Living History

I recently listened to Roy Jenkins' excellent biography of Churchill. This re-awakened my interest in the man (WSC) to the extent that I wanted to hear an account of his life and times in his own words. Like most people I have known him as the great statesman and warlord of popular legend and also that he had been a prolific writer. However, never having previously read any of his works I had not gathered what a brilliant writer he was into the bargain. This account of WW1 and its origins, given from WSC's personal perspective, is infomative, authoritative and utterly compelling. It practically fizzes with energy and life, thanks in no small part to a masterly reading of the text by Christian Rodska. I gained an entirely new perspective on that grim, Great War - hands up those who knew of the German Navy's bombardment Hartlepool, Whitby and Scarborough in December 1914 - and I was utterly intrigued by the inside account of the exercise of power in the great days of Cabinet Government and Parliamentary Democracy. By comparison with today's tawdry governance in the UK we have a vivid illustration of what we have lost in the past 100 years.

25 people found this helpful

wonderful

could not have picked a better narrator. I felt as if it could have been Churchill himself reading to me. A marvellous performance throughout

3 people found this helpful

Great performance, dubious content

As someone who has been listening to audiobooks for years, I must say that the narrator of this series of books is incredible. He sounds positively Churchillian without "putting it on". The prose is fantastic and beautifully delivered.

It's a shame that this book has been split into 3 (each 10 or so hours a piece). Presumably this was to make a bit more cash. I have plenty of books in my Audible collection which are much longer than 10 hours for the price of one credit, so this feels quite cheeky. This is part one, but part two and three suffer from incorrect labelling as chapter 1 of book two is actually chapter 12 or something. If only the labelling could have been kept consistent.

Finally, whilst this is ostensibly a history of the First World War it very quickly descends into Churchill defending himself from blame for his part in the action Dardanelles / Gallipoli as well as taking credit for the use of the tank, the defence of Belgium, the invention of anti-mine measures on ships and so on. He also dedicates a lot of space to bigging up his friends and allies, so it is important to understand that this book is a product of Churchill's political aspirations at its time of writing (between WW1 and WW2). It is not a definitive history on WW1. It is one man's highly politicised recasting of events for his own political means. There is certainly a lot of truth in it, but beware the spin... which can go on a bit.

2 people found this helpful

Everyone should read this book!

A personal account, read with great verve, giving insight into a great mind. Entertaining at times, educational at others, always interesting.

2 people found this helpful

Outstanding and essential history account

Played it at 1/2 speed on device. Much more Churchillian like and easier to grasp the multitude of facts.

5 people found this helpful

MASTERPIECE MASTERPIECE MASTERPIECE

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If Williams Shakespeare had the insight of a major philosopher, and stood on the sidelines of an amazing world event, this would be the prose written

What was one of the most memorable moments of The World Crisis 1911-18?

The mastery of language by Churchill is probably the high point, but that of course runs all the way through

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

I'm freed up to do hours and hours of other things by it being audio and not print, but the narrator's manner helps deliver the cadences of Churchill that might be lost on reading, much in the same way a professional actor helps Shakespeare digest more easily. I don't really like his voice, but it is right for the book

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

something over-flowery about the path into World War I, because that is what sells a film

Any additional comments?

this is really a great book for anyone who wants a view on a massive part of world history from a master historian's perspective, written in wonderful English, but it commands concentration to get the most from it. Not for my bedtime or normal chores - for long walks

2 people found this helpful

Not as informative as hoped - not really a history

What did you like best about The World Crisis 1911-18? What did you like least?

Best thing was Rodska's superb Narration.

I least liked Churchill's constant vindiction of himself, he also doesn't seem to follow any 'rules' of the historian and presents guesses and speculation as fact.

Would you recommend The World Crisis 1911-18 to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes as it is an easy listen and gives an account of WW1, the accounts of naval strategy are relevant and interesting.

Have you listened to any of Christian Rodska’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes lots of them, him and Jayston are amongst the finest narrators.

Was The World Crisis 1911-18 worth the listening time?

On balance I think so, would have liked more history and less of churchill.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant

Absolutely brilliant and an incredible narration. I hope part 2 comes quickly, I cant wait to listen to it.

Wonderful

A fantastic start to another Churchill series. I had previously listened to the WWII books and this is much in the same vein. Churchill has such a vivid and enthusiastic writing style. This book covers a lot of the naval areas of the lead up and initial stages of the war and this was all new to me. Also it's worth pointing out the the reading from Christian Rodska is nothing short of brilliant. His Churchill voice really makes you believe the great man is speaking to you. Onto the next part!

PERFECT READER!!!

An absolute unique performance; in an unusual approach to producing an audiobook, this recording have the history and the book, by Winston Churchill, rendered in a true, real-life voice approach by performer Christian Rodska. What could easily have turned into a farce, the marvelous performance by reader Rodska, not only saves the book, but brings the life and times of Winston Churchill so instantly into his own entire story of WW1. The book is a masterpiece of valuable first-hand insight by Churchill. The reading is a unique reenactment of Churchill himself in the given time-period of the history.