The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3

Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965

By: William Manchester, Paul Reid

Narrated by: Clive Chafer, Paul Reid

Length: 53 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Spanning the years 1940 to 1965, Defender of the Realm, the third volume of William Manchester’s The Last Lion, picks up shortly after Winston Churchill became prime minister - when his tiny island nation stood alone against the overwhelming might of Nazi Germany. The Churchill portrayed by Manchester and Reid is a man of indomitable courage, lightning-fast intellect, and an irresistible will to action.

This volume brilliantly recounts how Churchill organized his nation’s military response and defense, compelled President Roosevelt to support America’s beleaguered cousins, and personified the "never surrender" ethos that helped the Allies win the war, while at the same time adapting himself and his country to the inevitable shift of world power from the British Empire to the United States.

More than 20 years in the making, The Last Lion presents a revelatory and unparalleled portrait of this brilliant, flawed, and dynamic leader. This is popular history at its most stirring.

©2012 John Manchester, Julie Manchester, Laurie Manchester and Paul Reid; published by arrangement with John Manchester, Julie Manchester and Laurie Manchester (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc

Critic reviews

"Before his death in 2004, an ill Manchester asked former Cox newspapers journalist Reid to take his research notes and finish writing the final volume of his trilogy. The long-delayed majestic account of Winston Churchill’s last 25 years is worth the wait…. Manchester matches the outstanding quality of biographers such as Robert Caro and Edmund Morris, joining this elite bank of writers who devote their lives to one subject." ( Publishers Weekly)

"General readers, as always, will be taken by [Manchester's] boundless abilities as a storyteller…. Essential for Manchester collectors, WWII buffs, and Churchill completists." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"A big book but reads easily…. The finished book is a worthy conclusion to what must be considered one of the most thorough treatments of Churchill so far produced. An essential conclusion to Manchester's magnum opus." ( Library Journal)

Churchill

Very well done book about one of history's most interesting characters. The book is comprehensive, and delves into all the back stories during WSC's amazing life and times.

How to Ruin a Masterpiece

Would you listen to The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 again? Why?

I will not listen to The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 again - simply because of Clive Chafer's miserable performance. Mr. Chafer has a very cultured voice and is most likely well educated. However, he read this volume in almost a complete monotone. Most sentences are read as open-ended phrases rather than complete thoughts. The convention of dropping one's voice at the end of a sentence seems to have escaped him. I hate to be so negative - but I eagerly waited decades (literally) for this work to be completed and purchased the audio version simply because waiting until I had time to go to the store was an unacceptable delay in finally hearing the completion of this masterful work. Reid did his job superbly. And Chafer ruined it.Let me add that the portions read by Mr. Reid were well done and enjoyable. I wish he had chosen to read the work himself.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3?

I can't answer this because I was only able to tolerate listening to the first download portion (approx 8 hours). I will purchase the book and read it for myself and then review the written work.

Would you be willing to try another one of Clive Chafer and Paul Reid ’s performances?

I will NEVER listen to anything Clive Chafer reads again.

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

No way to accomplish this, but yes - the content is riveting - even though Chafer's reading makes it frustrating to listen.

Sorry, not the same as volume I

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

Yes, I suppose. I've only listened to vol I and I thought that did a wonderful job of making WSC the center of WWI. I didn't get the same sense from this book - it was interesting but not as clearly focused.

What other book might you compare The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 to and why?

WSC Vol I was a perfect biography- making the case that he was the most interesting character in this century.

Have you listened to any of Clive Chafer and Paul Reid ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This performance was OK but not as good as volume I. I didn't get as strong a sense of WSC'c voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I didn't actually finish this book, I got tired of listening to the end of the empire.

Any additional comments?

I think V3 is not as strong as V1 (didn't read V2). It doesn't center everything in WSC so I felt it turned into another history of WW2.

Brilliant!

I'm actually quite sad, now that I've finished all the volumes... What will be next, now?

Good Book ...Long Story

Where does The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have been a follower of all things Winston Churchill for a long time. This book was another must read for me. It was a bit long on the war and short on the life afterwards but worth the effort. I bought the book and followed along with the audible narration. I must admit I would have stumbled in the comprehension a bit without the narration. At 1050 plus pages it was a good audiobook to purchase because of the shear volume and mass of the subject material.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The inner workings of the mind of WSC were most interesting.

The least interesting was the minutiae of some of the lesser war time battles and encounters.

Have you listened to any of Clive Chafer and Paul Reid ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not listened to any other performances of these men before.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The affirmation of facts previuosly known about the great man. Also, WSC's big ideas were sometimes both hairbrained and interesting at same time

Any additional comments?

Good Book....Long Story

conclusion to the most in-depth bio on the subject

this is by far the most in-depth biography you could ever find on the subject. the third and final book does not fail to bring great Authority on the subject of Winston Churchill's life as well as understanding of everything from World War II to Modern Times. Trulia masterpiece of biography.

incredible detail and delivery

I was thoroughly impressed by the detail, for a 50 hour book it is imminently readable throughout. the quotes are read with character

Greatest biography I’ve ever read

I urge anyone who wishes to better themselves to read this book and learn from the choices Winston made in his epic life. Yes he was a flawed man but a truly great man.

should be required reading . . .

albeit in a condensed form. I am a history buff born in central Europe but raised in the US. I thought I knew quite a bit about WW2 and the geographic region of my birth. Turns out I didn't nor did I appreciate what a difference the right man/woman in the right place at the right time can make. Winston Churchill was such a man. if not for Churchill we'd all be speaking German. and if only we'd listened to Churchill in the aftermath of WW2 we could have spared eastern and central Europe 40 plus years under the communist yoke.

good value

The narrators are excellent . The material itself is interesting but not as insightful as the original Manchester material of the early life but still a useful historical view.Given the breadth of material and particularly the narrators strengths it is very good value.