The Second World War: Alone

By: Sir Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.

Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:

1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy

Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:

1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy

©2008 The Estate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Succinct it most definitely isn't, but then if your legendary bulldog-breed leadership had won the war you'd probably take your time about it. It was originally published in six volumes (now you see why Norman Stone is the lick), but Churchill himself abridged it to four, each lasting around 10 hours. I meant to get Volume 1, but never mind - I'm riveted by events between March 1940 and July 1941, especially Hitler's detailed plans to invade Britain by laying a narrow corridor of mines under the Channel. Though without Christian Rodska's wonderful voice - dare one say it's better than Churchill's - I might just have dozed off during the statistical bits."( The Guardian)

Fantastic

If you could sum up The Second World War: Alone in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring story of courage amidst overwhelming odds against success.

What did you like best about this story?

The courage of the British Commonwealth (including my country Canada) to fight for freedom ,on their own ,when the rest of Europe had succumbed to Nazi domination.

What does Christian Rodska bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great voice - speaks with passion and articulation. It felt as if Churchill himself were speaking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I couldn't find the time for that but would have been intense.

Building towards a great climax

Even though the outcome of world war 2 is well known, this book continues to build towards the great climax. I was continuously wondering what will happen next. From the war on the British front to the battles being fought in the mediterranean and the desert of North Africa, this book covers the grim events of in detail. The story line and the narration transported me into the battlefields and the headquarters where the next strategic decision was being made.

Dont read this unless you have read part 1.

The War Fought by Churchill

Would you consider the audio edition of The Second World War: Alone to be better than the print version?

I do not believe the audio version is any better than the written version. I have read Churchill's books and love his writing. The audio edition does have a marvelous narrator, though. He sounds much as I recall Churchill sounding on the radio.

By the way, Christian Rodska has not only the cadence of speech down well, but he also has the unconscious quality of Churchill's conviction of being right. It is quite wonderful, and makes the man come alive.

What other book might you compare The Second World War: Alone to and why?

Antony Beevor's "Stalingrad" is as detailed and thorough and harrowing, if not more so. I loved this book.

What about Christian Rodska’s performance did you like?

His cadence and deliberateness was wonderful. See above for further observations.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Germany's betrayal of Russia...although expected, of course, it was a shock to many and particularly to Russia.

Any additional comments?

A wonderful read, and when combined with the other books in the series it is quite a good and thorough history of WWII. I recommend it.

A must read!

Superb in its content! Read by an actor who you would believe is Winston Churchill from self. Wonderful insight cunning accuracy the Second World War. A superior blend of behind the scenes political maneuvering daytoday strategic and tactical defense little man at the top of the Second World War alone

It's hard to choose the best quote

Even if you don't like audiobooks this is one I recommend. Super narration of the audiobook by Christian Rodska, it seems that Sir Winston Churchill himself is telling the history. It's hard to pick the best quote from this book.

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few

or maybe

We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

or else

I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.

Must Read for students of WW2

Well written and well read. This is a must read for anyone interested in studying ww2.

Classic Churchill

Great reading of a great writer. I love Churchill's writing style, and while I've read many works about the Second World War, so much ink put on so much paper comes from this very source in one way or another.

World War 2 must read

This book is even better than the first in the series! The first book focused mainly on political strife and diplomatic exchanges. Book 2 is war from start to finish, leading us through France's collapse to the invasion of Russia, with gripping details outlining each decision Churchill made. Yet again, cant wait to read the next book in the series!
Christian Rodska is great as Winston Churchill

Excelente

A Masterfull and great interpretation, that honours the deed of great men! Trully Enjoyable narrative

One of the best works ever written on subject

This book contains brilliant first hand accounts of events that shaped the world we live in today.