Churchill

By: The Great Courses, J. Rufus Fears

Narrated by: J. Rufus Fears

His friend, colleague, and esteemed political foe Clement Attlee once memorialized Winston Churchill as "the greatest Englishman of our time - I think the greatest citizen of the world of our time." More than a half-century later, Churchill's life remains proof that a single individual can change the course of history for the better and make of life a blessed and noble thing, despite public and private trials too numerous to name.

Who was this extraordinary man who rose up at an hour when freedom and right stood in mortal peril before tyranny and terror to rally the British people? To say with courage, genius, and eloquence, "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.'"

Moreover, how did he accomplish this amazing feat? And how was it that this achievement was just a single part of a long and fruitful life in a stunning array of endeavors?

In these 12 inspiring lectures, Professor Fears presents a well-balanced portrait of Churchill that does not whitewash his flaws. Yet he also draws on the most recent historical scholarship and material from Churchill's writings and speeches to make the case that Churchill belongs with Pericles of Athens and Abraham Lincoln as one of the greatest statesmen in the history of democracy.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2001 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2001 The Great Courses

loved it!

I learned so much! I have always admired Winston Churchill's courage. It was fascinating to hear the rest of his story.

wonderful!

Loved it! Stirring summary of Churchill's life and legacy and a wonderful answer to misinformed Churchill critics, well written and well read.

Churchill-a truly great man

Churchill was great statesmen and leader, truly courageous and visionary and now there are barely awake stumbling bumbling buffoons like Biden.

If Walter Mitty were English, he drank a lot.

As a Yank, I had a passing knowledge of Sir Winston Churchill. Last year, I listened to "Hero of the Empire:", on Audible. WOW. Next, I listened to "The Great Anglo-Boer War", twice, because the Boer War just seemed so interesting. I got this book many months ago and it may have been a "2 for 1", I don't remember, but, I'm glad I did. As an American, he really is a Walter Mitty type character. He is descended from one of the original English dynasties, his father was was at the top of the British government and his mother was an American. Sir Winston proceeds to be a Huck Finn/Walter Mitty/Audie Murphy hero.

I understand how the English electorate did not appreciate Sir Winston, all of the time. I suspect he was even reviled by the ANZACs, understandably so. I did not know about his children. I expect he was larger than life to them. I knew he was Minister of The Admiralty, but, I did not know he was an Army officer, at the front, for the last year of the war. The professional British Army is exceptionally fluid in their requirements, if need be.

I knew he painted, but not as well as he did. I knew he wrote about English history, I did not know he was so prolific. I got through the first volume of his 4 volume set(The Birth of Britain: A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume I), on Audible. If you are not acquainted with the first 200 or 300 years of English royalty, this will be tough.

If you have a hard time with alcohol, you may have some questions. For example, when does one start drinking and when does one stop? The answer, when you wake up, go to sleep or exhaust your supply. Also, if your are captured by enemy forces. Suffice to say, Sir Winston does not appear to take sobriety to the extreme. In "Hero Of The Empire", Sir Winston is not the only man going to South Africa with luggage laden with wine and whiskey. A years supply of alcohol was as much required as good socks.

Overall I enjoyed the listen. But, be advised, there is one thing you should consider, the author and narrator, Dr. Fears. He is lively, never monotone and he will keep your attention. And he sounds a lot like Jerry Seinfeld.

Great overview of Churchill's Life

Great listen. Introduced to important points in Churchill's life. Narration was engaging and full of passion.