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The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster cover art

The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster

By: Winston Churchill
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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Summary

Churchill's history of the Second World War is, and will remain, the definitive work. Lucid, dramatic, remarkable for its breadth and sweep and for its sense of personal involvement, it is universally acknowledged as a magnificent reconstruction. 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. Audible has published the unabridged recordings of Churchill's condensed volume, divided into four parts, as follows:

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

©1959 Cassell and Co. Ltd; 1990 the Esate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Extremely good listening

Excellent, just excellent, I listened to this as one might to a novel,it was so gripping. I have only downloaded this title a day or two and have finished it already. All through the reading I could hear the great man's voice. The reading was very good indeed

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting history by a master story-teller

I couldn't stop listening to this first of four parts of this monumental work covering the prelude and execution of the Second World War written by the man who saw Britain through its darkest hours. He writes wonderfully well in a fluent and captivating style that gives a tremendous sense of immediacy to this historical record. Being of the generation born just after the War much of the bones of the story are well-known but not the details of just how near to disaster our country came on several occasions. Churchill's fine writing and the precarious nature of the events described make for a wonderful listen greatly enhanced by Christian Rodska's masterly narration. I've immediately started listening to the next part of this quartet of books.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliance

Having finished listening to the whole four volumes of Churchill's WWII work, I can say that it was time extremely well spent. The narration was superb, with just enough Churchillism in the voice to bring images of the great man to mind. Churchill's writings are wonderful. If you are concerned that this work will be dull and tedious, don't worry, it is certainly not (I especially enjoyed the remark made by the Naval chap to the Russian official, after being offered a cigarette - find it in the fourth book!). Chances are, you'll be listening for a second or third time - I will. My only regret is that I listened to this work first - whereas, it may have been better to listen, initially, to the work on the first world war, then this work - but thats just me, there is no real reason why you cannot listen and enjoy this one first. Download this and enjoy. It will give you a better understanding of how the world managed to tumble into another war and of the great man himself. I don't really care much for celebrities, actors/actresses, singers and such, but of the very few people I admire, Churchill is one. And he would definitely be invited to my dining table- if only I could get the time machine to work!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best narrators I've heard

Christian Rodska really makes this book come alive. You can imagine sitting next to Churchill himself reading the book. His accent and interpretation are spot on. And he is equally adept at other character accents in the book. I really enjoyed listening to it and became absorbed in both the story and in Churchill's splendid use of the language.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The second world war milestones to disaster

Excellent listen. Well written by a master and narrator brillant. If you want to know about ww2 this is a good place to begin.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Worth the read

Winston Churchill is a great writer besides being a great Prime Minister. Really good to hear it form his point of view rather than from others writing about him or the war. You definitely realise this was a man ahead of his time, and one of the few to really get Hitler.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

This is a truly fantastic audiobook that has been very well narrated. I have listened to this time and again and keep finding new content of interest. If you have an interest in the second world war then, quite simply, you have to buy this.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Somewhat incomplete

A great audiobook and well read, as well.
Unfortunatley, it ends in 1941, as it is only a part of a 4 part volume!

When can we expect the rest, or do we have to live under the delusion that the war only lasted 2 years!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Quite thrilling

I have to confess to being a Churchill admirer from the outset, though I’ve always thought of his writing as being rather ponderous and overdone. But I really enjoyed this reading (the reader has some distinct Churchillian phraseology and mannerisms) and found it surprisingly thrilling. A real treat.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book, really brought it home for me!

The reader was exactly like Winston Churchill... the performance was excellent. I've always watch stuff on TV and read a few books about WW2 but its the first time ive listened to a book by someone was directly involved in the war. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it really brought it home to me... the build up in the preceding years, the warning signs, the opportunities to act and perhaps avert what was happening but nothing was done... the fascists were allowed a free reign and it ended in disaster for the World. Wonderful to hear this from Winston himself... what a guy. Im going to follow the excellent advice he gave in this book. Always try and grab an aftersleep for 20 mins or an hour if possible..its reinvigorates you for the rest of the day.

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1 person found this helpful