• Churchill: A Life, Part 1 (1874-1918)

  • By: Martin Gilbert
  • Narrated by: Christian Rodska
  • Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (237 ratings)

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Churchill: A Life, Part 1 (1874-1918)  By  cover art

Churchill: A Life, Part 1 (1874-1918)

By: Martin Gilbert
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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Publisher's summary

Churchill: A Life follows Winston Churchill from his earliest days to his moments of triumph. Here, the drama and excitement of his story are ever-present. Martin Gilbert gives us a vivid portrait, using Churchill's most personal letters and the recollections of his contemporaries, both friends and enemies, to go behind the scenes of some of the stormiest and most fascinating political events of our time.

Part 1 takes us from Churchill's birth to the end of the First World War. Christian Rodska reads the first part of Martin Gilbert’s epic, definitive biography of Winston Churchill.

©1991 Martin Gilbert (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Churchill: A Life, Part 1 (1874-1918)

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Not a two volume work

The book has been cut in half to double its price. It’s not a 2 volume work, nor is it even a particularly long book.

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6 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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This is an abridged version

The book is magnificent and the narration is great also. This, however, is an abridged version of the book. They should make that clear.

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5 people found this helpful

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great

This is a fascinating book, though it may not be a unbiased account of his life it is none the less well worth a listen. hope part 2 is added soon.

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4 people found this helpful

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Amazing

Christian Rodska is simply amazing narrating this book - as always, and must certainly rank in the elite voices. He does many accents, and a very good American accent, which is actually rare, and so well done. The book itself is superbly written and moves at a good pace. Good job.

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3 people found this helpful

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Wonderful

Wonderful performance, candid portrayal of an enormous personality. A great way to enjoy this novel

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2 people found this helpful

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Church Hill - For Those who love history

I have always thought of Churchill as a great man and leader. My knowledge of of him was limited to the World War II Era. This book expanded my
that knowledge and boosted my respect for him.

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Churchill a life

Was a great book with great characters and great action with a great story and a great ending looking forward to the part 2 🤠💪🍷

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Engaging biography of a great man, part 1

Although rather long, this is well worth listening to. It is quite straightforward and has no hero-worship. Today one does not hear enough about this great man, and such books redress that somewhat. The author is Churchill's authorized biographer, an eminent historian. The narration is well done.

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Entertaining and virtuoso performance

The two parts of Martin Gilbert's tome are OK: a rather matter-of-fact recounting of Churchill's life. I sometimes missed some interpretation of events and decisions.
The performance by Rodska is wonderful. Dramatic, but not over the top, well paced and intelligent. And the way he switches between accents is virtuosic, going seamlessly from "Winstonesque" to South African to posh or whatever else the text throws at him (though it is somewhat disconcerting to hear a quote from an 8 year old Winston with the intonation we're all familiar with).

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Very Personal

There are so many direct quotes from Churchill’s letters and journal entries, the reader does a good impersonation of Churchill when quoting him.

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