Gandhi & Churchill

By: Arthur Herman

Narrated by: John Curless

Length: 29 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In this fast-paced epic, best-selling historian and master storyteller Arthur Herman spotlights two giants of the 20th century. Gandhi & Churchill shows how their 40-year rivalry revolutionized India and the British Empire, paving the way for a new era. Gandhi championed India's independence, Churchill the British Empire.

©2008 Arthur Herman (P)2008 Recorded Books

Detailed, Honest Biography

This is a good biography of two of the most influential, yet misunderstood men of the last century.Years ago, I was suprised to find that many Indians do not think Gahndi was a hero or even a great leader. This book goes into the detail that is sorely missing from everything else I have read about Gahndi.
Churchill too is often revered as a great leader. This book helps to delineate the man from the myth by detailing his personal and professional flaws.
Overall a very good biography, the book contrasts their early lives and how they eventually became the great me history portrays them. A must read for the 20th century history buff!

An excellent read

I've listened to two books by Arthur Herman and they're both exceptional. If you haven't done so take a listen to Freedom's Forge as well.

As for this book I greatly enjoyed it. I honestly can say I knew almost nothing except the generic knowledge most Americans have about Gandhi, conversely I knew much more about Churchill. However I learned a great deal about both in this book. If you're concerned that this is a Gandhi vs Churchill book there is no need to worry, this book doesn't demonize one or the other and does a great job of explaining the life and times of each which helps greatly understand why they made the decisions they made. It's not a liberal hackjob, so if you're looking for a Gandhi worship book you'll be disappointed, however the author is very kind towards him in my opinion. His treatment of Churchill is the same from the other side. Overall I think the book is very well balanced and doesn't really inject a lot of opinion, instead it just gives you the story and lets you figure out the message if there is one. Personally I came away from this with pretty strong feelings towards each but I won't share there here since there is no reason to biased someones reading of the same material.

Overall this is a 5 star book, it's quite long but moves quickly and the reader does an excellent job.

Outstanding

Great history at the retail level! So much we don't see and hear, but still think we know what happened.

A motif that works well

I was uncertain whether a dual biography made sense, but in the hands of the author, it works very well, giving a clearer picture of each man. The visions of the two men arise from a shared Victorian world view. They occasionally crossed paths, and they clashed directly over India's independence. Both men lived heroic lives, suffered Herculean setbacks, espoused unpopular views, were both loved and despised at different times by the masses, embodied the highest virtues of their cultures, accomplished great things, failed to accomplish their most cherished goals, and will be remembered for centuries to come. History doesn't get any better than this -- it's the story of two amazing lives told with flair.

Good book but very long

The amount of historical information packed into this book is mind-boggling. It could definitely be it's own college course. I really enjoyed the narrator but I can agree with others who say it should have been someone who spoke the dialect and was able to pronounce names and locations correctly. It was a very long book and took me about two months listening in the car on my commute to and from work, but I feel like I have such a better understanding of who Gandhi and Churchhill actually were after reading this book. We think we know based on what we learn in school and what the media tells us but this book gives a much more honest look at both leaders

One of my favorite books

Simply outstanding account of two of the most significant figures in the history of the British Commonwealth/Empire

Interesting

Really interesting book about History! Could have went many different ways!! Two Great Men who changed the World!!

The story is more to glorify Churchill than Gandhi

Churchill’s human right violation were ignored. Due to his attitude, one million Indian died due to famine.
Moreover his imperialism was shown like heroism but it is more like shame.
Gandhi spread Nonviolence and it has encouraged many countries to become independent and it was totally not focused. I expect Mr Hermann should be more honest and neutral.

When Leaders Were Statesmen

A long and detailed history, the result of thorough research and a fine critical mind when it comes to analysis of the relative importance of the events described. The writer has a clear, unfussy style and I never find myself going back to hear again something I cannot comprehend first time around.

I have read much about Churchill and this book gives me a new perspective on the great man. Indeed, I now understand his shortcomings far better. Ghandi was new to me and this is an excellent biography. In the case of neither man is it a glowing, one sided tribute but more a full frontal picture, warts and all, focusing on their very great achievements alongside their blind spots.

The book gets better as it rolls out. The climax, in which Herman details the funerals of each man is very moving; some of the best writing I have enjoyed.

The reader is clear and strong, necessary in a book of this length where it is easy to pretend to listen.

Good, important history.

A Must for Any History Buff

An excellent and totally painless way to gain some insight to the history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries by examining the lives of two of that periods' most fascinating people. The book was comprehensive but not mired in too much detail. The narration was superb. I have often wondered at the larger-than-life images and reputation of each of these men, and this book manages to strip away the “superman” aura and still leave you with an appreciation of two of the most influential men of the 20th century. Highly recommend.