a few days of downloading it I had it finished, which really will not do because what do I listen to until my next credits arrive? I enjoyed it a little less than volume 1 because this deals with a period of many depressing defeats. (Volume 1 had me raging against the folly of the inter war years.) I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the series. I enjoyed the quality of the reading.

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9 people found this helpful

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Great insight into the politics of war

Whatever your views on Churchill and he certainly had some reprehensible views, his diary is a great insight into the mechanics of leading a country in an asymmetric war. If I have one criticism it’s that I’d hoped he’d cover some of the secrets decisions and dilemmas (e.g. ultra and Coventry). It may be that there were written too soon and it wasn’t declassified. But this is an absorbing listen masterfully narrated by the wonderful Christian Rodska. Highly recommended.

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Compelling first hand detail of war strategy

An excellent view of how Churchill directed the war. Transports the reader back to that time and chillingly portrays the danger and the fear and the resolve. Brings history to life.

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Top Man

Magnificent.
Winston Churchill, the man for England and the free world.
Magnificent book.
Highly recommended.

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Strategy and operative details until O.Barbarosa

Loved it, educative and fun. Narator brings back sharp fast s.V.C. voice and emotions like bitternes toward opponents.

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Uplifting

Great to see history recounted by a proud English man of world renown., bravo Sir Winston.

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Churchills second world war

Unless you are a student of the second world war or can remember the second world war you will find this hard going

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