It reads like a thriller

Sir Winston knew how to write to keep readers engaged. By writing of his experiences as they happened, and in the first person where possible, we feel his fears, frustrations and excitements. His biggest frustration being that having more or less defeated Germany in the first year of the war, we allowed immediate victory to slip away from us and thus condemned many millions to die in the following three years.
By revising his original edition, Sit Winston was able to confirm or deny some of the assumptions upon which his decisions were made (having read the accounts of other military and politely leaders in the meantime). To a degree this reduces the main weakness of any first person account, including his first edition - you only have your own perspective. But regardless, that will always be the main weakness of this book compared to more academic accounts of WWI written many years hence.
The narrator has decided to impersonate the voice of Churchill (or at least the actor who read his WWII radio broadcasts). I didn’t need that, but there could have been far worse readings.

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Sounds like Churchill!

The description of the run-up to the war is fascinating and underlines the focus of the British on the (effective) civil war over Ireland. Once war is declared, WSC is focused on building his own reputation and there is a lot of detail about ‘supreme’ battles and aims etc. but hugely enjoyable.

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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.

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32 people found this helpful

All the things you think you know..

A fascinating front row account. Long in detail but from a perspective unique in history. I can’t wait to hear what happened next.

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Liked it but it could have been structured better

Although it was explained why the book was structured in the way it was, I would have liked more dates to help explain what stage things were at in the world. Because this starts well before the war in 1911, it can sometimes be hard to follow how long certain decisions took to make or how long certain preparations took to implement. On the good side, it is interesting seeing events from the inside.

The writing has real character and is so enjoyable. The narrator has very similar vocal qualities to recordings of Churchill anyway but for certain segments reads it as Churchill. So there is a distinction between his writings and his words. It was quite effective.

Have already purchased the next in the series but haven't started it yet.

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Mr Churchill. The Man!

The History, The Empire, The Man.
Churchill truly was the Icon he is now.
Fantastic read.

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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.

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Fascinating insight to the lead up to WW1

Absolutely fascinating insight into the start of WW1 and the naval actions that followed. The book also gives an the reader an understanding into the personalities of the men involved and their reasoning which lead to the actions that they took.

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Masterful writing with masterful narration

Christian Rodska’s superb narration brings the wonderfully eloquent words of Churchill’s personal history of WW1 to life. Full of fine detail, yet almost reads like a novel.

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Brilliant

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

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