Marlborough: His Life and Times

By: Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough (1644-1722), was one of the greatest military commanders and statesmen in the history of England. Victorious in the Battles of Blenheim (1704) and Ramillies (1706) and countless other campaigns, Marlborough, whose political intrigues were almost as legendary as his military skill, never fought a battle he didn't win.

Marlborough also bequeathed the world another great British military strategist and diplomat, his descendant, Winston S. Churchill, who wrote this book to redeem Marlborough's reputation from Macaulay's smears. One million words long and ten years in the making, Churchill's Marlborough stands as both a literary and historical masterpiece, giving us unique insights into the Churchill of World War II, for just as Churchill's literary skill helps us understand the complexities of Marlborough's life, so too did his writing of Marlborough help Churchill master the arts of military strategy and diplomacy.

Listen to all four volumes here.

©2015 Winston Churchill (P)2015 Audible Studios

Sounds like an awesome D&D campaign

Idk if it was the life, the reader, or the word choice of Churchill, but it was an amazing listen. Maps would be helpful, but they aren't necessary if you are familiar with the territories described. And you can look up maps for free on Google if you really need to.

History at its best

Churchill writes a fascinating history of his ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough, and the events and people important at the end of the Stuart royalty in England and rule of Louis XIV in France. This is such a well researched book, however long, showing many intrigues and conflicts, and the best and worst of people. Great read!

wonderfully indepth

it's a marathon to listen to, is wonderfully indepth. learned as much about europe as the man.

Superb. English language and history as towering art

The narrator of this monumental life work by Winston Spencer Churchill to illuminate and command the life of his grandfather, John Churchill, Lord Marlborough, is as perfect for the task as anyone ever could be. The writer, the First Lord of the English speaking peoples and the greatest Britain of his or any other time, enlists his unparalleled and unquenchable personal power to raise the standard and beat the drums of war at the stroke of midnight when World War II broke across the world. These four volumes were WSC’s love letter to all men, friends and foes, the clarion call and brightest torch to show the way forward to free men in the most perilous hour. Britain could not have rallied in 1940, and the Allies could not have held together and won so surely, had these volumes not been written. Winston published them in the nick of time and showered copies on all the greatest leaders, thinkers, and defenders of democracy. FDR had multiple copies. So did the ministers, the House, and the Lords of Great Britain. In an Age of towering thought and grimly determined action, Winston wrote this love letter to all of us. Read these books. Listen to a soaring narrative presentation that will leave you breathless and begging for more across 75 hours. If you thought you spoke English, if you vainly imagined you knew history, if you wondered how to pronounce 100,000 words in all important languages of the 18th Century, listen to this writer and this narrator. Listen to the rise of the epoch of free peoples everywhere. These volumes are life at the heights of reason, of love, of war, and of history. We may never see it’s like again.

WSC

another one in my collection of WSC's audiobook. I enjoyed it very much. I am looking forward to the audible version of the World Crisis ---Churchillian buff...

a story for all eras; including our own!

Great on every level. Most unexpected aspect: if the words 'Whig' and 'Tory' are removed, and 'Democrats' and 'Republicans' substituted (it doesn't matter which is substituted for which), the ugly aspects of politics of 1710 are indistinguishable from those of 2020; except, no one is sent to the Tower of London or is exiled, today. In addition to the magnificence of the overall story, it is mildly comforting that 'this is how democracy works', and our current era is not worse than others.

Second-most unexpected aspect: the non-military aspects of the story are fascinating, and told with efficient but expansive description.

Exceptional

I absolutely loved this book. Winston Churchill is a wonderful wordsmith. I really felt that I was living in that time.

Outstanding

In Sean Barrett’s masterful narration one hears the rolling cadences of Churchill as though he were reading the words himself.

Very Interesting and Historically Informative

I liked it very much, even though it was VERY long, For me it shed light on why the founders of our republic were so adamantly opposed to what they called "Factions". The hatred and political warfare between the Whigs and Tories during the period covered were, I now believe the reason that President Washington warned against political "Factions" and their disruptive policies in his farewell speach. Considering how things are today, some 200 plus later, in our Republic, the Great Man knew what he was speaking of.

Amazing details from very significant part of history

I've listen a lot, but narrator for this one was perfect. As for historic account of life of John Churchill it's amazing story how ordinary men shape course of history. It's well investigated and supported by facts, letters and documents. Regardless that from the outset it's said that Winston Churchill had goal to clear his relatives reputation, I never had feeling that anything other than factual approach was taken. I did not read other authors but I can easily understand that partisanship approach to recording history can result in smears and defamation. Overall, what I enjoyed the most are details written in letters by the people that lived 300 years ago (which seams so distant time today) which faced same hardship, dilemma and personal challenges in life just like we do today regardless of technological advancement. This details bring them back to life and makes them relatable just as if they are our contemporaries and feel connected to them even today.