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.

Who better to write about WWII than Churchill?

It's a great shame that the other leaders of the great powers were unable to publish their own memoirs following the Second World War, but if we had to chose one to do so, it would have inevitably been Sir Winston Churchill. In many ways, this is the definitive allied history of WWII in Europe, Churchill discusses the Pacific, but that largely wasn't his fight. It was written by the man who was not only involved in the war, but was at the very center of it and was written with all the Churchillian style we've come to love. The insights are invaluable, he not only chronicles the events of the war, he also explains the importance and motivations behind them with an authority no historian could ever hope to match. He even strives to present the war in the most objective manner possible, giving credit to German commanders where due, no easy feat for one who had just lead a nation through six years of so much hardship and suffering, though he is unabashedly anti-fascist and spares no criticism of Hitler's Nazi regime. It is not a comprehensive history of the war, as mentioned above, but it is an essential one, no one's understanding of WWII can be complete without reading this great work.

super

perfect. Winston was a very good leader. And his literature was excellent. And the reading is very good.

A superb overview

This is a wonderful introduction to both the political and military circumstances and events leading to the most destructive war in history.
The reader should continue their reading through, at least, to include the rest of Churchill's Volumes covering the war.
Don't stop there. It would serve any serious reader well to read other accounts of these events. Of particular interest should be the very humble attitude Mr. Churchill assumed during the meeting described in the last chapter. The meeting so briefly recounted when he was selected over Lord Halifax to ask the King's permission to form a new government.
He reports he hardly spoke.
Why?
The fate of the free world hung in the balance.
You need to understand what Lord Halifax's real motives were in putting Winston's name forward.

A unique perspective on massive historical event

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Second World War?

Really? Is this a real question?

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

As an actor with an english accent and the fact he seems to be trying to sound a little like Winston Churchill it is a unique listen as opposed to just reading the book.

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

I like to spread books out and listen to different ones at different times, driving, exercising etc. I would not be able to sit still long enough to listen to any 12 hour book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

These questions do not give you a chance to do the book justice. It is one of the most unique perspectives available for a major historical event in human history written by an exceptional writer who was right in the middle of it and on face value admits his own mistakes, does not crucify others he feels may have been making mistakes at the time. It is a balanced description of international relations at the time, why Hitler became so powerful in Germany and why no one wanted to do anything about it. It is also a unique outline of the political environment in Britain at the time and a great insight into the difference technology made to warfare between the first and second world wars. Anyone interesting in the second world war I don't think you will be disappointed with this Volume of The Second World War by Winston Chuchill.

Outstanding

I found this by accident and boy am I glad I did. This is such a deep and well written book. The narrator is terrific. Churchill goes into all the backdealing and intrigue that led up to what he called the Unnecessary War. I will get the other books next.

Good overview of WWII

This was a good overview of the happenings during some of WWI and WWII. The narrator was very good and the story, was very interesting. Didn't follow some of the words because I had never heard of them. Overall for a view on the lead up to WWII - this book was worth it.

Outstanding

I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series and would wholeheartedly recommend it. What a great and tragic period in world history with implications still today. The narrator of this series was phenomenal. I began to feel as though it was the very voice and personality of Churchill himself. I will certainly listen to this series again as time permits.

more please!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes. if you like history, if you like great historical figures, you must absorb this work.

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

William Manchester books. both are history well told. the difference is the perspective. Manchester reports on historical figures lives in an interesting and captivating way. Churchill tells it himself. Both great.

What about Christian Rodska???s performance did you like?

really? i thought it was Chruchill himself.

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

that would be stretching it a bit.

Important historical piece of work

Very insightful, and important take on the European side of world war 2. I recommend.

Have listened to series at least 5 times! Love it!!

I am a history nerd especially when it comes to WWII in Europe. This entire series is very informative and a bit entertaining if you're paying attention. It really shocks me how the political powers of the time might have prevented WWII but were driven by blind ideology and pursuit of legacy that they let every opportunity escape them. We, as a civilization, are mirroring their mistakes today. History will repeat itself if we do not learn from it, or worse, we stop teaching true history altogether.
Fascinating book with great detail. Five stars all way around in my opinion. Christian Rodska is a superstar narrator. His voices for multiple characters are consistent through multiple volumes!!