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The Birth of Britain

A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume I

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The Birth of Britain

By: Sir Winston Churchill
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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The English-speaking peoples comprise perhaps the greatest number of human beings sharing a common language in the world today. These people also share a common heritage. For his four-volume work, Sir Winston Churchill took as his subject these great elements in world history. Volume 1 commences in 55BC, when Julius Caesar famously "turned his gaze upon Britain" and concludes with the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc. British History
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This a sweeping account of England’s birth as a country buffeted by a sequence of invasions, assimilations and dynastic rivalries ending with the defeat of Richard III and the take-over by Henry VII. The book is well-suited to to be listened to as the writing-style is lively. It’s a bleak story at times as Europe endured many bloody battles, intrigues and ruthless leaders who executed rivals without any recourse to justice and invaded other lands in the pursuit of power. It is salutary to be reminded of how recently we lived in such brutal times.

To modern ears Churchill’s slant on history is somewhat old-fashioned as it presents conquest by English kings in a favourable light, the spread and domination by Christianity as unquestionably a good thing. However, Churchill was of a generation who venerated the British empire and mourned its loss. I had to grit my teeth when ‘Hammer of the Scots’ Edward First’s crushing defeat of the Scots is presented as a good thing!

I enjoyed the book and thought it gave a condensed and assessable overview of early English history and was particularly good in its descriptions of the ebb and flow of the War of the Roses.

Christian Rodska is a first class narrator

Pacy telling of England’s early history

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what an excellent precis of the history of our land, Churchill whilst renowned for his verbosity has written a real gem. Only wish I'd have read this 50 years ago.

Every Child Should Read This

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Like the other books in the series this one is exceptionally will written and really well read.

Excellent

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Churchill is such an old codger. his view on the past is is very traditional and and only with the debate on Richard III does he allow himself any form of revisionism. However, I really loved this. it fills in a lot of the gaps in my knowledge of the kings and queens and if anybody wants to study the period, this is a must.

Excellent old fashioned run through

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Great book, learning the Birth of Britain was great. Totally would recommend for people who would like to learn about it.

Great

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