The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster

By: Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Churchill's history of the Second World War is, and will remain, the definitive work. Lucid, dramatic, remarkable for its breadth and sweep and for its sense of personal involvement, it is universally acknowledged as a magnificent reconstruction. 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. Audible has published the unabridged recordings of Churchill's condensed volume, divided into four parts, as follows:

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

©1959 Cassell and Co. Ltd; 1990 the Esate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Entertaining and informative

Churchill gives a blow-by-blow account of the events leading up the WW2. It is much better than any other account I have read.

First Hand Account

The reader sounded like Churchill himself.
Churchill was a first rate historian. Amazing and factual details. Excellent.

very interesting book, excellent audio performance

Churchill's history of WWII has long been one of those books I wanted to read but hadn't gotten around to. I wasn't sure what to expect but I anticipated that it would be well-written, extrapolating from Churchill's oratory skills. I was not disappointed.

A good bit of the book is a memoir of Churchill's own experiences, rather than a third person account of political and military events. This first volume of the whole history primarily deals with the period leading up to the outbreak of war, so listeners expecting a play-by-play account of violent clashes between the warring nations will find that there is actually very little of it in "Milestones to Disaster." Presumably, the later volumes in Churchill's history of WWII will be more in that vein.

The narration by Christian Rodska is very good. He doesn't quite go so far as to try to embody the author in a fully theatrical sort of way, but there's a touch of that. When another person is quoted at length, such as Neville Chamberlain, Rodska alters his voice and does a creditable job of not only bringing that person to life but also of conveying perhaps Churchill's opinion of the man in doing so. In all, I think Rodska does a great job of adding just a bit of that theatrical quality without being ridiculous. I often forgot that I was listening to a modern reader and I would fall under the spell that I was hearing Churchill himself narrate his own book, even though it did not seem that Rpdska was trying to actually mimic Churchill's voice.

Perhaps the best compliment I can give "Milestones to Disaster" is simply comment that I plan to spend my credits on the rest of the volumes to finish out the entire history.

Why do we keep making the same mistakes?

First, Churchill is one of my favorite, if not favorite, figures of the 20th Century. What would the world look like today if he had not been where he was when he was most needed? To listen in great detail to the circumstances leading to the Second World War and how the lack of sound leadership based far too often on how the decision would impact the next election is heart breaking especially when you see the very same thing happening today.

Mel Brooks said it best in Blazing Saddles. "We've got to protect our phony baloney jobs!"

What a great book and narrator!

Of course you know what your getting with this work or historical art but what a great narrator. They went all the way with this guy!

To-the-point perspective from a great man's pen

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

it is all great

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that you are getting the facts from an acclaimed historian about a time when the writer is on of the 3 key figures in one of the most important times in world history makes this book an opportunity that is special at many levels

What about Christian Rodska’s performance did you like?

The book lays out very professionally and lets the words speak for the ages

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

The fact that the history is laid out by the man who made the history, and that it is done in a straightforward manner from the viewpoint of an historian makes this a must read for those who focus on non-fiction

Any additional comments?

It is charming how he weaves in suggestions about how to take naps during times of prolonged stress while describing the history of World War II.

Absolutely fantastic book and narration

Fantastic book. Churchill is an incredibly eloquent writer, and the narrator was amazing, it sounded like you were listening to Churchill himself.

An excellent book on WW II

Christian Rodska does a remarkable job in his narration. And, of course, Sir Winston Churchill gives us a gripping and significant understanding of the run up to and the first year of World War II.

Book one of the Churchill trilogy. Simply marvelous!

Wonderful insights from Churchhill’s perspective on Hitler’s rise to power and the resultant unfolding of events that led to World War II. I felt the Churchill’s writing was straightforward, certainly no false modesty, nor false pride or unwarranted arrogance. He certainly was a fascinating and unique individual Who was needed and came along at the right time in history to take a leadership role and do what was necessary to help preserve freedom and democracy in the Western world.

Well Done

Churchill has preserved for us his perspective on the times and the events between the two great wars which inexorably encouraged and sustained the martial adventures of dictators who acknowledged no moral constraints on their ambitions. This narration does a very good job of emulating the very recognizable characteristics of Churchills manner of speaking.