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69th out of 332 books
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301 voters
Memoirs of the Second World War
The quintessential account of the Second World War as seen by Winston Churchill, its greatest leader
As Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, Winston Churchill was not only the most powerful player in World War II, but also the free world's most eloquent voice of defiance in the face of Nazi tyranny. Churchill's epic accounts of those times, remarkable for thei...more
As Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945, Winston Churchill was not only the most powerful player in World War II, but also the free world's most eloquent voice of defiance in the face of Nazi tyranny. Churchill's epic accounts of those times, remarkable for thei...more
Paperback, Abridged, 1088 pages
Published
September 17th 1991
by Mariner Books
(first published 1948)
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The following is a note I wrote on FB about it.
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Finished reading today "Memoirs of the second World War" by Winston S. Churchill.
Magnificent 1000 pages.
Most of the times you will be awed by the greatness of the man, you will see how mankind fell to its its own follies. You will see how easy is it to give in, but above all there are some principles which should always adhere to.
When your actions and...more
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Finished reading today "Memoirs of the second World War" by Winston S. Churchill.
Magnificent 1000 pages.
Most of the times you will be awed by the greatness of the man, you will see how mankind fell to its its own follies. You will see how easy is it to give in, but above all there are some principles which should always adhere to.
When your actions and...more
I really admire Churchill as a war leader. He was exactly the right man in the right job for the time. But if you want accurate history, go elsewhere. Since millions of documents have been declassified, especially the existence of ULTRA, any WWII history released before 1980 is by definition, woefully incomplete. Like Eisenhower's war memoir, Churchill's is intended to secure his place in history, not at all to tell an accurate story. (Additionally, the main reason Churchill wrote these books is...more
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A fascinating personal narrative, as opposed to a history, of WWII. WSC believed in the British Empire and a special relationship among all "English-speaking people." The first half of the abridged version of his six-volume memoirs is stronger; as the war drags on he focuses on the many conferences of the "Big Three" FDR, WSC and Stalin. If everyone had just heeded all his warnings and had implemented his strategies all would be well, or at least better. As Germany is collapsing toward surrender...more
Clearly an essential book to read, especially if there is an interest on how Great Britain survived the years of war prior to the American full involvement. The details of desperate decisions, know that his decision would cost more British lives, but for the greater good. I could see the transformation from a gentle soul to what he was called later, 'the Lion,'or the "Great Lion." How must it have felt that the future of his nation hung on his every word.
I really admire Winston Churchill as a war leader, but this book is just too detailed for me. I love to read about his political thoughts and about his relationsship with Stalin and Roosevelt during the war, but the descriptions of every single battle during WWII bores me.
Remember he was a politician during the war, so to be generous, this is in no way a definitive history of the war; or accurate in light of new research. Prose is spellbinding, especially with regards to appeasement.
Probably the best source for WWII info. I like how this is the abridged version and is still over 1000 pages long. Crazy! (I didn't read the whole thing, but so far so good)
This is WW2 from Churchill's point of view. Moves along well, fascinating. Shows how desperate the situation was, and what a close shave it was.
Jun 20, 2010
Vuvuzela
added it
I've recently purchased this book. From the small read I did in the bookstore seems quite an enjoyable reading.
Excellent review of world war II in detail. Great discussion on the follies of apeasement.
Churchill was just a force of nature, and an excellent writer. Highly recommended.
Excellent tool to understand European politics over the centuries
Anybody with even the slightest interest in WW2 must read this book.
Incredible insight into the leadership of WWII
Good book.
Outstanting!
great read
A great summary of all that happened during leading up to and through the end of World War II from the British perspective. Very good read - long but worthwhile.
Although I was vaguely aware that the Second World War encompassed more than Germany and Russia, I had no idea of the vast expanses in the war's theatre. The campaign across North Africa was particularly compelling for me insofar as I had an uncle who fought in that campaign. Churchill's abridged memoirs run well past 1000+ pages, often laborious readings, but straight from the horse's mouth.
A leader's view of of the Second WW. While interesting, I found Churchill's writing style somewhat turgid.
Je voulais surtout voir ce que Churchill disait concernant les événements qui on mené à la deuxième guerre mondiale. Vraiment de matière à méditer dans ce livre. Je me réjouis d'attaquer tome 2.
I was particularly interested in getting Churchill's perspective on the events leading to the Second World War. Certainly gives food for thought. Looking forward to attacking the second volume.
I was particularly interested in getting Churchill's perspective on the events leading to the Second World War. Certainly gives food for thought. Looking forward to attacking the second volume.
Jun 04, 2013
Amy
added it
I have always wanted to read the six book series and actually picked this up by accident, not realizing it was an abridgement. I am glad I did! I enjoy the political and social aspects of the book, but not the detailed military narratives.
Churchill certainly has an agenda in recounting certain aspects of the allied strategy, but I enjoyed in nonetheless.
Churchill certainly has an agenda in recounting certain aspects of the allied strategy, but I enjoyed in nonetheless.
Jun 19, 2008
Dianne
added it
Fascinating to see WWII through the words of a key player, Winston Churchill. I find his writing style a bit difficult to read but so worth the effort. I learned that there were signs years before WWII that Hitler was either thought to be a joke or a real danger but few took him seriously until he was on his way.
If you are a history buff, and more importantly, a World War II buff, then this is a must read. Insights to the war which amazed me. Churchill is one of the great figures in modern history; plus he is a terrific writer!!!
I've been reading at this book for a couple of years! I nibble and get distracted. I've read Churchill's assessment of the terrible effects of the Treaty of Versaille and its being the main cause of WWII.
This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time. If you have an interest in WW II, Europe or Winnstn Churchill I highly recommend it.
Beautiful prose. Intimately felt. Expertly told. Invaluable document for humanity. Great read.
I have read before so I just picked out pieces.
a top notch condensed version of WWll.
Probably the best non-fiction book I have ever read. Churchill domain of the written word is amazing, as are his descriptions of the events that happened during this ordeal.
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Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, and again from 1951 to 1955. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill was also an officer in the British Army. A prolific author, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his own historical writings, "for his mastery...more
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“Woe betide the leaders now perched on their dizzy pinnacles of triumph if they cast away at the conference table what the soldiers had won on a hundred bloodsoaked battlefields.”
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