The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 3 cover art

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 3

Defender of the Realm, 1940–1965

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The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 3

By: William Manchester, Paul Reid
Narrated by: Clive Chafer
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Spanning the years 1940 to 1965, Defender of the Realm, the third volume of William Manchester’s The Last Lion, picks up shortly after Winston Churchill became prime minister—when his tiny island nation stood alone against the overwhelming might of Nazi Germany. The Churchill portrayed by Manchester and Reid is a man of indomitable courage, lightning-fast intellect, and an irresistible will to action. This volume brilliantly recounts how Churchill organized his nation’s military response and defense, compelled President Roosevelt to support America’s beleaguered cousins, and personified the “never surrender” ethos that helped the Allies win the war, while at the same time adapting himself and his country to the inevitable shift of world power from the British Empire to the United States.

More than twenty years in the making, The Last Lion presents a revelatory and unparalleled portrait of this brilliant, flawed, and dynamic leader. This is popular history at its most stirring.

©2012 John Manchester, Julie Manchester, Laurie Manchester, and Paul Reid (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Europe Great Britain Historical Military Politicians Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State War Western Europe Winston Churchill Royalty Imperialism British Empire Self-Determination Interwar Period Submarine Soviet Union Franklin D Roosevelt Imperial Japan Biography Africa Refugee Middle Ages Russia Latin American United Kingdom Socialism Holocaust
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Critic reviews

“Clive Chafer’s presentation is outstanding, with his mellow British accent remaining authentic and easy on the ear throughout. Pacing is everything in a book of this length, and Chafer’s perfect tempo moves the text briskly along while allowing listeners to absorb the riveting details. He employs the lightest touch with pace and tone to indicate shifts from narrative to quoted material. This pairing of gifted authors and expert narrator turns an initially intimidating audiobook into that perfect choice for a long winter’s listen. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

(AudioFile)

“Churchill was the greatest man of the last century, and this is the greatest biography of him.”

(John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author)

“The final volume is…majestic and inspiring.”

(People)

“A must-read finale.”

(USA Today)

“This book is superb. It has tremendous pace, rich detail, and immense drama.”

(Washington Post)

“Brilliant and beautiful, evocative.”

(Boston Globe)

“Masterful…[with] the detailed research, sharp analysis, and sparkling prose that readers of the first two volumes have come to expect.”

(Associated Press)

“Masters the details and sweep of an extraordinary story.”

(Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

“This is surely the best installment of the [series]…a winning, full-blooded biography.”

(Newsday)

“Magnificently delineated…The story of Churchill and Britain in the Second World War…is vividly evoked by Manchester and Reid.”

(Winnipeg Free Press (Canada))

“The long-delayed majestic account of Winston Churchill’s last twenty-five years is worth the wait.”

(Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Churchill is revealed, warts and all, as a complex man…The great majority of this volume is devoted to the war, which most will agree encompassed Churchill’s finest hours… Manchester’s magnum opus.”

(Library Journal (starred review))

“Discover the steadfast courage and military brilliance of Winston Churchill…when he alone faced the threat of Nazi Germany.”

(BookPage)
All stars
Most relevant

Would you listen to The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 again? Why?

Some day, but given I just spent over 50 hours in 2 weeks listening to it, not for a while

What did you like best about this story?

A great man with a great task, achieved

What does Paul Reid and Clive Chafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Being read the book was a luxury that allowed me to consume it whilst driving, doing chores, and a dozen different tasks, where I couldn't possibly have read the text in the amount of reading time I would have in those 2 weeks

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it is the greatest tale of the modern age - World War II, and Churchill's own part in it

Any additional comments?

On first listening to the book I thought it slightly monotone, with a poor impersonation of Churchill by the narrator. As it continued, I became blind to the tone, and found what I had considered to be an 'impression' was in fact a reading with metre and cadence that allowed Churchill's words to be read in the gravitas the man himself had. Simply a great book I couldn't stop listening to - sometimes 7 hours in a day. I wish I'd known the first 2 books weren't available on the UK site, but knowing what I do now I would still have got the book

Masterpiece

FIRST AND SECOND EPISODE NOT AVAILABLE ON UK SITE

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At over 53 hours, this is a vast undertaking to listen to, let alone to have written. It starts just before Churchill takes power in May 1940 and ends with his death. The earlier volumes were written by William Manchester alone, whilst this is written almost entirely by Paul Reid, using the notes compiled by the dying Manchester.

With good narration, this is a competent telling of the great man's story, rich in detail. It is written with an American audience in mind, covering most key moments well. I say "most", as there are some that I feel lack some relevant detail. An example would be the machinations around Churchill's appointment in 1940, the rumblings of revolt amongst the establishment for peace in the months after his appointment, and Yalta, which is disposed of in jarringly short order.

The years after Churchill's loss of the 1945 election are covered in the last 8 or so hours of the book. This seems too short; he was, after all, Prime Minister for much of the 1950's, and lived for a further 10 years, if increasingly frail and inactive.

Another area which lacks critical analysis is the relationship between Churchill and the Americans, especially Roosevelt. It is clear that Roosevelt handles Churchill with calculation and barely concealed cynicism. Churchill, for his part, appears extraordinarily naive in comparison, although this may be simply a realistic acceptance of his subsidiary role. This critical nexus in his life demands critical analysis, especially when so much of the book describes these dealings in detail. Perhaps this is hard for an American to do, perhaps Paul Reid's relative inexperience meant he had his hands full just getting all of this down.

Nevertheless, these are minor criticisms given the scale of the work. It rams home what a wonderful, full life this great man led.

Mammoth biography

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brilliant, long before the end , I felt like I really knew the man. a one in a billion man.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the narrator, his accents when defining the different characters is subtle and nuanced, he let the story tell itself without getting in the way. an excellent narrator.

Manchesters finest hour

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Thoroughly absorbing and insightful. A long listen but then if you consider how much this Great Leader crammed into those years of his life, to maintain our freedom, I guess a few hours is nothing for the listeners. Highly recommended !

A Great Story, A Great Briton and A Great Leader !

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This was a very long and in depth look at the life of Winston Churchill from his own perspective. It was put together beautifully and I loved the Churchill iteration when the words were from direct speech. It clearly showed the dry and acerbic sense of humour that was a constant throughout Churchill's life. As subtle or un-subtle as it seemed to be depending on the occasion.
I would recommend this book with anyone who has an avid interest in the life and times of Winston Churchill

A fantastic insight

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