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The Birth of Britain

A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume I

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The Birth of Britain

By: Sir Winston Churchill
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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About this listen

 The English-speaking peoples comprise perhaps the greatest number of human beings sharing a common language in the world today. These people also share a common heritage. For his four-volume work, Sir Winston Churchill took as his subject these great elements in world history. Volume 1 commences in 55BC, when Julius Caesar famously "turned his gaze upon Britain" and concludes with the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc. British History

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A political rival of Churchill described it as a History of the Things That Interest Me. With only a few hundred pages the book cannot possibly cover an in depth history.

Churchill leans towards a legendary founding of Britain, with events inevitably leading towards the present. Choice quotes "it is true, or it should be" and "a great take undone by meddlesome historians" show he's more interested in the cultural imaginaries of Britain.

He excludes some key characters, focusing mainly on Kings of England and Leaders, missing Edric Streona entirely at the end of the Anglo Saxon Era. Published in the 50s some attitudes are very much of the time, he describes Edward I as managing to conquer and even civilise the Welsh and says a Roman transported to the modern day would still find their greatest enemy East of the Rhine.

The key areas of interest to the author are the Church and Institutions, and he gives these a debate of inevitability by jumping forwards to more modern examples. The What If commentary added (ie if Henry the V had led England and France in a crusade the countries would have been United) as far as I'm aware isn't generally supported and might show some deviation from the historical method.

It tells a lot about Churchills attitude towards history and people's but as long as you're aware of the biases it's a great overview of the founding of England to the Tudor Dynasty.

A whistle stop tour of Early British history.

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A great master of the English language tells a brilliant story with powerful narrative lines and historic sensibility read by the superb Christian Rodska who imparts true Churchillian strength and purpose to every word. A truly wonderful, educational and enthralling experience.

JUST WONDERFUL

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I have just finished listening to the fourth volume of this splendid series. The presentation is rather out of date now - these books were completed in the 1950s - and would probably not pass muster academically as objective and impartial history - for example, the focus on 'english speaking peoples' is a bit awkward particularly in the fourth volume which includes rather dull - for this series - sections on New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the US. He also makes no secret of his attachment to the old british empire - David Schama's history of the comparable period makes for an interesting contrast ( though I have not yet listened to the audio version).

But you cant take away the wonderful prose, which draws you into the books like an adventure, and the story is told with great style and verve. I believe also that Churchil dictated his books to his secretaries and this results, I think, in them being particularly well suited to being read out lound - and Christian Rodscka reads them with great flair and clarity. Listeners to the BBC's 'this sceptred isle' will be familiar with these books and if you enjoyed the former you should certainly get great pleasure from the latter. I shall certainly listen to them again in the future.

warmly recommended

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I follow a few historical podcasts, and they both mention this series. I can see why. Sir Winston was a man of a great many talents, and though some of his history writing is coloured by his experiences, and in some cases his lack of detailed knowledge, he does a fantastic job in creating a coherent overview of the history of the english speaking peoples. I feel that all history students from year 7 should have to read through this - added to the Horrible histories that kids are watching now, we might have a generation who actually know something of their history. Well worth listening to, I'm on the second and planning on buying 3 and 4 - especially as Churchill was involved with the later history directly!

Brilliant History

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A most enjoyable experience with none of the usual failings. If only History teachers were able to present their subjects in the same vein...... Ordered the next Volume already!

Far Exceeded Expectations

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