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How Winston Churchill changed the world
Great Britain’s most celebrated statesman, Winston Churchill, didn’t just live history - he made it. In these 24 lectures that unfurl like a great story, enjoy a thorough, multifaceted exploration of Churchill’s life, accomplishments, complexities, and legacies.
Guiding you chronologically through the life and times of this master statesman, Professor Shelden takes you from the dawn of Churchill’s political career to his final years in a much-changed geopolitical landscape. You’ll examine Churchill’s beginnings as a young liberal statesman, his rise to the Admiralty and his relentless push for an imposing naval force, his fight against the Nazis, his equally dramatic postwar career suspended between two different cold wars (against the Soviets and Britain’s Labour party), and more.
You’ll also get fascinating insights into Churchill’s iconic public speeches, his philosophies of freedom and history, and his early realizations of the dangers of both Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia. But these lectures never shy away from examining how Churchill’s preference for the backward glance of history occasionally distorted his view of the future, leading to missteps and disasters, including his failure to understand the rise of independence movements in the British colonies and his controversial World War II bombing campaigns in German cities like Dresden.
Poet, historian, statesman, soldier, prime minister, husband - Churchill played many roles throughout his life. And these lectures bring them all together to create a fascinating, multilayered biography.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Guiding you chronologically through the life and times of this master statesman, Professor Shelden takes you from the dawn of Churchill’s political career to his final years in a much-changed geopolitical landscape. You’ll examine Churchill’s beginnings as a young liberal statesman, his rise to the Admiralty and his relentless push for an imposing naval force, his fight against the Nazis, his equally dramatic postwar career suspended between two different cold wars (against the Soviets and Britain’s Labour party), and more.
You’ll also get fascinating insights into Churchill’s iconic public speeches, his philosophies of freedom and history, and his early realizations of the dangers of both Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia. But these lectures never shy away from examining how Churchill’s preference for the backward glance of history occasionally distorted his view of the future, leading to missteps and disasters, including his failure to understand the rise of independence movements in the British colonies and his controversial World War II bombing campaigns in German cities like Dresden.
Poet, historian, statesman, soldier, prime minister, husband - Churchill played many roles throughout his life. And these lectures bring them all together to create a fascinating, multilayered biography.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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Published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 25, 2019
Excellent survey of the life of Winston Churchill. Being a fan of Churchill, I have read fairly extensively on Churchill and in particular his handling of Hitler and the Nazis, so when I learn something new I am happy for the new knowledge. Thus Shelden's work gets 5 stars as I picked up a few more nuggets to digest on the one who saved Western Civilization. I believe everyone should learn something about Churchill, who had faults but also had the courage to face down Hitler when all others were recommending capitulation...SLT
January 2, 2020
Basic account of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Fine as a primer.
February 1, 2020
(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).
Wow I don't know if these lectures were so great or it was just that I did not know much of Churchill's story but either way I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were stories here that almost moved me to tears. One of the ironic stories was finding out that when Churchill was in the middle of his career between his early and later glories, Adolf Hitler contacted him and wanted to have lunch with him.
Churchill went to meet him for lunch but Hitler never showed up. After making the appointment he decided that Churchill was not going anywhere and not worthy of his time! So he stood him up.
Somehow I had never heard of the story of the sinking of the USS Reuben James. A month before Pearl Harbor the Germans sunk this ship which was bringing supplies and weapons to England. 100 men were killed and we did nothing. Our isolationist mentality was still so strong that we did not respond. Of course Pearl Harbor finally got us involved.
Shelden makes a good case for Churchill being the most significant leader of the last century.
Wow I don't know if these lectures were so great or it was just that I did not know much of Churchill's story but either way I thoroughly enjoyed this. There were stories here that almost moved me to tears. One of the ironic stories was finding out that when Churchill was in the middle of his career between his early and later glories, Adolf Hitler contacted him and wanted to have lunch with him.
Churchill went to meet him for lunch but Hitler never showed up. After making the appointment he decided that Churchill was not going anywhere and not worthy of his time! So he stood him up.
Somehow I had never heard of the story of the sinking of the USS Reuben James. A month before Pearl Harbor the Germans sunk this ship which was bringing supplies and weapons to England. 100 men were killed and we did nothing. Our isolationist mentality was still so strong that we did not respond. Of course Pearl Harbor finally got us involved.
Shelden makes a good case for Churchill being the most significant leader of the last century.
July 2, 2022
Not one of the more famous Churchill lectures or
biographies but still worth the read.
Churchill is more beloved and revered in the US
than in Britain. And he did as much to enable the
US as a world power in the 21st century as anyone
else by single-handedly holding off the Nazi reich
in Western Europe until U.S. intervention. This
prevented Hitler from consolidating power in
Europe and potentially extending the war by over a
decade.
Thrown out of office in 1945, I am mystified that
the British people, some even to this day, do not
fully appreciate or understand what he meant to
the survival and betterment of the British Empire.
biographies but still worth the read.
Churchill is more beloved and revered in the US
than in Britain. And he did as much to enable the
US as a world power in the 21st century as anyone
else by single-handedly holding off the Nazi reich
in Western Europe until U.S. intervention. This
prevented Hitler from consolidating power in
Europe and potentially extending the war by over a
decade.
Thrown out of office in 1945, I am mystified that
the British people, some even to this day, do not
fully appreciate or understand what he meant to
the survival and betterment of the British Empire.
August 1, 2022
Very good review if the impact of Winston Churchill. Very good stories and facts especially in his early life and WWII. Very bias especially about the 1947 British financial crisis but very good overall. Also seems to be the only competent political in Britain from 1940 until 1954 according to the author.
August 4, 2019
Even though I've read a lot about Churchill (including the three-volume biography The Last Lion), I learned more about Churchill from these lectures! In particular, I did not know about his experience with the death penalty as Home Secretary.
If you're new to Churchill, this is a great introduction to the man's life, and why it's important to know about him if you want to understand 20th century history. If, like me, you've already read a lot about Churchill... there's still something for you! If nothing else, it puts a concise perspective on his life.
If you're new to Churchill, this is a great introduction to the man's life, and why it's important to know about him if you want to understand 20th century history. If, like me, you've already read a lot about Churchill... there's still something for you! If nothing else, it puts a concise perspective on his life.
November 21, 2020
This is a series of college-level lectures on Audible about Churchill that I found to be truly interesting. He covers a lot of ground and offers many insights. I was never bored. Thankfully the author also has a very pleasant reading voice. If you’re interested in Britain’s part in the WW II, I highly recommend it. (And Churchill’s tenacity and buoyant spirit really did allow England to survive the war-no doubt about it.)
May 11, 2024
I really liked this book. I felt I learned more about church than I previously had. I learned of his many flaws, but it didn't really make me regard him less. I just see him as more real. He did a lot. I liked how I was able to learn some of others too whom had an impact on the world.
I now liken Nevel Chamberlin to my current President Joe Biden, one lacking so much that he ignorantly would sell out to the devil (in this case of Chamberlin, that would be Hitler).
I now liken Nevel Chamberlin to my current President Joe Biden, one lacking so much that he ignorantly would sell out to the devil (in this case of Chamberlin, that would be Hitler).
June 12, 2025
I acquired a great admiration for Winston Churchill through this lecture series. It stretched from the early days of Winston’s life through to the end. While Winston Churchill remained an upstanding man throughout, I did notice a subtle change in his demeanor. In his old age, Winston Churchill grew more conservative, both in personality and politics. I felt I got to know Winston Churchill intimately through this lecture series.
January 6, 2019
This is the lecture series given by an expert in Churchill, through Greater Books Plus. Watched it on my tv, excellent lecturer and many many fascinating tales of Churchill and his contributions throughout his life to our World.
June 5, 2019
I listened to the audio of The Great Courses. Churchill seems like the right man for his times, and this course shows why. Churchill was bright, daring, and a superb orator. He was also quite the writer. He actually won the Nobel prize for literature in 1953.
May 26, 2020
I appreciated Professor Shelden’s delivery style and pleasant, easy-to-listen-to voice. The content was interesting and a good complement to the Martin Gilbert bio I read. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of some thematic lectures and not just a chronological recounting of WC’s life story.
June 28, 2020
An enlightening look at one of the most important men of the 20th century. By seeing history through Churchill's eyes, the listener may gain a surprising perspective on presidents Roosevelt and Truman. I have much more appreciation for Churchill's integrity.
September 21, 2023
Very good and engaging biography covering the usual highlights but giving you a lot more context, presented well. Covers Churchill's early life through the world wars, but doesn't forget the twilight years, after getting pushed out of politics.
June 22, 2020
This was a well-done biography on Winston Churchill. I enjoyed it very much.
October 21, 2021
If you are someone who wonders whats the big deal with this guy…Churchill, then you have got to read/listen to this book.
October 19, 2022
Outstanding.
April 19, 2023
A Great Courses Audible selection. Covered his life from WWI through WWII and after. Highly recommend. I loved the courses format.
June 4, 2025
Much too bullish and positive a portrayal of Churchill for my taste.
October 19, 2022
Outstanding.
October 30, 2021
I know the basics of Winston Churchill. Just what I’ve seen in movies, shows, and know from history class. And occasionally what I have researched on the internet. I have yet to read any of his books.
This compilation of lectures did fill in a lot of the gaps of my knowledge in certain areas, yet I feel like in others they could have expanded. But they did make his life easier to understand. It also explains why he has written so much.
This compilation of lectures did fill in a lot of the gaps of my knowledge in certain areas, yet I feel like in others they could have expanded. But they did make his life easier to understand. It also explains why he has written so much.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews