The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume I: Visions of Glory 1874-1932

By: William Manchester

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 41 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Winston Churchill is perhaps the most important political figure of the 20th century. His great oratory and leadership during the Second World War were only part of his huge breadth of experience and achievement. Studying his life is a fascinating way to imbibe the history of his era and gain insight into key events that have shaped our time.

In political office at the end of WWI, Churchill foresaw the folly of Versailles and feared what a crippled Germany would do to the balance of power. In his years in the political wilderness, from 1931 to 1939, he alone of all British public men, continually raised his voice against Hitler and his appeasers. For over 50 years, he was constantly involved in, and usually at the center of, the most important events of his age. It was, however, his obduracy on matters of principle, his fortitude in the face of opposition, and his perseverance in standing alone that defined him.

©1983 William Manchester (P)1990 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Manchester is not only a master of detail but also of 'the big picture'....I daresay most Americans reading The Last Lion will relish it immensely." ( National Review)
"[Manchester] can claim the considerable achievement of having assembled enough powerful evidence to support Isaiah Berlin's judgment of Churchill as the largest human being of our time." (Alistair Cooke)

Tip Top

Highly recommend. A truly great story of extraordinary man read to perfection by the narrator.

Superb - Review of Both Volume I & Volume II

I am writing this review for both volumes and putting it in both places. This is a well narrated story written by what has been described as the best biographer of the 20th Century about a man who was perhaps the greatest man to live in the 20th Century. What's not to like?
Both volumes have advantages over the other (listed below), but bottom line is that both are marvelous works. I doubt too many will be able to read Volume I without soon proceeding to Volume II. Volume I pluses include a better narrator (***** vs ****) (I was impressed with his mature Churchill voice and amazed that he started with a good child Churchill and gradually aged him into the famous voice we all love!), a more narrative/chronological layout as opposed to more topical, and illumination of the transition of the Victorian age through WWI and up to the Depression. This is a time of which I knew little relative to what came before and after. Volume II has the obvious advantage of fleshing out the rise of Hitler and explaining how the Appeasers were a product of their times.
I know it will take close to 80 hours to listen to both, but the time will fly and you will wish you could listen to Volume III, which was unfortunately never written. Both books are great though I slightly preferred the first volume.

Churchill: the Man of the Last Century

The Last Lion: It seems impossible that so many pieces of historical minutia, every little dribble of Winston Churchill’s life, from birth to 1932 can so deeply capture one's attention. Not a single iota of data – bored me? No, in fact I waded through this history with eager élan to hear more and more and more.

I had no idea Churchill’s life was such a struggle from parent neglect to constant antagonism from his House of Common party members, and of course, the opposition. I did not know he was such a war lord, and warrior in many theaters of conflict including the trenches in World War I. Nor did I have an adequate understanding how sharp a mind he had, and how caring he was for the downtrodden, as long as they respected their place alongside but not ahead of the British upper class. In fact, he had prejudices; although there was merely a distinction between peoples, but not a derogation of their humanity. Nevertheless, a prejudice. It was interesting to learn of his disgust of the Mahatma Gandhi – which was nothing compared to disgust at Bolshevism. Nor had I known how he financed his life, or how prolific of a writer he was – Darn! - His productivity makes me jealous. If one wants to learn how to be a real 19th century man; read this book. In short, as paraphrased towards the end of the book from his adversaries: Churchill does not debate, he orates, and he was always sure of his point of view and does not want to hear yours. That would be an indictment, but for the fact that Churchill was almost always correct.

I have recently read Churchill’s four book series on World War II. He is a very enjoyable writer, balanced but proud of who he was and what he accomplished. He was such a distinct human being it seems an easy task to now add another 137 hours (the length of this Manchester series on his life) to my reading/listening leisure time. Of course, reading a William Manchester biography – makes it easy. (Manchester died before completing the work and Paul Reid, finished the story – to equally great reviews.)

Finally, at least this first book was narrated by Frederick Davidson. He can read the ingredients on a can of beans and I would enjoy the delivered information. Now just a little more on Davidson. He always sounds too haughty, as though he is over affected with himself, for the first few pages. But no; he masters each topic and delivers with just the right effect, and in relatively good distinct voices – even though he never loses his haughtiness. So far Book One, a great read. I go on from here.

It’s a tedium but it’s a read well worth endeavoring.

Deeply Engrossing

This first volume of Manchester's admirable biography of Churchill provides fascinating detail on Churchill's first 58 years. If you're interested in the two world wars, and the greatest personality of his era, the man who did the most to save the world from Hitler, dig in, and be prepared to immerse yourself in a bygone world, brilliantly researched and richly painted. I am now on Volume III, and have enjoyed every hour spent listening to this extraordinary biography of an extraordinary man.

Listeners who dislike British accents may not appreciate Davidson's reading, but hang in there... the rich and engrossing story survives this dated recording.

superb

a real joy and engaging writing style that grows on you. And Churchill was a pretty amazing guy and a life that could be a plot for many movies.

A Fine Biography

Reccommend this to all Churchillians and lovers of history. A comprehensive study of Churchill's boyhood, youth, military adventures and early success in Parliament, and his many missteps as well and wilderness experience. Did not care for the narration. Made it difficult to stay awake.

Surprisingly hilarious

No, seriously, the book is amazingly funny. For all I've admired and respected Churchill, the thought of him bursting out in a theater "If the donkey dies, I should leave" was just awesomely funny. Certainly the well known wit is featured, but the, very human, playfulness he showed to his wife and children made for genuine humor.

Yes, it's a mindbogglingly thorough history of the man, and it's not all fun. Some of it is simply heart wrenching. Some reads like an adventure novel. However, if you're not laughing a good bit this book you probably should see a professional about it.

Awe inspiring

This and the second and third volumes were sensational. It's incredible to me that any one person could have lived such a life. I could not recommend a book any more highly.

Great book but...

I never thought I would say this about a biography but there was almost too much detail at times to the point of losing interest. The first 4-5 chapters of the book were setting the scene of the 1800s and what people were doing, wearing, thinking, etc. And then Winston Churchill was born. It was almost too much to bear.

It's a great story but a tedious read at times. I highly recommend the audiobook as it will prevent you from re-reading the same line over and over when your mind wanders. The audiobook pushes through the muck.

Amazing reader, excellent writer!

Obviously, this is not a book for the casual listener. But if you are interested in the history of the Victorian period, WWI, the English Empire, or (obviously) Winston Churchill himself, you will not regret downloading this book. It is thorough, but not tedious, which in a book this length is quite the accomplishment. It is a far from a simple hagiography - we see Churchill with all his warts and poor decisions without any attempt at justifying or or explaining away incongruities. It does a good job portraying the wonderful complexity of the circumstances and personality that go into producing a great man like Churchill.

The reader deserves a special mention - his Churchill voice is very good, his accents are very good (except his Russian one!), and his reading is simply perfect for this volume. I highly recommend this audiobook.