The Birth of Britain

A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume I

By: Sir Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The English-speaking peoples comprise perhaps the greatest number of human beings sharing a common language in the world today. These people also share a common heritage. For his four-volume work, Sir Winston Churchill took as his subject these great elements in world history. Volume 1 commences in 55 BC, when Julius Caesar famously "turned his gaze upon Britain" and concludes with the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

Don't miss the rest of the titles in this great series!

Volume II The New World: A History of the English Speaking Peoples,

Volume III The Age of Revolution: A History of the English Speaking Peoples, and

Volume IV The Great Democracies: A History of the English Speaking Peoples.

©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Greatness

Churchill's command of English history is unparalleled. His prose is descriptive but not cumbersome. Phenomenal story telling.

Excellent Storytelling

Written like Sir Walter Scott’s Tales of a Scottish Grandfather - A History of Scotland, Churchill writes his prose not as an academic but as a vigorous student and lover of English history.

He does a fantastic job capturing the narrative component of history through the means of great story telling.

Vol. I goes through Britain’s early tribal beginnings under Roman rule up til the death of King Richard with great characters such as William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc introduced and great story arcs such as the battle between the House of York and Lancaster which ignite the War of the Roses.

Traditional Historical Writing at its Best

This is not a modern academic work of history, it's something more. From time to time it lacks the precision that we have come to expect of books on history written by academic historians, the careful balancing different points of view, and objective commentary. This work is Sir Winston at his best, with all his quirks and ideals. He offers unabashed praise of the English Speaking Peoples, their laws, their customs, their history, and their values and; in this world of politically correct 'objective' academic works, it seems a breath of fresh air. It was written by a son of the English aristocracy who makes no apologies for his views, his ancestors, or his past. And, yet, don't think that it's a politically incorrect or biased work, it's not, he's simply indifferent to these concerns. This indifference grants him the ability to comment freely on the events of history and this commentary is where the book really shines. Churchill makes connections between events throughout history that help tie together a thousand years of our past and help to explain events that might otherwise seem unrelated or inexplicable. Some of these connections are the type that modern historians would require an entire book to justify, Churchill simply asserts them, you are free to form your own opinion about their value or veracity. More than relaying history, Churchill explains history and this fact will likely ensure that this work is read for centuries to come.

Lots of info but thoroughly enjoyable

I agree with another reviewer that the many names, places, events and battles are hard to keep track of and I had to rewind often to keep up. Eventually I decided to just go with the flow and only rewound when really necessary. Once I gave up having to have all the details, I realized I was still retaining the general sense and direction of the events and still very much enjoying it. I like hearing Churchill???s take on things ??? especially when he remarks on how these historical events are similar to events in his time, which is powerful in light of what he lived through. I also really liked the narrator who sounded very Churchillian to me. Always clear, never hard to understand and had a pleasant pace and flow to his reading. I???m getting the second volume now and look forward to hearing about Elizabeth I.

Magnificant Historian

I don't know a better writer than Winston Churchill. It is like sitting in the room with a great story teller. My only regret about this book is that it covers too much ground too quickly. Having read a substantial amount about English history I still have difficulty keeping the Kings and Queens straight. Keeping this in mind this is a book that I shall read (listen to) several times.I cannot recommend the read more highly.

A great work of history!

A great book if you are interested in English history. Well researched and written in a smooth and flowing way. I am now going to read vol. 2 in the series.

King Alfred the Great...

Churchill's treatment of King Alfred the Great is simply worthy of the price of admission alone. The only Christian King to ever sit on the English Throne. While Volume II takes silly jabs at Calvin, Luther, and the Puritans -as has always been in vouge- Volume I gives credit where credit is due, atleast in reference to a truely great man who made his enemies -the Danes- not only his friends, but made them sons; who invited them to his own table, and made them to share in his inheritance. Check it out. Defenitely worth your time.

Good Narrative History of Early Britain

Definitely didn't read like a textbook, and I found the fact that such a politician as prominent as Churchill could write such a compelling history to be fascinating. This is a history of England from the times of Julius Caesar to the end of the Wars of the Roses, and the depth along the way seemed just right for a semi-casual history fan.

Only negative was that the chapters in the audio aren't aligned with where audible has the chapters cut - I was frustrated by this since it makes it harder to stop listening at convenient stopping points.

English History From a Master

There is a reason Winston Churchill could always be sure that his finances could be refilled by his writing. This is English history in great detail that feels like a wonderful story.

Churchill had a great feel for this history of his country and people, and this (the first of his 4 volume History of the English Speaking Peoples) gets the story rolling quickly. The story does go back into pre-Roman Britain, but it really gets rolling with his detailed look at all the kings and battles that put England together out of a rolling cast of Vikings, Saxons, Scots, Picts, and all the various brigands that tried to control this island.

The detail of the history is good, but what really brings this to a higher level of history is Churchill's insight into what the actions of different people or groups meant to the overall history of England and its culture.

Its interesting to note that this book was actually researched and started before WW I, but he went back to it after this cataclysm and brought out a classic of history.

I can't wait for the other 3 volumes to appear.

The Chapters Are Not Lined Up With The Audiobook

I loved the audiobook. The narrator is great, but the only downside is that the chapters do not line up with the audiobook, which is upsetting. This also makes it very easy to lose where you are in the book if you have it (I did). Otherwise I would recommend this audiobook.