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The Second World War: Alone

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The Second World War: Alone

By: Sir Winston Churchill
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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About this listen

"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.

Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:

1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy

Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:

1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy

©2008 The Estate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Winston Churchill Inspiring Scary Thought-Provoking War

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Critic reviews

"Succinct it most definitely isn't, but then if your legendary bulldog-breed leadership had won the war you'd probably take your time about it. It was originally published in six volumes (now you see why Norman Stone is the lick), but Churchill himself abridged it to four, each lasting around 10 hours. I meant to get Volume 1, but never mind - I'm riveted by events between March 1940 and July 1941, especially Hitler's detailed plans to invade Britain by laying a narrow corridor of mines under the Channel. Though without Christian Rodska's wonderful voice - dare one say it's better than Churchill's - I might just have dozed off during the statistical bits."( The Guardian)
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Although we know the final outcome of the Second World War this is a moving account of the dark days when Britain was going it alone against the odds told by the man who held the country together and inspired such heroism and sacrifice by the population at home and service-men and women. It makes one proud of our parents or grand-parents generation who were so stoical and brave. It must have been a frightening time of great uncertainty with many set-backs until Hitler's fatal blunder of invading the Soviet Union. Churchill's words and speeches are still powerful and uplifting and this book brings home just what a knife-edge Britain was on during the prelude to the aborted invasion of Britain by Hitler and the debt we owe to the young airmen who fought in the Battle of Britain.
As in the first part of this quartet of books, Christian Rodska does an excellent job of the narration.

Stirring account told by a master storyteller

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Whatever your views on Churchill and he certainly had some reprehensible views, his diary is a great insight into the mechanics of leading a country in an asymmetric war. If I have one criticism it’s that I’d hoped he’d cover some of the secrets decisions and dilemmas (e.g. ultra and Coventry). It may be that there were written too soon and it wasn’t declassified. But this is an absorbing listen masterfully narrated by the wonderful Christian Rodska. Highly recommended.

Great insight into the politics of war

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Unless you are a student of the second world war or can remember the second world war you will find this hard going

Churchills second world war

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I thought I was taking a chance when I bought this audiobook; I was worried that it might be a wordy and dull account of the war, but I was utterly wrong. Winston Churchill cut his teeth as a press correspondent, so the prose is sparkling and full of significant details. It is as gripping as a thriller, but with the insights of the great mind behind Britain's war effort. This volume begins with Churchill becoming Prime Minister and ends as the USA are about to enter the war. Christian Rodska deserves great credit for his superb reading; Churchill's must be one of the most iconic voices of the 20th century, but Rodska manages to convey his idiom without descending to a mere impersonation. Highly recommended.

Churchill's history grips like a thriller

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lots of interesting insights into his decision making process, his defensive strategy for the defence of the United Kingdom brilliant.

What a Man

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Loved it, educative and fun. Narator brings back sharp fast s.V.C. voice and emotions like bitternes toward opponents.

Strategy and operative details until O.Barbarosa

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Gripping history, as told by one of its most prominent figures, wonderfully narrated. 10/10

An absolute thrill

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Again loved this second part to the series. read well and written well. Like others have said before you do need some prior knowledge of events of the period otherwise you will be a little lost and googling for events or terms mentioned. Will most defiantly be purchasing the next book in the series when I get my next credit.

another great part to the story

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I was unable to put this now until the end. Within a few days of downloading it I had it finished, which really will not do because what do I listen to until my next credits arrive? I enjoyed it a little less than volume 1 because this deals with a period of many depressing defeats. (Volume 1 had me raging against the folly of the inter war years.) I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the series. I enjoyed the quality of the reading.

Excellent

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the final chapter and Churchill's speech is ....so well Churchillian. Narration is first class, well done. 5 stars

The prose is exceptional and the narrator is great

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