The New World

A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume II

By: Sir Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Between 1485 and 1688, England became a Protestant country under Henry VIII. His daughter, Elizabeth I, battled for succession and supremacy at home, and the discovery of 'the round world' enabled a vast continent across the Atlantic to be explored.

While this new era was spawning the beginnings of modern America, England was engaged in a bloody civil war and sustained a Republican experiment under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.

This is the second volume in Churchill's famous account. The series remains a testament to the skill and insight of a remarkable storyteller and historian.

Don't miss the rest of the titles in this great series!

Volume I – The Birth of Britain: A History of the English Speaking Peoples,

Volume III – The Age of Revolution: A History of the English Speaking Peoples, and

Volume IV – The Great Democracies: A History of the English Speaking Peoples.

©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Churchill series

Wonderful. He writes brilliantly and the history is fascinating.

History worth listening to!

I have the books, but it is much more enjoyable to listen to this history.

Another great book my Churchill!

What a great story told by the master story teller. Churchill's telling of history brings the major players and forces that shaped the modern world to life! I especially appreciate the analysis he puts into the character of the people.

Great way to get context to the history I love

Would you listen to The New World again? Why?

Yes. I would listen to it to put happenings in perspective when I am reading/listening to other historical books be they fiction or non-fiction. I found myself thinking of what I heard on my way to work throughout the day.

I have read books that are related to the invasion by the Romans, and the War of the Roses, etc., and now I understand how those events came to be and the impact they had on the people and government of England.

Beautifully written and beautifully read

The book covers the history of England from the Tudors through the Stuarts. It ends in 1688. The writing is outstanding and the performance is also first rate. This book is not a standard text as it has the stamp of Winston Churchill upon it. But it is so well done and so well thought out, that everyone interested in the History of England should listen to it. This is history with a point of view - a conservative, yet tolerant, point of view. Churchill is not afraid to take Henry VIII to task for judicial murder of Thomas More and Anne Boleyn. This is history with a moral view not common in today's world. We are so fortunate to have this man's perspective on the history of his country. (The American colonies are mentioned, but the Tudors and Stuarts are the main focus of the story."

Really? Rate Churchill?

Let’s see. We want to rate the writing of Winston Churchill? Really? It’s perfect. If we lose all English literature but kept this, the Martians will be really impressed. The narrator is okay, not great. The story is well, history! Sometimes tedious and confusing, but the writer does an excellent job (duh!) of both summary and prequel to begin and end the chapters.

Unbelievable read!!!!

I Am absolutely stunned and pleasantly surprised by stumbling upon Churchill’s writing.Unbelievably articulate and detailed with every important event throughout history,I’m hooked on all three volumes.I can see myself digging into all of his writings and most definitely his Biography as well.Churchill was a Giant among mortal men.I highly recommend all his work.

Monumental Analysis

With delightful phrasing and historical accuracy, Winston describes England's contribution to the notion of liberty

incredible information

it's an amazing history I feel so privileged to be able to listen to the actual voice of Winston Churchill I'm hearing him speak about his own family member.

Awesome

Listening to Churchill’s “History Of English Speaking Peoples” has made me aware of both the origins of many aspects of the US Constitution and from where George RR Martin obtained 50% of his “Game of Thrones” content.

Mainly war and politics

I'm getting the hang of these volumes. Being a history novice myself, I found this easier going than volume 1. We still get quite a lot of characters springing up without introduction or explanation - as if we're supposed to already know who they are.

The emphasis (unsurprisingly), is very much about war and politics. The bit about Oliver Cromwell in particular got great coverage. Not so much about other things happening with the English speaking peoples - science, the arts, medicine, fashion, discovery, great fires etc.

Churchills tour of legendary English history Pt2

Similar to the first installment, Churchill focuses on legendary events, creation of institutions and the church. Covering up to the Glorious Revolution the book highlights a lot of important points.

At times the book shows it's age, simultaneously saying that 'tyranny can only exist in servile races' and decrying Victorian historians. His own ancestors take precedence when they appear beyond their import.

The large chunk of the book deals with the Civil War and ramifications highlighting a lot if complexities that I didn't know, the simplistic story of Cromwell fighting a dictatorship only to fall prey to the same temptations is found to be far much more complicated than I remember.

Shocking trurh

Good
I could not believe the slaughter and bickering over religious beliefs .Surprised there are some English folk still alive.

Fascinating period of history

Churchill & the narrator hold your interest through a fascinating period of history. Lots of quotes and insights that make it good story telling rather than just historical fact that can be so dry.

Fascinating and Accessible History

The lucid & penetrating style of Churchill combined with Christian Rodska's involving reading style make this a perfect introduction to English History. A great overview for the amateur including extracts from speeches and documents from witnesses to make everything come vividly alive. One quibble is that there are hardly any index points compared the CD which makes it a little hard to navigate at first.