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Churchill

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Churchill

By: Roy Jenkins
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

 Winston Churchill is an icon of modern history, but even though he was at the forefront of the political scene for almost 60 years, he might be remembered only as a minor player in the drama of British government had it not been for World War II. In this magisterial book, Roy Jenkins' unparalleled command of the political history of Britain and his own high-level government experience combine in a narrative account of Churchill's astounding career that is unmatched in its shrewd insights, its unforgettable anecdotes, the clarity of its overarching themes, and the author's nuanced appreciation of his extraordinary subject.

From a very young age, Churchill believed he was destined to play a great role in the life of his nation, and he determined to prepare himself. Jenkins shows in fascinating detail how Churchill educated himself for greatness, how he worked out his livelihood (writing) as well as his professional life (politics), how he situated himself at every major site or moment in British imperial and governmental life. His parliamentary career was like no other - with its changes of allegiance (from the Conservative to the Liberal and back to the Conservative Party), its troughs and humiliations, its triumphs and peaks - and for decades, especially the crisis years of the late 1930s and the terrifying 1940s, when at last it was clear how vital Churchill was to the very survival of Britain. He evaluates Churchill's other accomplishments, his writings, with equal authority.

Exceptional in its breadth of knowledge and distinguished by its stylish wit and penetrating intelligence, this is one of the finest political biographies of our time.

©2001 Roy Jenkins (P)2002 Blackstone Audiobooks 20th Century Europe Great Britain Military Modern Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Presidents & Heads of State World Winston Churchill Royalty Imperialism War United Kingdom England Thought-Provoking Inspiring Soviet Union Russia Socialism Middle Ages British Empire Latin American Africa Interwar Period

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Critic reviews

"A first-class, well-sustained work of history and a masterpiece of biography." ( The Sunday Telegraph)
"This is far and away Churchill's best one-volume biography." (Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.)
All stars
Most relevant
I have never read/listened to a biography that was so immensely filled with well-written, well-researched and entertaining information as this one.



Be prepared to spend the time on this book - it is a very long biography of a man with a very long and extremely full life that changed the course of history for so many of us.



Jenkins' style of writing is a joy to listen to and expertly read by Robert Whitfield (who is unknown to me) - brimming with helpful and elegant interpretation and ever adding snippets of information setting the tone or background of a particular event, the part played by a side character, or simply filling in to help history-weak readers like myself.



Jenkins is rather ((too?) discrete about the darker moments in Churchill's life, but they are there, as they should be in a proper biography.



Little, often humourous, comments are interspersed thorughout the book - much appreciated.



As I have not read other biographies on Churchill, I am unable to make comparisons. Suffice it to say that I have enjoyed "meeting" Sir Winston in this way (I have been through it two - and partly three - times so far) and can wholeheartedly recommend it. Interested in Churchill? - read it! Interested in history? - read it! Just wanting to be entertained while being inspired by a great statesman? Enjoy!

A rivetingly observant and well-written biography

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I have read several biographies of Churchill and this is by far the best.
Keen insight into the man and his achievements and failures

Excellent review of Churchill

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This book was the epoch of my interested in reading history, having picked this book up as a secondary school pupil when it was first published. I have now come back to it twenty years later and it has reminded me of how good this book is. Roy Jenkins is an utterly masterful writer, his use of language kept me hooked from the beginning in 1874, to the end in 1965, 90 years of jaw dropping adventure, war, momental writing and dog eat dog politics. I found myself finding time to come back again and again, sitting with this book in hand at every opportunity.

It is of course obvious and necessary to compare this to Andrew Robert’s Churchill: Walking with Destiny and even though I have given this book five stars, Robert’s is still the better of the two. The simple reason being 41 papers and documents have been deposited into the Churchill Archive since the writing of Jenkins book and HM The Queen allowed Roberts to use King George VI’s diaries. This provides the important backdrop of the essential PM-monarch relationship during the Second World War which was so important to victory. Jenkins did not have this to use and so it is missing.

Having said that, this is excellent. Jenkins a Labour and then SDP politician, who states that a Tory PM is the greatest to ever to hold the office tells you all you need to know about this most famous of men. This is by no means a hagiography, Jenkins shows how Churchill could be obtuse, childish and indulgent. However, as this was written in 2001 he does not have to justify Churchill against the modern wokery and insane thoughts such as he was responsible for the sinking of the Lusitania or masterminded the Bengal Famine. You can just sit back and enjoy the history as it is supposed to be.

The Greatest Briton of the 20th Century

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This audiobook is excellent and a great example of the best that audio books can offer. A detailed, well documented biography, where the author does not avoid to share his opinion on events, behavior and character of the subjects of the narration, first among them Churchill himself. It's a tour de force. It's a compelling book, hard to let go until you reach the end.
The narration is outstanding, which greatly adds to the value of the audio book.
One of the best biographies I have read / listened to. Absolutely recommended.

Outstanding biography and an outstanding narration

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Being physically disabled from my military service has very few benefits. But it has allowed me to learn different skills. I can appreciate with WSC about his service. But he knows where he's going and it won't be an easy task but Simon Vance escorts you on WSC 's journey every step and pitfall along the way, this is where my disabled vantage helps me, as I have the time to listen and listen, this is not an audio book for the odd minute here and there, this is the life of a legend, a statesman and a leader of men. We know he's not perfect, he knows that too. This is an epic well worth the ride. I'm not disabled now. I'm just different, with attitude thanks to WSC. Recommend 110%

Who knows what they want to be! Winston S. Churchill did. With statecraft and an iron will, and BAM!

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