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The Great Democracies
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume IV
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Categories: History, Europe
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- By darkbluepoppy on 09-04-18
Summary
The fourth and last volume in Churchill's famous account spans 1815 to 1901. It closes when the British Empire is at its peak, with a staggering one-fifth of the human race presided over by the longest reigning monarch in British history: Queen Victoria.
In America he assesses the position of the "Great Republic" from slavery and secession to its position as a world superpower. He charts the rise of Germany and the unification of Italy and examines the situation in the Balkans in 1878, all of which had a deep impact not only on the war he was soon to fight, but on the geography of the European continent today.
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What listeners say about The Great Democracies
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- David M
- 27-02-20
The Best of the Four Volumes
There's a good balance in this volume, it's not all about battles. That is until we come to the American Civil War. That that point we suddenly get great descriptive detail of all the twists and turns of the whole war. It reads like a novel in itself. Unfortunately, we don't get any information as to where the named rivers, towns, railways, mountain ranges etc are in relation to each other. Without maps to look at, the detail is wasted on the listener. Maybe the printed book comes with maps, I don't know.
2 people found this helpful
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- fishfanatic
- 27-09-19
A compelling case.
This narrative puts into perspective how the civilised world functions today. what a debt the world owes to the English speaking people's.
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- Plum
- 19-08-13
easy listening - modern history
Would you listen to The Great Democracies again? Why?
It is easy to listen to and contains more events and facts than I can remember
Who was your favorite character and why?
Winston Churchill he significantly changed the course of the war and never gave up.
What about Christian Rodska’s performance did you like?
clearly spoken and engaging. liked his Churchill voice
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
it is too long for that
Any additional comments?
in my top ten audible books
2 people found this helpful
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- Vradeen Sengir
- 11-02-19
A fitting conclusion to Sir Winston's narrative.
I would have loved two more volumes to carry us over the last 100 years.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-11-18
Best of the Ser
Churchill's understanding of world history is unparalleled. His command of the English language spectacular. A wonderful narrative as well.
2 people found this helpful
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- Kathryn Knightsby
- 03-09-19
amazing series
Winston Churchill is very interesting it's incredible to be able to hear his voice through these volumes.
1 person found this helpful
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- LaMar M. Fox
- 17-09-16
A EXCEPTIONAL HISTORY BY A GREAT STATESMAN.
This view of our history is made brilliant by Churchill's participation in what followed. Brilliant!
1 person found this helpful
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- james drury
- 06-09-16
A masterpiece!
If you like British history, then this is a defining work on the subject. Well researched, well written and well read.
1 person found this helpful
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- Andy
- 23-06-20
Historical perspective at its finest.
Rarely is history told so vividly and with such humanity. Full of all the Churchillian prose and characterful writing for which the great man is known. This final volume reads more like a novel, and spans the age of sail to the death of queen Victoria.
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- Haraway
- 21-09-17
Interesting book,100 yrs of Anglo-American history
Clearly described history without much "spin". As an engineering major in college, I was not exposed to much of the history of the Victorian age. Very good stuff!
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- Amazon Customer
- 24-07-17
Great insight into the past.
Though the biased must be understood it is a great way to get the feelings of the time in which you can not receive in today's current literature on the topic.
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- Kimble
- 13-01-17
The Great Man on the Great Democracies.
No one is better able through ability and experience to relate man's struggle in securing democracy and in doing so, in building Western Civilization.
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- Tommy D'Angelo
- 08-08-15
Churchill knows his stuff but left me wanting more
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
Pluses:
• Covers the European peace treaty post-Napoleon, The Crimean War, the rise of Germany, and the Russo-Turkish war relatively well
Minuses:
• At times it was difficult to listen to (flowery language obscured the meaning of what the writer was trying to convey)
• Too much time seemed to be spent on politics in England
• Too much time spent on minute details of events like the wars rather than summarize the main conclusions or how certain details related to the greater picture
• Was expecting it to be more focused on England than other countries
• Was left with a sense that the general progression of English society to a modern state was not covered or at least not summarized