Publisher Description
From London’s inimitable mayor, Boris Johnson, the story of how Churchill’s eccentric genius shaped not only his world but our own. On the fiftieth anniversary of Churchill’s death, Boris Johnson celebrates the singular brilliance of one of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Taking on the myths and misconceptions along with the outsized reality, he portrays—with characteristic wit and passion—a man of contagious bravery, breathtaking eloquence, matchless strategizing, and deep humanity. Fearless on the battlefield, Churchill had to be ordered by the king to stay out of action on D-Day; he pioneered aerial bombing and few could match his experience in organizing violence on a colossal scale, yet he hated war and scorned politicians who had not experienced its horrors. He was the most famous journalist of his time and perhaps the greatest orator of all time, despite a lisp and chronic depression he kept at bay by painting. His maneuvering positioned America for entry into World War II, even as it ushered in England’s post-war decline. His openmindedness made him a trailblazer in health care, education, and social welfare, though he remained incorrigibly politically incorrect. Most of all, he was a rebuttal to the idea that history is the story of vast and impersonal forces; he is proof that one person—intrepid, ingenious, determined—can make all the difference.
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“Narrator Simon Shepherd’s animated British voice makes this audiobook a joy to listen to. He perfectly mirror’s Johnson’s writing style, which tends towards the colloquial, untraditional, and sometimes irreverent, by having a great deal of fun delivering this work. Shepherd moves at a brisk but comfortable pace and varies his delivery to keep the story moving. He avoids character voices but is still able to emphasize emotions by pausing effectively and by raising and lowering his voice to match the text. The result is a jaunty read that will satisfy those who already know Churchill’s story and those who are new to it.”
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AudioFile
