WWII by Winston Churchill

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Gage, Dec 1, 2008.

  1. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Hi all.
    Has anybody read this (I know stupid question)? Thoughts please as I've got it on audio book and thought I would give it a listen at some point soon.
    Many thanks.
     

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  2. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Just want to bump this. Thought I would get a good few takers, looks like no one has read it thou.
     
  3. WotNoChad?

    WotNoChad? Senior Member

    This is Churchill's own abridgement of his six volume work of the same name, I'd highly recommend it, more for insight than style. I've not read this version but have read the original, quite incredible really. So who's reading this on the AB?
     
  4. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Can't comment on the Audio version, but I reckon the books are essential reading as part of a general grounding in the war. (You can also pick 'em up for next to nothing in most secondhand bookshops).
    As Chad said, there's some problems with his rather 'Victorian' style, he's partial to the nth degree, and glosses over many incidents... but overall as long as you always remember who's writing it, it really is a fascinating viewpoint.
    Goes rather well alongside Alanbrooke's diaries and Woy Jenkins's biog, which give more human context to many situations covered in Churchill's books.
     
  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    I was lucky enough to pick up all 6 volumes in excellent condition for 20 quid from a charity shop a couple of years ago. I'm ashamed to say, I'm still on the first volume. As Adam says, it is an interesting viewpoint when all these years later you can find out what he missed out.

    You've given me some encouragement to carry on reading.
     
  6. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Can't comment on the Audio version, but I reckon the books are essential reading as part of a general grounding in the war. (You can also pick 'em up for next to nothing in most secondhand bookshops).
    As Chad said, there's some problems with his rather 'Victorian' style, he's partial to the nth degree, and glosses over many incidents... but overall as long as you always remember who's writing it, it really is a fascinating viewpoint.
    Goes rather well alongside Alanbrooke's diaries and Woy Jenkins's biog, which give more human context to many situations covered in Churchill's books.
    Not wishing to drive this topic off course but I wouild like to echo Adam's endorsement of Alan Brooke's diaries. Excellent reading indeed and, as he said, would complement Churchill's work nicely.
     
  7. Len Trim

    Len Trim Senior Member

    Remember that Churchill said that history would be very kind to him. He knew that because he intended to write it! His six volume work certainly set the scene but glosses over huge amounts of politics and military affairs, especially failures. He says for instance that the War Cabinet never once considered discussing possible peace terms with Hitler with the Italians as intermediaries. This is simply not true, they did discuss it and certain members; Halifax etc. were not loath to go down that line. He also makes little of his stupid mistake of sending half the army from North Africa to Greece were we promptly got kicked out and the North African campaign was held up for at least a year. Bearing these sort of caveats in mind its a good read, but read more widely as well.
    Just in case anyone gets the wrong end of the stick I think Churchill was marvellous and that we would have made terms and become a satellite of Nazi Germany if it had not been for him.


    Len
     
  8. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    This is Churchill's own abridgement of his six volume work of the same name, I'd highly recommend it, more for insight than style. I've not read this version but have read the original, quite incredible really. So who's reading this on the AB?

    It's read by Christian Rodska.
    Christian Rodska - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     

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