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The Second World War (Condensed edition) #2
The Second World War: Alone
"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.
Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:
1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy
Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:
1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy
©2008 The Estate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:
1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy
Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:
1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy
©2008 The Estate of Winston Churchill (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2008
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249 people want to read
About the author
Winston S. Churchill
1,399 books2,495 followersSir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, politician and writer, as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955 led Great Britain, published several works, including
The Second World War
from 1948 to 1953, and then won the Nobel Prize for literature.
William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...
William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."
Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 11, 2015
Even if you don't like audiobooks this is one I recommend. Superb narration of the audiobook by Christian Rodska, it seems that Sir Winston Churchill himself is telling the history. It's hard to pick the best quote from this book.
or maybe
or else
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few
or maybe
We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.
or else
I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.
July 29, 2023
Another important volume by Winston Churchill. I think the most important quote from this volume is this: "If the present tries to sit in judgment of the past, it will lose the future." It is just as important today as it was when he penned these words. For this volume speaks of the folly of various governments, such as France and Russia, and the differing ways Europe faced the Nazi menace. France really did suffer, but did they capitulate in order to protect Paris? Russia made a silly bargain with Hitler only to be betrayed. Yugoslavia's government wanted to accept a pact with Hitler but it's people did not and they paid the price for their defiance. Meanwhile, Britain were blessed by geography but that did not protect her cities from aerial bombardment . The questions of what if is brought up. Churchill knew how it was very much a close run thing. But Britain stood firm. But Britain was fortunate in her government. It could have happened differently. Britain was blessed with a committed government and an even more committed people. This is not to say that resistance did not happen elsewhere, but Britain was a beacon in the dark.
July 20, 2019
What I learned: From September 1939 till December 1941, the UK was the only opponent to Hitler's Germany. And there was not so much a "drole de guerre" but on the seas some heavy exchanges took place, and the U-boat war started.
September 16, 2016
Covering the invasion of France (spring 1940) until December 6, 1941; this part of the history deals with Britain's fight against Germany on the sea and in the air. Churchill reveals the strategies and considerations that were made for German invasion of Britain. He also details the actions in Yugoslavia, Greece and the Middle East. His relationship with Roosevelt and the creation of the Lend/Lease Program are also mentioned.
Why I started this book: This was the book that was singled out for the Navy's Professional Reading list.
Why I finished it: Very interesting to see this from the British perspective.
Read along: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany.
Side note: Churchill's history of the Second World War was originally published in six volumes:
1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy
Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. The audio version of the unabridged recordings of Churchill's condensed volume, divided into four parts, as follows:
1. The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster
2. Alone: The Second World War (Condensed) Series, Book 2
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy
Why I started this book: This was the book that was singled out for the Navy's Professional Reading list.
Why I finished it: Very interesting to see this from the British perspective.
Read along: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany.
Side note: Churchill's history of the Second World War was originally published in six volumes:
1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy
Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. The audio version of the unabridged recordings of Churchill's condensed volume, divided into four parts, as follows:
1. The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster
2. Alone: The Second World War (Condensed) Series, Book 2
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy
May 18, 2021
A brilliant and very detailed insight into the day to day business of navigating through the war.
Churchill comes across as very confident yet humble. And completely unwavering.
There was one part where he explains the report undertaken evaluating the likelihood of an attack on Britain and the various threat levels and proposed responses. Fascinating stuff to listen to.
This has definitely made me want to take on the the other books in the series.
Churchill comes across as very confident yet humble. And completely unwavering.
There was one part where he explains the report undertaken evaluating the likelihood of an attack on Britain and the various threat levels and proposed responses. Fascinating stuff to listen to.
This has definitely made me want to take on the the other books in the series.
July 8, 2020
Gripping, absolutely gripping!
As with the first volume of this epic history of World War II the key interest is that it describes clearly why decisions were made by the UK government. Churchill was, of course, at the centre of the action and a first hand witness to what he is describing. He explains clearly what was known at the time, what were their hopes and fears and the evidence on which they made decisions.
Thus we learn exactly why the French fleet was sunk at Oran. Why Syria was invaded. Why Greece was supported - and much much more. Combined with the cracking writing style, this creates a fascinating account of the war.
Inevitably, the book concentrates on what Churchill thinks was important and misses out lots of events and people that others would have covered. But that in itself is very interesting - it reveals what the government thought was worth spending time on and what was not.
A must-read for anyone interested the war.
As with the first volume of this epic history of World War II the key interest is that it describes clearly why decisions were made by the UK government. Churchill was, of course, at the centre of the action and a first hand witness to what he is describing. He explains clearly what was known at the time, what were their hopes and fears and the evidence on which they made decisions.
Thus we learn exactly why the French fleet was sunk at Oran. Why Syria was invaded. Why Greece was supported - and much much more. Combined with the cracking writing style, this creates a fascinating account of the war.
Inevitably, the book concentrates on what Churchill thinks was important and misses out lots of events and people that others would have covered. But that in itself is very interesting - it reveals what the government thought was worth spending time on and what was not.
A must-read for anyone interested the war.
July 11, 2021
This is a fascinating insight into the scale of the challenge facing Britain, particularly at the start of WWII. I just never had grasped the extent of our position or the many details that placed so many pressures on Britain and it's government. A truly eye-opening, honest and enlightening account.
February 15, 2023
Such a clever narration of the Second World War. Some of it is still unbelievable although we know it to be true I have found out so much more and have nothing but admiration for all involved. Churchill was such an intelligent man and such Broad shoulders. The only thing I didn’t understand was sizes of squadrons and battalions etc. the horrible side is the waste of lives on both sides.
June 15, 2023
Audiobook- still enjoying this series of books. This is Winston in the raw. His thoughts on the 2nd world war, the aftermaths and outcomes of battle with the power one hindsight. I think it is helped to be even more enjoyable by the narrator sounding like him. When reading some of his greater speeches the hairs in your neck stand in end.
Roll on book 3.
Roll on book 3.
December 24, 2023
Great narrative about the events between Churchill’s being made prime minister to the Invasion of the Soviet Union, the period in which Britain stood almost alone after the fall of France. It’s very interesting what events Churchill emphasizes, and which he glances over. Looking forward to the next two parts of the series.
July 5, 2024
Mind blown. An amazing history of WW2, written by one of its key players. Churchill describes a lot of his personal account of the war but gives enough background to follow the story in details. He is an exceptionally good writer and storyteller. You can identify good writing by the clarity, brevity, and quality and clarify of topic sentences in paragraphs. Churchill is a master.
April 10, 2021
See WW2 from Churchill's perspective at a time when it seemed like all hope was lost. A fantastic read to understand what it was like to live through those dark days, and what the country's leaders were thinking at the time.
November 9, 2017
Excellent.
May 11, 2022
Memories of W. Churchill is one of best first hand stories from WWII. I love how he approacheed hursh conditions and made his decisions in best interest of country and people.
September 17, 2015
The second volume in Winston Churchill’s history of World War II focuses on the time period after France had fallen to the German invasion until the entrance of the United States into the conflict. It was a hard time for the British people. Their nation was the only free European country actively opposing Hitler’s scheme of domination. For this, Germany turned its full strength upon the island and brought Britain to its darkest hour. This volume is a testimony to the unconquerable spirit the British had in the face of a merciless enemy.
In a few short years, Germany had gone from a struggling bankrupt nation into a war machine that controlled nearly half of all Europe. After all the missteps that the European leaders took – which Churchill relates in Milestones to Disaster – the British army finds themselves in Occupied France facing complete destruction. Alone begins with the account of the unbelievable escape accomplished at Dunkirk – the largest marine transportation event in the history of the world at that point. Thousands of ships, many civilian, saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of men.
After this miraculous feat of logistics and sheer will, Britain is isolated on their little island home. They know that Hitler will come to destroy his final opposition. Churchill, in amazing detail and frankness, reveals how England steeled themselves for the onslaught. Massive defense measures of every town went into action. Every port was mined and patrolled. Every able bodied citizen was assigned a war duty task such as fire watch, food supply, child care. The Royal Air Force was called upon to keep constant vigil in the air while the Royal Navy swept the seas and harbors. At no time has there been a country more single-minded in its effort for defense. The delightful shores of Albion became a bulwark.
Through this and the Battle of Britain to come, Churchill rallied the people with his speeches. Never for a minute was surrender considered an option. Optimism and perseverance was always the tone. The strength of this history is the resolve of the people of Britain to overcome. Hardships came in droves, but they survived. A fictional account would only ring hollow. This true story gives the reader iron in his spirit to face the evil of their own time.
In the end, we know they came through. With dreadful losses, England lasted until the world could rally. Their determination probably saved the future of freedom. You should read of the debt we owe to this brave people whose lives shone in what was “their finest hour.”
7.5 stars out of 10
Red Eagle's Legacy
In a few short years, Germany had gone from a struggling bankrupt nation into a war machine that controlled nearly half of all Europe. After all the missteps that the European leaders took – which Churchill relates in Milestones to Disaster – the British army finds themselves in Occupied France facing complete destruction. Alone begins with the account of the unbelievable escape accomplished at Dunkirk – the largest marine transportation event in the history of the world at that point. Thousands of ships, many civilian, saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of men.
After this miraculous feat of logistics and sheer will, Britain is isolated on their little island home. They know that Hitler will come to destroy his final opposition. Churchill, in amazing detail and frankness, reveals how England steeled themselves for the onslaught. Massive defense measures of every town went into action. Every port was mined and patrolled. Every able bodied citizen was assigned a war duty task such as fire watch, food supply, child care. The Royal Air Force was called upon to keep constant vigil in the air while the Royal Navy swept the seas and harbors. At no time has there been a country more single-minded in its effort for defense. The delightful shores of Albion became a bulwark.
Through this and the Battle of Britain to come, Churchill rallied the people with his speeches. Never for a minute was surrender considered an option. Optimism and perseverance was always the tone. The strength of this history is the resolve of the people of Britain to overcome. Hardships came in droves, but they survived. A fictional account would only ring hollow. This true story gives the reader iron in his spirit to face the evil of their own time.
In the end, we know they came through. With dreadful losses, England lasted until the world could rally. Their determination probably saved the future of freedom. You should read of the debt we owe to this brave people whose lives shone in what was “their finest hour.”
7.5 stars out of 10
Red Eagle's Legacy
June 13, 2011
I know very little about the Second World War, apart from the fact that my father was working in the oil industry in Egypt at the time and was one of a team who had to cap the oil wells before Rommel got there, so I am working my way through this series to find out more. This book deals with 1940 and 1941 and covers the defeat of France, the Blitz in England, the defeat of Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete, the Western Desert campaign with Australian troops taking control of Tobruk and the beginning of the invasion of the Soviet Union. From this book I gather that the Germans could have defeated England if they had kept up the strength of their campaign; that Churchill feared the U boats' attacks most of all; that the Italians were not good fighters in Africa; that the Germans wasted the lives of a lot of paratroopers in Crete; that Hitler attacked Yugoslavia out of sheer bad temper (but this held up the invasion of the Soviet Union which was a good thing because the cold weather came to bear on the campaign); that General Wavell was asked to do too much (and then was relieved of his commission when he couldn't deliver); and that Stalin had no idea that the Soviet Union was about to be attacked even on the eve of the invasion. No doubt there are other military histories that I should read to get a balanced view but I found this a good introduction to these events - and the book includes parts of some of Churchill's best speeches - "we will fight them on the beaches", etc. I also enjoyed the quirky anecdotes he includes here: i.e. when the leaders of France and Britain met in a chateau to discuss the German campaign, the only telephone in the place was in the lavatory which became rather crowded; when Churchill went to inspect home defences along the coast of England he took the train; one general told him there was insufficient ammunition for the home guard to undertake any actual practice; the Australian troops were singing "We're off to see the Wizard" during their military campaign in Africa, and more than once Churchill describes how he was working in bed (or had just woken up from a nap) at the time of some important development or other. Most curious of all, when discussing the bombing of Belgrade on Easter Sunday 1941 when countless civilians died he does not dwell on that tragedy but discusses how the animals from the local zoo were seen wandering the streets afterwards, including a lame stork and a confused bear.
September 16, 2011
If you're a runner looking to increase your turn-over and speed I can't recommend using this as your audio accompaniment. That's all I'm going to say about that.
If you're a big fan of military history you are going to love this book. If, like me, you aren't but are a big fan of the diplomacy that occurs during wartime, you will find this book tremendously disappointing. There were times, during my listening, where the book felt like a inventory of the various machines of war that the British military had at their disposal. And, I don't ever want to hear the phrase "Panzer division" ever again. I want to know what Joe Stalin ate for lunch. I want to know when he slept. Was he secretly gay? (Everyone is history was secretly gay as anyone who has been to college at any time in the last 25 year will tell you).
Still, I listened to the whole damn thing. Some chapters I heard multiple times because of my tendency to let my mind wander to more interesting things: the tantalizing smells from the donut shop as I ran past, the revolting smells from the trash barrels when I ran on Fridays, the sound of my own breath, random cracks in the pavement.
So, why 4 stars? Because it is a fascinating history and because of Churchill's way with words. It isn't his fault that I don't care about troop movements or the number of divisions required to protect Greece. Fat lot of good that did given the state of Greece today, but that's neither here nor there.
I'm told the next in the series is much more diplomacy-y. Looking forward to it.
If you're a big fan of military history you are going to love this book. If, like me, you aren't but are a big fan of the diplomacy that occurs during wartime, you will find this book tremendously disappointing. There were times, during my listening, where the book felt like a inventory of the various machines of war that the British military had at their disposal. And, I don't ever want to hear the phrase "Panzer division" ever again. I want to know what Joe Stalin ate for lunch. I want to know when he slept. Was he secretly gay? (Everyone is history was secretly gay as anyone who has been to college at any time in the last 25 year will tell you).
Still, I listened to the whole damn thing. Some chapters I heard multiple times because of my tendency to let my mind wander to more interesting things: the tantalizing smells from the donut shop as I ran past, the revolting smells from the trash barrels when I ran on Fridays, the sound of my own breath, random cracks in the pavement.
So, why 4 stars? Because it is a fascinating history and because of Churchill's way with words. It isn't his fault that I don't care about troop movements or the number of divisions required to protect Greece. Fat lot of good that did given the state of Greece today, but that's neither here nor there.
I'm told the next in the series is much more diplomacy-y. Looking forward to it.
October 11, 2013
Churchill's second of four volumes of the account of his involvement in WWII. This tome begins with the capture of France by the Germans in the Spring of 1940, covers the evacuation of the English and French from Dunkirk, the air battle over Brittan During June-Sept, 1940, creation of Vichy France, the pact between Italy and Germany creating the Axis alliance, the battle for the Balkans (Greece, Yugoslavia and Turkey), early victories over the Italians in North Africa, the battle of the Mediterranean, and German submarine warfare in the Atlantic. With the implementation by Roosevelt in 1941 of the lend-lease program and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, England finally emerged from its desperate role as lone defender of democracy in Europe during the period September, 1939 through December, 1941. Churchill was one for quips; one I enjoyed was his account of a fictitious man who tended to worry a lot. Churchill says (paraphrasing), "In later life as the man sat on his deathbed, he remarked 'I have had many troubles during my life, most of which never happened.'" A great read, especially for those interested in WWII history.
November 4, 2013
Narrated by Christian Rodska
11 hrs and 4 mins
Publisher's Summary
"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.
Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:
1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy
Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:
1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy
11 hrs and 4 mins
Publisher's Summary
"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.
Please note: This book was originally published in six volumes:
1. The Gathering Storm
2. Their Finest Hour
3. The Grand Alliance
4. The Hinge of Fate
5. Closing the Ring
6. Triumph and Tragedy
Churchill then condensed these into four volumes, which have since been released as one, rather hefty, publication. This is an unabridged recording of Churchill's condensed volume, broken up into four parts, as follows:
1. Milestone to Disaster
2. Alone
3. The Grand Alliance
4. Triumph and Tragedy
December 2, 2012
This second volume of Churchill's history of the Second World War focuses on the early parts of the war, when as Churchill puts it, the British Empire alone bore the full impact and weight of world destiny. That is the period from the fall of France to the Nazi invasion of the USSR. Including the Battle of Britain, the war in Greece and the tank battles of North Africa.
Churchill's purpose with this volume is clear, to highlight his country's immense contribution to the struggle against Hitler to ensure it's not forgotten. Especially since this contribution would later be dwarfed by that of America and Russia.
Churchill's purpose with this volume is clear, to highlight his country's immense contribution to the struggle against Hitler to ensure it's not forgotten. Especially since this contribution would later be dwarfed by that of America and Russia.
August 14, 2011
Again, very good, wonderful use of language, and very informative. This time the problem was with geography rather than names, most of which I got a handle on in the first volume. Can't fault him though - if I, an American, were writing about my life I wouldn't feel the need to explain where New York is or how the Mississippi River fits into the landscape of the US.
December 7, 2013
Please be aware that I pretty much read this book straight through. So, I'm a bit tired of listening to Churchill. I really couldn't stopped listening because it's from first hand from Churchill and the way he wrote this series is pure genus because there is a lot of details, but not so much that you will get overwhelm. I'm looking forward at completing the series.
December 18, 2015
Book 2 of the audio abridgement (abridged by Winston himself) continues in the same vein. It's great in that the narrative clears up some of the sketchy order of events for me, but I can't help observing that - unsurprisingly - decisions and actions taken are presented in the best light from the point of view of the Prime Minister. Well narrated and well worth your time.
October 3, 2011
This took me a while to get through, but I really did enjoy it. I listened to it as an audiobook (probably why it took me so long), but I loved the authenticity of the narrator's voice, and am thinking pretty seriously that I'd like to hire him to read to me every night while I fall asleep. :)
August 2, 2011
This is a great introduction to WWII. So many basics I didn't know, important thinks like how Britain sank the French Navy after France was defeated. This all weaves together in my head to build a much better understanding of the course of the 20th century.
May 25, 2013
The Battle of Britain as only the Man in Charge could write of it. Contains some iof Sir Wnston's most famous, fabulous, pithy lines. We shall fight them on the beaches! Just a great read by the most masterful political leader of the 20th century
July 30, 2016
Excellent, just as strong as 'milestones to disaster' the first in the series. Once more the feeling is left that the viewpoint is so british centered as to approach narcissim but still good despite that.
February 17, 2012
All I can say is yee-haw to the British!
September 17, 2012
Listened to the audio book version. Really very good. The narrator sounded exactly like Churchill. This is book two in a 4 volume condensation of the original 6 volume series.
May 9, 2013
Incredible description of the period in which England was alone fight the 2nd World War
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews