The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume I: Visions of Glory 1874-1932

By: William Manchester

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 41 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Winston Churchill is perhaps the most important political figure of the 20th century. His great oratory and leadership during the Second World War were only part of his huge breadth of experience and achievement. Studying his life is a fascinating way to imbibe the history of his era and gain insight into key events that have shaped our time.

In political office at the end of WWI, Churchill foresaw the folly of Versailles and feared what a crippled Germany would do to the balance of power. In his years in the political wilderness, from 1931 to 1939, he alone of all British public men, continually raised his voice against Hitler and his appeasers. For over 50 years, he was constantly involved in, and usually at the center of, the most important events of his age. It was, however, his obduracy on matters of principle, his fortitude in the face of opposition, and his perseverance in standing alone that defined him.

©1983 William Manchester (P)1990 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Manchester is not only a master of detail but also of 'the big picture'....I daresay most Americans reading The Last Lion will relish it immensely." ( National Review)
"[Manchester] can claim the considerable achievement of having assembled enough powerful evidence to support Isaiah Berlin's judgment of Churchill as the largest human being of our time." (Alistair Cooke)

My favorite book among years of Audible books

Never did I understand so well what it was like to be English at the early years of the 1900s. Never did I understand why the US revolted and why John Adams fell out of favor. Awesome book that puts you in English society. The history of Churchill is awesome as well. You couldn't make this stuff up and never could I have imagined it on my own.

Hard to engage a book of this length but I found it very worthwhile.

Marvelous

This book is a fascinating and pleasurable listen. Christopher Hitchens calls it hagiography, but Manchester fairly acknowledges and discusses the various criticisms of Churchill, providing ample evidence for those who choose to disagree with his interpretation. There are certainly many things to dislike about this charismatic and dynamic figure—from his sense of entitlement to his rather distasteful bigotry—but The Last Lion does a marvelous job providing the reader with real insight into Churchill’s character and career. Frederick Davidson is a first-rate story-teller who does not overdo the Churchillian growl, pronounces German and French like a native, offers a wide-range of speaking voices (his young Churchill has just the right tinge of spoiled brat), and often had me laughing with his ability to express the author’s subtle irony. It is a great pity that Manchester never finished his grand designs for this biography.

The first part of the best Churchill Biography

William Manchester is one of the great writers of our time and does the most extensive and readable biography of one of the most important individual of the 20th century.

Excellent other than the young Winston impersonati

I have read the three volumes of Last Lion along with evything else 8 can find about Churchill any anyone who potentially shaped his life. But I read Last Lion in reverse order (started with Vol Iii). I am an American, but believe that Winston Churchill is the greatest leader of the 20th century and is rivaled only by Lincoln in the 19th. Volume I of Last Lion is wonderful, as is everything written by Manchester, although I I must admit that “Krup” was certainly a bit of a grind to finish

But in Last Lion Vol I, the narrator makes Churchill sound like an insufferably whiny bits. Churchill was undoubtably Winston Churchill’s biggest fan. He reveled in pointing that Out to anyone hom he met. That said, his hubris was a key part of what made him who he was, and the only person who could best “that man”, Herr Hitler. I can tolerate his manipulation of his mother to, in turn, manipulate her many lovers, But I believe the narrator overdoes Churchill’s petulance and immaturity.

Perhaps I am wrong in this. But young Winston is portrayed as more of a sociopath than as an astute student of human nature and how to motive people in dire circumstances. He was famous for his emotionality. This was either a cunning affectation, or a sincere proof that he and anything but sociopathic.

So by all means listen to this book, but know that Churchill’s voice is overdone.

Excellent

I enjoyed the book tremendously and the accented narration fits perfectly. You are transported back in time

Excellent book! I've listened several x's

I've owned this audiobook for about 8+ years and have listened to it several times over the years. It is really enjoyable and well-narrated. I highly recommend.

It Feels Like Churchill IS Telling His Life Story

Riveting. Revealing. The pathway to greatness is through adversity. Being a child of privilege is not necessarily a road to an easy life. Churchill almost never had it easy and there is so much to learn from his endurance and faithfulness.

Informative & spellbounding

The story, indepth history, & behind the scenes look at the early years of Churchill is fascinating. But it is the reading of it, that was truly magnificent! The voice actor was superb!

This is the goods

Will listen again, get it, get it now! Use 1.25 speed for efficiency.. Bookmarked so many good quotes performed well by the narrator!

Fabulously detailed exploration of W Churchill

If you could sum up The Last Lion in three words, what would they be?

Obstreperous unrepentant genius

Who was your favorite character and why?

Winston himself

What about Frederick Davidson’s performance did you like?

While initially off-putting, Davidson's mimicking of Churchill's voice was, for the most part, an added benefit to the narrative.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Loved it--totally absorbing.