Winston Churchill, John Keegan
Winston Churchill, John Keegan
2 Rating(s)
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Winston Churchill

Author: John Keegan

Narrator: Richard Matthews

Unabridged: 5 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/27/2002


Synopsis

"[Keegan is] the best military historian of the world."—Tom Clancy
 
When today’s world leaders require inspiration and strength in times of crisis, they often invoke Winston Churchill. The son of a member of Parliament, Churchill, a poor academic student, wanted to be a solider early in life. At this he succeeded brilliantly, fighting fearlessly on the frontiers of the British Empire but eventually being captured. His escape from a South African prison camp led him to national fame and catapulted him into a life of politics.
 
The eminent historian John Keegan charts Churchill's career, examining his steadfast leadership during the catastrophic events of World War II while England was dangerously poised on the brink of collapse. With wonderful eloquence, Keegan illuminates Churchill's incredible strength during this crucial moment in history and his unshakable belief that democracy would always prevail. Keegan looks at Churchill's speeches, which are some of the greatest examples of English oratory, and identifies his ability to communicate his own idea of an English past as the source of Churchill's greatness. He also sheds light on the political climate of Churchill's time. The result is an insightful, sensitive portrait of Churchill, the war leader, and Churchill, the man.

About The Author

John Keegan’s books include The Iraq War, Intelligence in War, The First World War, The Battle for History, The Face of Battle, War and Our World, The Masks of Command, Fields of Battle, and A History of Warfare. He was the defense editor of The Daily Telegraph (London). He lived in Wiltshire, England, until his death in 2012.Richard Matthews is a performer who has narrated many audiobooks, including A Short History of Nearly Everything1984, and The Count of Monte Cristo.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Caity

3.75 stars Winston Churchill holds a soft place in my heart. His patriotic and inspiring speeches were a game changer in World War II. A Great War leader that did a hard and courageous job that would have been impossible for many. Keegan’s biography was a insightful read and it wasn’t all about Church......more

Goodreads review by Ed

One of the reasons I don't read more biographies is that they always provide me with more information than I want. I understand that the author, who has most likely spent years researching a person's life, wants to include as much of the research as possible, I'm just not sure I want to plow through......more

Goodreads review by Mark

Winston Churchill biographies come in all shapes and sizes, from the massive to the svelte. John Keegan's contribution to the genre is definitely on the latter end of that spectrum; his book, a volume in the Penguin Lives series, covers Churchill's nine decades in less than 200 pages. To achieve thi......more

Goodreads review by Aleks

I picked this up because it was small, cheap, and I like biographies and history. The book was very short. It's only surface deep and doesn't tread deeply into any part of Churchill's life. It really lacks primary sources from Churchill and is completely devoid of any from the people around him. It i......more

Goodreads review by Jane

4+++ an excellent companion read to a trip to London including a visit to Churchill’s War Rooms. Succinct biography not nearly as long as many others available but seemed to provide very good insight into this fascinating 20th century leader.......more


Quotes

"An accomplished and seductive book."
-The Times Literary Supplement

"Stands out as a model of insightfulness about an immense historical personality who helped to shape the world we live in."
-The Economist

"Masterfully covers nearly all aspects of Churchill's illustrious career with knowledgeable insight and sympathy."
-Forbes