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Churchill's Shadow

An Astonishing Life and a Dangerous Legacy

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Churchill's Shadow

By: Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A critical but fair political biography of Churchill that zooms in on crucial moments in his life and career that help us understand the man in his many contradictions.

While in A. J. P. Taylor's words, Churchill was 'the saviour of his country', he was also a deeply flawed character, whose personal ambition would cloud his political judgement - and, as a result, he was often plain wrong. But the book's central argument goes beyond biography - it argues that Churchill has cast a dark shadow over post-war British history and contemporary politics - from the 'Churchillian stance' of Tony Blair taking the country to war in Iraq, to the delusion of a special relationship with the United States, to the fateful belief in British exceptionalism: that the nation can once again stand alone in Europe.

Wheatcroft takes a radically different approach to other hagiographies of Churchill. This is a biography that doesn't just tell the story of his life but the equally fascinating one of his legacy, focusing on how Churchill was viewed by contemporaries and those who came after.

This book is both a biography of the man and a fresh and revealing account of post-war politics seen through his legacy.

©2021 Geoffrey Wheatcroft (P)2021 Penguin Audio Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State War Winston Churchill Imperialism Soviet Union Royalty Military Socialism

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All stars
Most relevant  
I must say i enjoyed the audio book, appart from the times i felt the author wrote like a snarky adolescent which could get a bit annoying. Its not a book of hero worship and better for it, but perhaps not the best first book to read on the man.
the reading was excellent

Good but snarky

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A fascinating listen and a necessary counterweight to all Churchill hagiography. Narrator performance superb!

An impressive critique of the Churchill myth!

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I found nothing to dislike with this book, A really well written narrative! Highly recommend

The way that people and Americans in particular have been taken in by Churchills writings,

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A fascinating and detailed analysis of Churchill, warts and all - no hagiography that’s for sure…..

Churchill’s shadow

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Excellent book with first rate narration to match. Thoroughly honest assessment of Churchill’s life and lasting influence.

Excellent

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A critical look not just at Churchill, but at Churchillians, and the unfortunate effect that his legend has had on Britain and the world

Excellent throughout

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Apparently thorough and well balanced, although unfortunately misinformed about aspects of Churchill College, right at the end, the only aspects about which I have first hand knowledge.

Comprehensive

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Anything that can be used to criticise Churchill, important or trivial, justified or not, supported by evidence or not, explicit or implicit, you will find in this book. And the author’s confident statements about what Churchill ought to have done in various high pressured situations are given with the benefit of comfortable hindsight.

Long and tedious litany of criticism

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