• Gandhi & Churchill

  • By: Arthur Herman
  • Narrated by: John Curless
  • Length: 29 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (739 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Gandhi & Churchill  By  cover art

Gandhi & Churchill

By: Arthur Herman
Narrated by: John Curless
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $30.09

Buy for $30.09

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In this fast-paced epic, best-selling historian and master storyteller Arthur Herman spotlights two giants of the 20th century. Gandhi & Churchill shows how their 40-year rivalry revolutionized India and the British Empire, paving the way for a new era. Gandhi championed India's independence, Churchill the British Empire.
©2008 Arthur Herman (P)2008 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Gandhi & Churchill

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    392
  • 4 Stars
    211
  • 3 Stars
    99
  • 2 Stars
    26
  • 1 Stars
    11
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    308
  • 4 Stars
    130
  • 3 Stars
    47
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    300
  • 4 Stars
    135
  • 3 Stars
    53
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A motif that works well

I was uncertain whether a dual biography made sense, but in the hands of the author, it works very well, giving a clearer picture of each man. The visions of the two men arise from a shared Victorian world view. They occasionally crossed paths, and they clashed directly over India's independence. Both men lived heroic lives, suffered Herculean setbacks, espoused unpopular views, were both loved and despised at different times by the masses, embodied the highest virtues of their cultures, accomplished great things, failed to accomplish their most cherished goals, and will be remembered for centuries to come. History doesn't get any better than this -- it's the story of two amazing lives told with flair.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

62 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply excellent

This is a very well written history, which I have now listened to twice. I found it so compelling that I subsequently purchased the hard copy so I could read and annotate it. I read the book having already read much on Churchill (including Manchester's biographies) but I wasn't disappointed since this book really focuses primarily on India and Gandhi, but in a manner that also tracks Churchill's life and influence as well. This is truly one of the best audiobooks I've purchased from audible.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

47 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

When Leaders Were Statesmen

A long and detailed history, the result of thorough research and a fine critical mind when it comes to analysis of the relative importance of the events described. The writer has a clear, unfussy style and I never find myself going back to hear again something I cannot comprehend first time around.

I have read much about Churchill and this book gives me a new perspective on the great man. Indeed, I now understand his shortcomings far better. Ghandi was new to me and this is an excellent biography. In the case of neither man is it a glowing, one sided tribute but more a full frontal picture, warts and all, focusing on their very great achievements alongside their blind spots.

The book gets better as it rolls out. The climax, in which Herman details the funerals of each man is very moving; some of the best writing I have enjoyed.

The reader is clear and strong, necessary in a book of this length where it is easy to pretend to listen.

Good, important history.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Must for Any History Buff

An excellent and totally painless way to gain some insight to the history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries by examining the lives of two of that periods' most fascinating people. The book was comprehensive but not mired in too much detail. The narration was superb. I have often wondered at the larger-than-life images and reputation of each of these men, and this book manages to strip away the “superman” aura and still leave you with an appreciation of two of the most influential men of the 20th century. Highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

British Raj & the tale of two giants

What a fantastic book! Well written and narrated. A+++++. After listening to the "Team of Rivals", my favorite book, I was not sure whether any other book lasting over 20 hours would keep me interested from the beginning to the end without wavering! This one did.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Relearnig History

I had read about Ghandi 40 years ago so it was great to learn the story again in the context of the Raj represented by Churchill. As India rises as an economic force, this is a good introduction to early failed relationships with the West

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I have enjoyed listening to this book very much. I listen about 1 hour per day on the way to and from work. Amazing story and has parallels between the British attempts to control foreign lands in the 1800's&1900's and the US present day foreign policy. I had no idea how extensive the British empire was until I listened to this recording. We gain more insight into Ghandi then that offered by the remarkable film about him. Churchill's career path is amazing and tortuous.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Why?

Why would you write a book about two men whose lives intertwined, but then take sides? Mr. Herman takes every opportunity possible to degrade Gandhi and belittle the man. While I think there is a lot too learn from books such as these, I found the bias against Gandhi throughout the book surprising and the premise of the book a stretch. There are only random cross references between the two. Essentially these are two books sold as one. Think Outcast SpeakerBoxx/Love Below double CD set. I would recommend passing this one up.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Detailed, Honest Biography

This is a good biography of two of the most influential, yet misunderstood men of the last century.Years ago, I was suprised to find that many Indians do not think Gahndi was a hero or even a great leader. This book goes into the detail that is sorely missing from everything else I have read about Gahndi.
Churchill too is often revered as a great leader. This book helps to delineate the man from the myth by detailing his personal and professional flaws.
Overall a very good biography, the book contrasts their early lives and how they eventually became the great me history portrays them. A must read for the 20th century history buff!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorite books

Simply outstanding account of two of the most significant figures in the history of the British Commonwealth/Empire

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful