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My Early Life

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My Early Life

By: Winston Churchill
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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About this listen

One of the classic volumes of autobiography, My Early Life is a lively and colourful account of a young man's quest for action, adventure and danger. Churchill's schooldays are undistinguished, but he is admitted to Sandhurst and embarks on a career as a soldier and a war correspondent, seeing action in Cuba, in India, in the Sudan - where he took part in the battle of Omdurman, of which he gives us a stirring account - and finally in South Africa.

Taken prisoner by the Boers, Churchill makes a daring escape. Back home he embarks on the political career that is to make him one of Britain's most distinguished parliamentarians.

First published in 1930, when Churchill's most testing time still lay ahead of him, My Early Life is memorable both as an adventure-story and as an account of the events and influences that helped to shape the career of a great Englishman.

©1930 Charles Scribner’s Sons (P)2014 Audible Studios Europe Great Britain Historical Politicians Politics & Activism England Africa Winston Churchill War Imperialism Latin American
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This is truly boys own stuff. Living in the comparatively safe, sterile, politically correct 21st century you cannot imagine such an experience and the way it formed Churchill’s later life and opinions. I have travelled the world for business but rarely been out of my comfort zone and virtually never been in anything approaching a life threatening situation, with probably my most stressful experience being getting lost in a foreign city when you are really not lost at all. To be in battles, get captured, escape and the somehow have the strength of character to wander around what was a primitive South Africa in a period of war and somehow manage to reach safe territory seems like the plot of some far fetched novel, but instead it was the reality of life in the Victorian era and start of the 20th century. I hate to use the phrase, but a truly awesome story and well read.

I could only imagine such a life!

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all action story esp his escape from being a PoW in the Boer War, some dated attitudes and words to see past

great story

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Fascinating tales from the preamble to global conflicts by the master of tactical analysis and dissection

The education of a preeminent leader

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Great insight into late 19th century life for the very privileged. Delivered really well.
I had no idea that Winston Churchill had so many scrapes with death and I loved his attitude to life and danger. A quality that we seem to have lost these days with everyone trying to be politically correct.

A ripping yarn.

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An excellent read but I'm afraid I couldn't listen to this as the narrator put on the most peculiar voice. It needed to be read simply without the over-emphasised public school accent. The writing is excellent and doesn't need an 'actor' to read it. This audio reading spoilt it unfortunately. I wish they wouldn't use actors. I just want a clear reader who allows the writing to speak for itself. It was rather a waste of money as I can't listen to any more. Poor Churchill.

Unique life at a different time..

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