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Churchill: A Biography | 
 enlarge | Author: Roy Jenkins
Creator: John Sessions
Publisher: Macmillan Audio Books
Category: Book
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £9.00
You Save: £7.99 (47%)
New (13) Used (5) from £7.99
Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 41734
Format: Audiobook
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Abridged Ed
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 5 x 0.9
ISBN: 1405006579
Dewey Decimal Number: 324
EAN: 9781405006576
ASIN: 1405006579
Publication Date: March 7, 2003
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Immediate dispatch from the U.K.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Book buyers will never tire of reading about Winston Churchill, for "the greatest adventurer of modern political history" (RA Butler's verdict) led a life of action-packed drama and global significance. Roy Jenkins' Churchill is the latest biography of this great Briton, following closely in the tailwind of Geoffrey Best's Churchill: A Study in Greatness. Where Best restores altitude to Churchill's dipping reputation, seeing off academic critics of the last decade or so, Jenkins provides a jumbo-size old-fashioned biography, lauding his subject's achievements, sympathising with his quirks, and stepping lightly over his well-known mistakes. As he did in his earlier biographies of Dilke, Asquith and Gladstone, Jenkins sticks closely to the published record, utilising in particular the definitive researches of Martin Gilbert, but he brings the authority and the inside knowledge of British politics to his book, slipping in his own memories of Churchill, and his own comparable experience sat the Cabinet table. It is all here, from the Boer Wars to the nuclear bomb, from the hustings in Oldham to the diplomacy of Yalta, with due coverage of the big moments--at the Board of Trade and at the Admiralty in Asquith's peacetime and wartime cabinets, taking on the appeasers in the 1930s and Hitler in the 1940s. All the books are here, and all the political relationships tetchy and touchy alike, from Lloyd George to Baldwin, Smuts to Stalin, and of course, the British people. Like its subject the book is bulky and at times indulgent, but impossible not to enjoy.--Miles Taylor
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| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 Not recommended July 23, 2008
I bought this book with misgivings, having read previous reviews of it on this site. Unfortunately, they were borne out - the author is indeed pompous, his style is affected and often condescending and he constantly diverts off-topic. His use of stilted language, an excessive use of brackets for (not always relevant) asides or comments, as well as the liberal sprinkling of French and Latin bonmots make it a difficult read. Equally, the author's own persona tend to obscure the subject - as another reviewer said, Jenkins gets in the way of Churchill.
I had already read the books by Gilbert, Colville and Alanbrooke, so I was also disappointed that there was little new in this book and, in some instances, concerned at the omissions.
Think of this book as a gossipy insider's comment on Churchill. For those who are primarily interested in Churchill's war years, my recommendation is to read Colville and Brooke instead.
PS At least I now know what psephology is, although I doubt that the practitioners of that art still used slide rules in 2001.
 A very interesting book February 19, 2008
A biography written by a political insighter. Very readable. Minor mistake on the election period in the Weimar republic. Can be recommended if you want to read more on Churchill otherwise the best short biography is Bests: "Churchill: A study in greatness".
A Most Interesting Biography February 13, 2008
Churchill by Roy Jenkins is a very readable book with lots of interesting details. It deals with all the major aspects of his life in an interesting and enjoyable style which does not become bogged down in analysis. It also unlike some biographies does not regard Churchill as a perfect prime minister but as the right man for the right time. All in all it is a very good book.
A great audio presentation January 23, 2008
I listened to the abridged audio presentation of this book and have to say I found it extremely entertaining and informative.
It might have been a risky move to get a comedian/impressionist to narrate this book but it pays off. John Sessions does a great job with the text, bringing to life the quotes of Churchill, Attlee, Stalin etc with his brilliant portrayals.
The text itself is well written and doesn't mind pointing out Churchills flaws as well as his strengths. I'd have preferred some more attention being paid to the years 1939- 1945 as, of course, so much happened then. But it seems to be covered at the same pace as the years before and after.
All in all, an interesting history of a great man.
Jenkins hits the spot January 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I could give you a 6,000 word thesis on this book commenting on Jenkins' style and how appropriate and logical the information is within. However, this is a detailed and almost unbiased account of arguably the most resourceful and witty semi-American / semi-British men in history.
The fact is - for less than 10 and approximately a weeks worth of reading you can learn a great deal about this noble man and his extraordinary adventures (and good fortune) before making your own mind up about him; and Jenkins' effort!
Personally I feel that it is very much worth a read and suited my reading style better than any of the other Churchill biographies on the market today. As you may have guessed I employ a 'no nonsense' and 'straight to the point' style.
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