The Second World War: The Grand Alliance

By: Sir Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Dealing with war on a giant scale, The Grand Alliance focuses on events as Britain, after fighting a desperate battle alone, was joined in the struggle against the enemy by Soviet Russia and the United Sates.

Hitler's invasion of Russia brought to an end a period of almost exactly a year during which Britain and her Empire had stood alone. Six months later, the United States, attacked by Japan, joined the war and the Grand Alliance was born. It was a momentous turn in the course of the war and Sir Winston Churchill noted, 'United we could subdue everybody else in the world. Many disasters, immeasurable cost and tribulation lay ahead, but there was no more doubt about the end.'

©1990 The Estate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Great narrative!

I recommend reading a good bio of Winston Churchill before hand it will make this series all the more enjoyable as you will have the pleasure of his thinking within a familiar context.

Fast and easy read, but in detail.

Sir Winston Churchill - The Second World War The Grand Alliance. This is the third book in a four book series. It's extremely good because it's first hand from Churchill. I read the past two books in order and the third series gets even better. I started this book overnight and woke up early to finish it. In this book, Churchill explains more about the battles of the field. My only sad face is that I need to wait until my credits renew to listen to the fourth and last book, Triumph and Tragedy. There is a great review on the fourth book and due to the respect to the reviewer, I won't be writing my own review on Triumph and Tragedy, because they did an superb job at reviewing the book. I can't wait.

First hand accounts just don't get any better.

To have such a readable and fascinating first-hand account of the highest levels of command during the war that defined the 20th century and set the stage for our own time is a treasure. If by forgetting history we are doomed to repeat it, this account is nothing short of a call to arms against fate itself. Read it.

Superb very well done

Really enjoyed this listen. Highly recommend it.

All Great but.......

I loved this seris, from milestones to disaster to the grand alliance. However the fourth installment triumph and tragedy is nowhere to be found. I hope it will be available soon. If you enjoyed this you will enjoy the Last Lion and American Ceasar by William Manchester.

Nothing Short of Remarkable

This review really could cover the whole four-part series. With no hyperbole, I can say that this was an eye-opening view of the point on which the whole 20th century pivoted. Churchill was a phenomenally gifted writer and having access to his insights and involvement gave me a view into WW II that was surprising, enlightening and very entertaining. One is struck by the prescience of Churchill's insights into both the Nazi regime and the Stalinist regime. I was also struck, particularly in Alone (the volume immediately preceding this) the level at which Britain really was by itself and one cannot help but come away with a renewed admiration for this island and her remarkable people.

I have devoured the entire series and will definitely return to these volumes in the future. Yes, there are places where the narrative seems a bit self-serving on the part of Churchill but he is also able to point the finger at himself when he read things incorrectly or made a judgment that, in light of what happened, he might have thought better of so it isn't really obnoxious.

Christian Rodska hits precisely the right place between sounding like a passable Churchill while not seeming like he is trying to imitate him. At several points over the course of the books, I had to remind myself that while the words were Churchill's the voice was not.

Remarkable!

The entire war as seen through the eyes of Winston Churchhill. A mesmerizing account, thorough and personal.The best book on World War II that I have read.

A great account of how tough decisions were made

A great account of how tough decisions were made. Sometimes the choices meant who would live or die, or abandoning a cherished, winning plan no one would do, in favor of one the allies could agree on. Churchill shines as one who faced and made the tough decisions others hid or waffled away from.

Can't wait to read the final volume.

This one was just as entertaining as the previous 2. Churchill is humbly self-serving, and that fact makes this story very entertaining.

Very informative and entertaining

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

From the beginning to the end of this all encompassing novel I was thoroughly engaged in the drawn out personal, political and military battles leading up to and through WW II. Churchill's account of the war can hardly be questioned considering his complete immersion in all the major events of the war years. He seems balanced in his views relative to the strengths and weaknesses of all the major combatants and his wry humor is evident throughout. His meetings with Stalin were particularly informative and entertaining. Christian Rodska's vocal impersonation of Churchill was spot on and yet he was equally persuasive as he switched from character to character.

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

Churchill's personal meetings with Roosevelt and Stalin were both poignant and heroic. The interactions between the old English Warhorse and the Russian revolutionary were combative at times and yet is was obvious that there was a certain warmth and mutual respect that could be seen throughout.

Have you listened to any of Christian Rodska’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this was my first opportunity

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

No, it is a very long enterprise.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended