Churchill

Walking with Destiny

By: Andrew Roberts

Narrated by: Stephen Thorne

Length: 50 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

One of The Wall Street Journal's 10 best books of 2018

One of The Economist's best books of 2018

One of The New York Times' notable books of 2018

"Unarguably the best single-volume biography of Churchill... A brilliant feat of storytelling, monumental in scope, yet put together with tenderness for a man who had always believed that he would be Britain’s savior." (Wall Street Journal)

In this landmark biography of Winston Churchill based on extensive new material, the true genius of the man, statesman, and leader can finally be fully seen and understood—by the best-selling, award-winning author of Napoleon and The Storm of War

When we seek an example of great leaders with unalloyed courage, the person who comes to mind is Winston Churchill: the iconic, visionary war leader immune from the consensus of the day, who stood firmly for his beliefs when everyone doubted him. But how did young Winston become Churchill? What gave him the strength to take on the superior force of Nazi Germany when bombs rained on London and so many others had caved? In Churchill, Andrew Roberts gives listeners the full and definitive Winston Churchill, from birth to lasting legacy, as personally revealing as it is compulsively listenable.

Roberts gained exclusive access to extensive new material: transcripts of War Cabinet meetings, diaries, letters, and unpublished memoirs from Churchill's contemporaries. The Royal Family permitted Roberts—in a first for a Churchill biographer—to read the detailed notes taken by King George VI in his diary after his weekly meetings with Churchill during World War II. This treasure trove of access allows Roberts to understand the man in revelatory new ways, and to identify the hidden forces fueling Churchill's legendary drive.

We think of Churchill as a hero who saved civilization from the evils of Nazism and warned of the grave crimes of Soviet communism, but Roberts's masterwork reveals that he has as much to teach us about the challenges leaders face today—and the fundamental values of courage, tenacity, leadership, and moral conviction.

©2018 Penguin Audio (P)2018 Andrew Roberts

Critic reviews

A USA Today Book You Won't Want to Miss

A Washington Post Book to Read in November

A Christian Science Monitor Best Book of November

A Mental Floss Best Book of 2018

An Octavian Report Essential Read for 2019

A New York Post Book That Should Be On Everyone's Holiday Gift List

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2018

A Lit Hub Best Book of 2018

Shortlisted for the 2019 Plutarch Award

"The best single-volume biography of Churchill yet written. . . . Roberts tells this story with great authority and not a little panache. He writes elegantly, with enjoyable flashes of tartness, and is in complete command both of his sources and the vast historiography."—Richard Aldous, The New York Times

"Terrific . . . By drawing on many previously untapped sources, Mr. Roberts has produced a more complete picture of his subject than any previous biography."—The Economist

"Even if you’ve read every other book about the former prime minister and seen all the movies, expect revelations. For example: The royal family permitted the author to read King George VI’s diary notes about his wartime meetings with Churchill. That’s a first."—The Washington Post

Dense history

From a person who didn’t know much of the European front of WW2 or history of Britain, this book is a ‘hard mode’. But nonetheless a fantastic read.

A spectacular book

Even after 54 hours I'm sorry that it's ending, it has been such an enjoyable read. I am amazed by the author's incredible research. As he mentioned towards the end of the book it wasn't until 2010 that some of the information finally became available to provide even greater depth into this superman.

I have read several books on Churchill and also read several of his World War 2 books. I like this book over all others. Winston Churchill was a man who knew he was destined to save the world and, against all odds, he did.

Very Well Done on creating this masterwork!!!!!

an unflinching history.

like the man this book is complicated. it is an unflinching look and a very popular figure in history. he was the right man, in the right place, at the right time..

The Vices of His Virtues

Excellent balanced biography of a 20th century giant. In an age of small men, he towers above his contemporaries as well as his successors. A long listen, but we'll worth it.

Great book. A MUST

Loved the book and all the details. I have learned more about the English point of view of WWII

Well written and well researched!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Taking advantage of sources that have recently become available such as King George VI's diaries, the author presents a balanced view of this legendary leader. His many strengths and weaknesses are all acknowledged. Churchill's many and varied experiences, both successes and failures, are presented as preparation for his great wartime leadership. Although I was unfamiliar with the narrator, I came to enjoy him quite a bit.

A Masterwork

Andrew Roberts nails this biography of Churchill. His writing is insightful and he captures the true greatness of Churchill the man but does not dismiss his shortcomings either. This is a true masterpiece of great historical significance. Stephen Thorne does the words justice in his inspired narration.

Fantastic

Roberts has masterfully and dispassionately presented the life of a truly interesting man in a way that makes 1000 pages leave you hoping for more.

Why is it over?

It’s too short. Create an HBO type series about this mans life (kind of like The Crown). (Make another.) Truly inspiring. The book was good too.

Great book

My husband and I listened to this book night after night, never growing tired of the narrator’s rich voice and impressive imitations of Churchill’s voice. The author had completed a huge amount of research, making each chapter rich with details and quotations. It was very enjoyable to listen to this book together at night, and then discuss what we had learned the next day.