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. Something over-flowery about the path into World War I, because that is what sells a film If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be? I don't really like his voice, but it is right for 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. What does Christian Rodska bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book? The mastery of language by Churchill is probably the high point, but that of course runs all the way through What was one of the most memorable moments of The World Crisis 1911-18? 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 Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? There is certainly a lot of truth in it, but beware the spin. ![]() It is one man's highly politicised recasting of events for his own political means. 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). 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. If only the labelling could have been kept consistent. 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. 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. Presumably this was to make a bit more cash. It's a shame that this book has been split into 3 (each 10 or so hours a piece). The prose is fantastic and beautifully delivered. He sounds positively Churchillian without "putting it on". 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.Īs someone who has been listening to audiobooks for years, I must say that the narrator of this series of books is incredible. ![]() 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. It practically fizzes with energy and life, thanks in no small part to a masterly reading of the text by Christian Rodska. This account of WW1 and its origins, given from WSC's personal perspective, is infomative, authoritative and utterly compelling. However, never having previously read any of his works I had not gathered what a brilliant writer he was into the bargain. 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. 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. I recently listened to Roy Jenkins' excellent biography of Churchill.
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