Winston S. Churchill: The History of the Second World War, Volume 1 - The Gathering Storm

By: Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Michael Jayston

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Second World War, every bond between man and man was to perish. Crimes were committed by the Hitler regime that find no equal in scale and wickedness with any that have darkened the human record.

It was a simple policy to keep Germany disarmed after the struggle of the First World War and the Victors adequately armed in vigilance. But errors were soon made. The tragedy of America’s failure to enter the League of Nations; the weakness and lack of resolution of the democracies to confront the growing strength, reach, and ambition of the fascist dictators in Germany, Italy, and Japan; the economic turmoil that allowed these events to spark and build.

In this first volume it is all too easy to see and understand how this immense tragedy could have been avoided, how the malice of the wicked was reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous. We shall hear how the counsels of prudence and restraint became the prime agents of mortal danger in this Gathering Storm. The overview is read by Winston S Churchill, MP, and the volume narrated by Michael Jayston.

©2011 Word Of Mouth (P)2011 Copyright Group

So well read

A dramatic inside view of the beginning of the Second World war. Background music/sound add to the excellent reading that sounds like Churchill.

An excellent overview, but not the entire book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this title for what it is, but it was not at all well marked. Or what I’d expected. Not an abridgement - though it is - but an overview. A condensation. However, it is very well done, and contains the essentials. Perhaps rather overpriced for the brief 2 1/2 hours, however enjoyable.

Required reading.

Always relevant, especially now. I’m curious why this isn’t used more broadly in college or even high school curriculum. The personal viewpoint enables the type of engagement that students crave. History is defined by decisions made real time, often with incomplete information.

Excellent book!

The reader sound just like Sir Winston Churchill!
I’ve read many of his books and enjoyed all of them.

history relived!

Loved it. What a joy to relive history through one such eloquent man

Tell us a Story

Excellent, just like the man himself. I love the idea of having Winston Churchill tell me stories, even war stories. The narration is excellent, well paced, always crystal clear.

Short, a little self indulgent, but solid

Having listened to many factual accounts of WWII, this was a next logical step for my listening. The first book in this 5 book series seems too short for the cost of it, and it goes without saying that the slant given is very pro-english, regardless of the attacks he makes at the preparedness of the nation and the appeasement policies of the time.

Still, already from one book I have recorded some masterful quotes and I'll end this with one. And if you can digest the fact that you will hear a decidedly biased account of events, you will still find a very good and impressive accounting of events.

-The human mind, except when guided by extraordinary genius, cannot surmount the established conclusions upon which is has been reared.

-Winston Churchill

Must read to undertand WWII

Well written by someone who was most certainly in the middle of it. My dad was stationed in England during the war and he often said this one man did more to hold the evil that was Hitler in check. The history is detailed. The mistakes are noted. The battles in England that almost lost their ability to win the Battle of Britain.

EXCEPTIONAL!!!!

Michael Jaysten's voice and speaking style is a *dead ringer* for Mr. Churchill's. This made the audio journey SO AUTHENTIC; it was educational, inspiring and nerve wracking. I LOVE IT! I have listened to the entire 5 book series many many times and got a new tidbit I'd missed before, every time.

Wow!

This should be compulsory reading in 2017.....masterful, engaging writer. Parallels cannot be ignored and Churchill emphasizes the lessons if only we would read!