Marlborough: His Life and Times

By: Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

Length: 81 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough (1644-1722), was one of the greatest military commanders and statesmen in the history of England. Victorious in the Battles of Blenheim (1704) and Ramillies (1706) and countless other campaigns, Marlborough, whose political intrigues were almost as legendary as his military skill, never fought a battle he didn't win.

Marlborough also bequeathed the world another great British military strategist and diplomat, his descendant, Winston S. Churchill, who wrote this book to redeem Marlborough's reputation from Macaulay's smears. One million words long and ten years in the making, Churchill's Marlborough stands as both a literary and historical masterpiece, giving us unique insights into the Churchill of World War II, for just as Churchill's literary skill helps us understand the complexities of Marlborough's life, so too did his writing of Marlborough help Churchill master the arts of military strategy and diplomacy.

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Long, but what a story!

The Duke of M lived and lead in the middle of fascinating times. Well written, and well-spiced with the author's own point of view. Never ducks a controversy and had strong views. If you are looking for even-handed, this is not. But what fun!

A commitment to undertake, but well worth it!

This book is a slow burning kettle of surprises that ultimately leaves the reader satisfied. I originally selected it in order to get to know the military situation during the War of Spanish Succession and the story of one of the great captains. The story hits the mark for those seeking military history but veers heavily into politics. At first this was off putting, but quickly becomes equally entertaining in its own right. Churchill again proves that he was a master of turning a phrase and authoring an entertaining history.

Long, detailed and slightly overcooked

In 1934, while out of power, Churchill received a publishers advance of a million dollars in today's money to write this fulsome testimonial to his great, great grandfather, John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, England's greatest military strategist and commander.

It was an advertisement for his own political career and gave Churchill the opportunity to right many wrongs previous historians had attributed to his famous ancestor. Since Churchill had access to all the Duke's papers, then kept at the family seat of Blenheim Palace (where Churchill himself was born), he was able to rehabilitate his forebear's reputation with great authority.

The work, however, has aged. It is, for today's tastes, over-long and could profitably have been trimmed by a third. The narrator's choice to deliver all ninety hours in a mock-Churchillian accent (a popular indulgence of Churchill narrators) is questionable–especially since Churchill himself abandoned it and spoke clear, unaffected English when, for example, addressing the US Congress.

Carping aside, it is a remarkably detailed glimpse into the inner workings and machinations of the War of the Spanish Succession and a first-hand introduction to a host of fascinating historical characters, from kings and Electors to common soldiers. For those who like their history served long, unshaken and unstirred, this is a treat.

A history worthy of a long and enchanting telling

Beautiful use of the English language to tell an epic story of a gigantic English hero.

W. S. Churchill's Epic Literary Masterpiece

W. S. Churchill spent much of the 1930's writing this epic tome, to provide what he felt a balance to the previously established history provided by Macaulay which portrayed Marlborough as petty, vain, and frugal to a shameful degree. W. S. Churchill succeeded in full. The world's Greatest General was vindicated thoroughly by this incredibly well researched and well written work.
Over a million words, it is not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the time and effort. As Churchill put it best, as commander in chief, the Duke never stepped foot onto a battlefield he did not conquer nor lay siege to a fortress he did not take. In human history no other general can make such a boast, yet how few people know of the First Duke of Marlborough, and how many fewer know his incredible life's story.
Churchill is easily my favorite non-fiction author, and his wit and wisdom is thoroughly applied to every page of this mighty historical work honoring his illustrious ancestor.

a story for all eras; including our own!

Great on every level. Most unexpected aspect: if the words 'Whig' and 'Tory' are removed, and 'Democrats' and 'Republicans' substituted (it doesn't matter which is substituted for which), the ugly aspects of politics of 1710 are indistinguishable from those of 2020; except, no one is sent to the Tower of London or is exiled, today. In addition to the magnificence of the overall story, it is mildly comforting that 'this is how democracy works', and our current era is not worse than others.

Second-most unexpected aspect: the non-military aspects of the story are fascinating, and told with efficient but expansive description.

Remarkable and riveting

Beautifully written in Churchill’s lyrical prose and equally beautifully narrated. An unforgettably story of the complex nature of life in those times yet still relevant in the 21st Century.

Very Interesting and Historically Informative

I liked it very much, even though it was VERY long, For me it shed light on why the founders of our republic were so adamantly opposed to what they called "Factions". The hatred and political warfare between the Whigs and Tories during the period covered were, I now believe the reason that President Washington warned against political "Factions" and their disruptive policies in his farewell speach. Considering how things are today, some 200 plus later, in our Republic, the Great Man knew what he was speaking of.

comprehensively researched & convincingly done

an insightful and painstakingly honest narration of a pivotal character in the rise of english dominance in europe. the narrator made me think it was winston himself telling the story

WSC

another one in my collection of WSC's audiobook. I enjoyed it very much. I am looking forward to the audible version of the World Crisis ---Churchillian buff...

You had better come prepared

Would you consider the audio edition of Marlborough: His Life and Times to be better than the print version?

For historians and serious history students, a work of this complexity is more suitable in written form. However, I would not have had the patience or the eyesight to read this mammoth work. I must thank Audible for making the audio edition available.

Any additional comments?

I only gave Churchill's hagiography of his famous ancestor a rating because I had to. Certainly Sean Barrett deserves 6+ stars. To provide an 80+ hour performance which does not annoy or irritate the listener is a real art.
This is an uncompromising book. It assumes the reader has a working knowledge of English and European 17th century history and social conditions. Any listener is recommended to be armed with a detailed map of Europe in 1700. I have a good knowledge of Flemish geography, having lived in villages which Marlborough's army marched across, but I was constantly running to my historical atlas. Names of British politicians change when they are ennobled, so if you lose concentration, you may miss that Henry St John suddenly disappears and Bolingbroke enters stage left.
The book was written 80 years ago in WSC's best florid Victorian style, so the prose can seem unusual at times.
However, despite these cautions, I do recommend it to those with an interest in history and politics, if only as a reminder that the ambitions and machinations of today's politicians are no different to those of their predecessors.

Sublime

What a book! Such use of the English language to tell a tale of such magnitude. Churchill proves himself to be the master of facts, passion and narrative. The performance of this book by Sean Barrett is a tour de force and must rank in the top 10 performances of vocal narratives. If there is such a thing as a perfect book, written by a perfect author and narrated by the perfect voice... this is it.

One of Churchill's best.

Great detail and research often drawing on primary historical sources. Excellently read by Sean Barrett one of my favourite audible narrators.

An exceptional historical narrative.

Never having read anything by Churchill before I embarked on this massive account of Marlborough's life with a certain amount of trepidation. I needn't have worried. The whole work is written with such intimate knowledge and evident enthusiasm that the reader (listener) is soon swept along by this remarkable tale of Britain's greatest general. His military strategy and tactics are examined and explained in detail in the context of each of his battles as the War of Spanish Succession rolls along on its relentlessly bloody path. At the same time the war history is shown in the light of the equally bitterly fought political struggles which drove, restrained, glorified, and ruined by turns all the players in the unfolding story of Queen Anne's reign. An audiobook lasting more than 80 hours looks forbidding, but this is an amazing piece of historical writing presented absolutely perfectly by a reader with just the right Churchillian tones and is totally gripping to the very end.

Amazing

This is a huge body of work. The first third is very hard going in all honesty. However, by persevering you are rewarded with the incredible story of Marlborough and the intrigues of England and the continental powers. I thoroughly recommend this book.

Expertly narrated

This account gives you everything you need to know about the United Kingdom , her allies and her enemies and the man Marlborough.
To not read this is a crime to the 10 years it took to write and the million words used. You will know what I mean by that when you’ve finished it.

Magnificent from Start to Finish.

Oh to know one's own family tree and where you lie upon it. An absolute epic in writing, narration..........And the listening. Over 80 hours of solid history, the history of not just the man but also the men around him. I think it's one of those stories that's makes one proud to be British If only we had leadership like that, today! And behind it all Blenheim! As soon as the National Trust sites are open that's where I'm going.
Winston's 'wilderness years' were put to great use in gathering this massive amount of history; family history, national and geographical history. Absolutely superb.
The narration by Sean Barrett is also a wonderful piece of work, he must really have liked the subject. He played the young lad in the 1958 film 'Dunkirk'. I think his voice was the right one for this epic, because at times he sounded a little like Winston himself, he did a brilliant piece of narration.
And finally a well done to Amazon Audible for being the only place you could get this masterpiece.

The Biographical Benchmark

Churchill's four volume behemoth of a biography is undoubtedly the most exhaustive and intimately researched I have come across, which gives incredible detail to almost every stage of John Churchill's extraordinary life. From his family background to his last days on the sofa at Blenheim Palace, Marlborough's achievements are highlighted in grandiose fashion. The majority of the work covers his leadership in, and background to, the War of The Spanish Succession, As a keen historian with little knowledge of this period of history, I was truly enthralled by Churchill's masterful descriptions and historical details, with a diverse range of personalities from Marlborough secretary to Louis XIV. Naturally considered who is writing, there is a bias towards Marlborough which Churchill openly admits, but is often as fair as one can be regarding history; but with an understandingly pro English/British approach.

However I will admit there are some slight faults I can find. There is hardly any mention of Marlborough's children until the end and doesn't go into great detail about them, nor Sarah after his death despite her living 20 years afterwards. On th. Other side, unless you have an intimate knowledge of 17th century European geography, or geography in general, you'll find yourself lost during his detailed descriptions of the innumerable scenes covered from Spain to Hungary.

Overall, a truly remarkable tome which the narration does great justice to. Marlborough: His Life and Times is truly the biography that all others ought to be measured However, I would come prepared with plenty of maps and a basic understanding of the time period, or you'll find yourself truly lost in the labyrinth of names, dates and places.

A great book brilliantly narrated

A fascinating and beautifully written history that in itself is a stupendous achievement. Combined with a superb narration by Sean Barrett, this shows the ability of audio books to bring great literature to life in a new medium.

Great Book

Great book well written gives a good insight into Malborough's life and the political patronage of the early 18th century