The Second World War: Triumph and Tragedy

Always good, occasionally great

This is the concluding volume in Winston Churchill's incomparable history of World War II. As in his previous three volumes it provides remarkable insight and an unparalleled "you are there" view of the events. It is an absolute must-read for anyone that has had the pleasure of completing the previous books.
However, it suffers in comparison to the other books. This first-person view of history worked incredibly well in the first three volumes because Churchill was, quite literally, in the middle of much of the significant action and decisions from 1938 to 1942. His insight, speeches, decisions, and influence on diplomacy literally made history and changed the course of the war. Having a front-row seat to that power and thought process is a treat.
However, starting in 1943 and certainly in 1944 the United States and the Soviet Union became the primary players on the Allied side and Great Britain (and thus Churchill), exhausted and smaller than the others, became a junior partner. Churchill had less and less influence in the conduct of the war and it is not surprising he was greatly frustrated by it, though he certainly knew that only through the combined efforts of the USA and USSR could complete victory be achieved.
In this volume he spends most of his time on things he had direct impact over (which were smaller scale) or talking about his frustrations about not being able to prosecute the war as he saw fit. For example, we hear much more about a small invasion of Italy he tried to coordinate than we do about D-Day. And we hear practically nothing about the treatment of Jews or concentration camps.
But Churchill really comes through in the end as he chronicles the Soviet transformation in 1944/5 from ally to adversary. And there is an epilogue where he discusses the transformations of the geopolitical situation from 1945 to 1957 that is remarkable in its anticipation of many of the issues we continue to face.

41 of 41 people found this review helpful

Winston Churchill knew more about WW2 than anyone.

Would you listen to Triumph and Tragedy again? Why?

And he wrote about it with an excellence no one else has equalled. I would certainly listen to it again. I am amazed at how candid yet diplomatic Churchill is, and how beautifully he writes. Imagine a great world leader, also a brilliant journalist, who knows first hand the course of the most important war in history describing events and the personalities of the principal world rulers with penetrating insight and great humor. There is so much to be learned by this book, listening to it twice would only be good for starters.

What other book might you compare Triumph and Tragedy to and why?

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is a brilliant book and I loved it. However, the account of a journalist who lived through the war and observed it first hand pales in comparison with Churchills authority and intimate knowledge of events.

What about Christian Rodska???s performance did you like?

I thought of him as Churchill. I felt Churchill was telling me about the war.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Triumph and Tragedy. The birth of the world today.

Any additional comments?

This is one book I am going to get a hard copy and take notes.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Intensely interesting not just for history buffs

Would you consider the audio edition of Triumph and Tragedy to be better than the print version?

Yes.

What other book might you compare Triumph and Tragedy to and why?

You should definitely listen to the whole series to understand this tragic period of history. It is true what others wrote before that the book is a little bit self serving, but nonetheless it's a great listen.

What does Christian Rodska bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have the feeling that Churchill himself is telling me the story. Rodska is a great narrator, he even paid attention to using slightly different voices and accents if the contents of a letter or telegram is related written by Roosevelt or Stalin.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Many films were already made no need for more.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Class Dismissed

I enjoyed listening to all 4 books. This one was the hardest. Mostly because I'm ADHD:-). But, also it was hard to hear some of history that was so sad & could've been prevented. Still glad I learned of so many things I've never heard before, though. Mr. Churchill was an excellent history teacher!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

interesting and enjoyable

having read the original 6 volume unabridged version I found this abridged audio version enjoyable. An insight into the events that shaped the modern world from an active participant. Well read by Rodska, the feel that the author is speaking to you, without any over dramatization.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outstanding!

What did you love best about The Second World War: Triumph and Tragedy?

The historical, behind-the-scenes events revealed in this book helped me better understand the motivations behind the principle characters and nations.

What about Christian Rodska’s performance did you like?

His voice was stable, and expressive of controlled resolve and emotion which I found believable in replicating Winston Churchill. I was easily "absorbed" into the story as it was read and never felt like someone was just reading a story to me - I felt as if I were there, experiencing the saga as it unfolded.

Any additional comments?

The story and the delivery were outstanding. Kudos!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good book, but I got more than I expected.

What did you like best about this story?

I expected the book to be told from the British perspective, and it was. I was a bit surprised by Churchill's somewhat defensive posture throughout the narrative as on several occasions he emphasized the load that Great Britain assumed in the war was somewhat out of proportion as compared to the US. But I thought the detail that he supplied around the interface with Stalin was fascinating. It seems clear that Churchill, himself managed the relationship with the USSR from the time that Germany began their thrust to the East to the end of the conflict.

The book also provided unknown (to me) details about the relationship between the US and Great Britain during the years prior to the US being directly involved in the war.

Which character – as performed by Christian Rodska – was your favorite?

There were times that I could hear Churchill's voice as Rodska provided his narriative.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Incredible insight and detail

To listen to the thoughts of ,(the greatest man of the 20th Century),Churchill is incredible. His foresight and opinion were almost never wrong, and when he was, it was not by much. He was an amazing man and leader.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful series,

I can’t praise the whole series enough. I learned so much that I hadn’t understood before and my respect and admiration for Winston Churchhill has grown immeasurably. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to listen to this. Thank you audible

This series is the ABRIDGED version

FYI - there are hundreds of missing chapters, particularly containing specific details about the battles. Otherwise, a fabulous condensed version of one of the world's most important and unique human beings. A+ narration by Christian Rodska.