Great Contemporaries

By: Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Ric Jerrom

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Great Contemporaries profiles towering figures ranging from Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Lawrence of Arabia and Leon Trotsky to Charlie Chaplin, H. G. Wells, Rudyard Kipling and George Bernard Shaw. Written in the decade before Churchill became prime minister, the essays in Great Contemporaries focus on the challenges of statecraft at a time when the democratic revolution was toppling older regimes based on tradition and aristocratic privilege.

Churchill's keen observations take on new importance in our own age of roiling political change. Ultimately, Great Contemporaries provides fascinating insight into the statesman's perspective.

Churchill's objective is clear: he tries to learn from these giants what makes a man great. He approaches his subjects with a measuring eye, finding their limitations at least as revealing as their merits. This new edition of Great Contemporaries brings back Churchill's unmatched insights and unforgettable prose for a new generation of listeners and leaders.

©1937 Winston Churchill (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Performance is too affected

I don't like the style of the narrator, too affected. The gyration of his tone serves as too much of a distraction, even to the point of losing the thread of story or mincing up words and phrases.

Churchill is brilliant

Churchill is one of the best writers of all time. His incredible insight into situations and people is often prophetic. Much of what he discussed, although about events that happened 100+ years ago, are timeless. “Democracy is like holding a wolf by the ears” is one great quote from the book. He also uses wit to make remarks of dry humor about his subjects.

Somewhat dated but interesting

Many of Churchill’s “great contemporaries” are not very well remembered today but nevertheless the profiles here are absorbing. Churchill has a florid style and the narrator gives it its full value. Many political scores are settled, but Churchill shows respect even for those he doesn’t like. All the profiles were written in the 1930’s, so the constant references to “the war” refer to World War I. A familiarity with late 19th century English political history helps a listener to follow these accounts.

Churchill's Pre WWII Fame & Experience on Display

Anyone who loves history, understands that it is made by people. These narratives by Churchill reveal as much about him as it does his contemporaries... which, no doubt W.C. had planned. Excellent.

Churchill's Classic Biographical Essays

Winston Churchill provides entertaining and opinionated biographical essays on his political, royal and cultural contemporaries.

Well-written short bios of Churchill's great contemporaries.

Churchill's writing is always entertaining, and he doesn't disappoint with this book. Each chapter is a mini biography of a famous public figure whose career overlapped with Churchill's. Due to his family position, he knew many important people and had an intimate inside perspective of many of their lives.

great to listen to

I really enjoyed this reading of Churchills work. it was so enjoyable and informative