Get Your Free Audiobook
-
The Birth of Britain
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume I
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins
- Categories: History
Non-member price: $31.21
People who bought this also bought...
-
The New World
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume II
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Between 1485 and 1688, England became a Protestant country under Henry VIII. His daughter, Elizabeth I, battled for succession and supremacy at home, and the discovery of 'the round world' enabled a vast continent across the Atlantic to be explored. While this new era was spawning the beginnings of modern America, England was engaged in a bloody civil war and sustained a Republican experiment under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.
-
The Age of Revolution
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume III
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the third volume in Churchill's famous account. During the long period of 1688 to 1815, three revolutions took place, and all led to war between the British and the French.
-
The Great Democracies
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume IV
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The fourth and last volume in Churchill's famous account spans 1815 to 1901. It closes when the British Empire is at its peak, with a staggering one-fifth of the human race presided over by the longest reigning monarch in British history: Queen Victoria.
-
-
This book will not disappoint history fans
- By Omar Shubeilat on 08-08-2020
-
The Second World War: The Grand Alliance
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dealing with war on a giant scale, The Grand Alliance focuses on events as Britain, after fighting a desperate battle alone, was joined in the struggle against the enemy by Soviet Russia and the United Sates. Hitler's invasion of Russia brought to an end a period of almost exactly a year during which Britain and her Empire had stood alone. Six months later, the United States, attacked by Japan, joined the war and the Grand Alliance was born.
-
-
Mandatory Reading
- By Brett Miell on 17-07-2019
-
The Second World War: Alone
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.
-
-
Mandatory Reading
- By Brett Miell on 17-07-2019
-
The World Crisis 1911-18
- Part 1 - 1911 to 1914
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Part One Winston Churchill's superlative account of the prelude to and events of the First World War is a defining work of 20th-century history. With dramatic narrative power Churchill reconstructs the action on the Western and Eastern Fronts, the wars at sea and in the air and the advent of tanks and U-boats.
-
-
W.S.C. at his best
- By La Fitch on 17-12-2018
-
The New World
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume II
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Between 1485 and 1688, England became a Protestant country under Henry VIII. His daughter, Elizabeth I, battled for succession and supremacy at home, and the discovery of 'the round world' enabled a vast continent across the Atlantic to be explored. While this new era was spawning the beginnings of modern America, England was engaged in a bloody civil war and sustained a Republican experiment under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell.
-
The Age of Revolution
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume III
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the third volume in Churchill's famous account. During the long period of 1688 to 1815, three revolutions took place, and all led to war between the British and the French.
-
The Great Democracies
- A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume IV
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The fourth and last volume in Churchill's famous account spans 1815 to 1901. It closes when the British Empire is at its peak, with a staggering one-fifth of the human race presided over by the longest reigning monarch in British history: Queen Victoria.
-
-
This book will not disappoint history fans
- By Omar Shubeilat on 08-08-2020
-
The Second World War: The Grand Alliance
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dealing with war on a giant scale, The Grand Alliance focuses on events as Britain, after fighting a desperate battle alone, was joined in the struggle against the enemy by Soviet Russia and the United Sates. Hitler's invasion of Russia brought to an end a period of almost exactly a year during which Britain and her Empire had stood alone. Six months later, the United States, attacked by Japan, joined the war and the Grand Alliance was born.
-
-
Mandatory Reading
- By Brett Miell on 17-07-2019
-
The Second World War: Alone
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"After the first forty days we were alone," writes Churchill. This edition is part two of Churchill's own abridgement of his original six-volume history of the Second World War.
-
-
Mandatory Reading
- By Brett Miell on 17-07-2019
-
The World Crisis 1911-18
- Part 1 - 1911 to 1914
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Part One Winston Churchill's superlative account of the prelude to and events of the First World War is a defining work of 20th-century history. With dramatic narrative power Churchill reconstructs the action on the Western and Eastern Fronts, the wars at sea and in the air and the advent of tanks and U-boats.
-
-
W.S.C. at his best
- By La Fitch on 17-12-2018
-
The Second World War: Triumph and Tragedy
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This volume of Churchill's history ofWorld Ward 2 recounts the dramatic months as the war drew to a close - the normandy landings, the liberation of western Europe, the bombing of hiroshima and Nagaski, and the surrender of Germany and Japan.
-
-
Sobering to see things could have been different
- By Stephen Grocott on 25-09-2020
-
The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster
- By: Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Churchill's history of the Second World War is, and will remain, the definitive work. Lucid, dramatic, remarkable for its breadth and sweep and for its sense of personal involvement, it is universally acknowledged as a magnificent reconstruction.
-
-
Well told story
- By Tony Wood on 27-01-2015
-
The World Crisis - 1911-1918, Part Two
- 1915
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Winston Churchill's superlative account of the prelude to and events of the First World War is a defining work of 20th-century history. With dramatic narrative power Churchill reconstructs the action on the Western and Eastern Fronts, the wars at sea and in the air and the advent of tanks and U-boats. Rich with personal insights, this second part of Churchill's magisterial book covers the year 1915.
-
-
The Dardanelles Explained
- By A Descendant of Scotsmen on 11-09-2018
-
The World Crisis 1911-1918 - Part Three 1916-1918
- By: Sir Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Winston Churchill's superlative account of the prelude to and events of the First World War is a defining work of twentieth-century history. With dramatic narrative power Churchill reconstructs the action on the Western and Eastern Fronts, the wars at sea and in the air and the advent of tanks and U-boats. The third and final part of Churchill's magisterial book includes the chapters Verdun, Jutland: The Encounter, The Battle of the Somme, The Intervention of the United States, Britain Conquers the U-boats, The Climax and Victory.
-
-
Staggering. Every human should should read this.
- By mr t g curtis on 09-04-2018
-
Churchill
- Walking with Destiny
- By: Andrew Roberts
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 50 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There have been over a thousand previous biographies of Churchill. Andrew Roberts now draws on over 40 new sources, including the private diaries of King George VI, used in no previous Churchill biography, to depict him more intimately and persuasively than any of its predecessors.
-
-
good history
- By roger on 23-11-2018
-
Churchill
- The Power of Words
- By: Sir Winston Churchill, Martin Gilbert
- Narrated by: Fraser Wilson
- Length: 18 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Winston Churchill understood and wielded the power of words throughout his six decades in the public eye. His wartime writings and speeches revealed both his vision for the future and his own personal feelings, fascinating generation after generation with their powerful style and thoughtful reflection. In this book Churchill's official biographer, Martin Gilbert, has skilfully selected 200 extracts from his entire oeuvre of books, articles and speeches that reflect his life story, career and philosophy.
-
My Early Life
- By: Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the classic volumes of autobiography, My Early Life is a lively and colourful account of a young man's quest for action, adventure and danger. Churchill's schooldays are undistinguished, but he is admitted to Sandhurst and embarks on a career as a soldier and a war correspondent, seeing action in Cuba, in India, in the Sudan - where he took part in the battle of Omdurman, of which he gives us a stirring account - and finally in South Africa.
-
-
Learned a lot I hadn’t known,
- By Greg Sale on 10-12-2017
-
Hornblower and the Crisis
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this, the final Horatio Hornblower adventure, C.S. Forester throws his hero into one of the most challenging missions yet. Upon discovering highly confidential papers dispatched by Bonaparte, Hornblower sets off to enlighten the Admiralty about his game-changing, new findings. Troubled after having been informed of Pierre-Charles Villeneuve's escape into Spain, they welcome Horatio's news and send him off on a high-priority assignment that they believe will lead to England's victory over Napoleon.
-
-
Disappointingly short
- By Dk Chambers on 29-06-2018
-
Hornblower and the Atropos
- By: C.S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the year 1805, the young and enthusiastic Horatio Hornblower is given his first command as Captain of HMS Atropos. A 22-gun sloop, it is hardly the biggest ship in the navy, but undeterred, Hornblower boards the Atropos in eager anticipation of the voyages to come. Acting as flagship during the funeral procession for Lord Nelson, Horatio's first endeavour is to pay tribute to the country's fallen hero.
-
-
Another keeper
- By Dk Chambers on 29-04-2018
-
Mr Midshipman Hornblower
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shaking off this label, a shy and lonely 17-year-old, Horatio Hornblower, embarks on a memorable career in Nelson's navy on HMS Justinian. In action, adventure, and battle he is forged into one of the most formidable junior officers in the service.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Agent Simr on 19-05-2020
-
Flying Colours
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hornblower becomes a national hero when he escapes a French firing squad. But the 'Terror of the Mediterranean' becomes Europe's most wanted man, forced to fight alone for England - and liberty.
-
-
Classic Hornblower Goodliness!
- By Agent Simr on 24-09-2020
-
Burma '44
- The Battle That Turned Britain's War in the East
- By: James Holland
- Narrated by: Al Murray
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In February 1944, a rag-tag collection of clerks, drivers, doctors, muleteers and other base troops, stiffened by a few dogged Yorkshiremen and a handful of tank crews, managed to hold out against some of the finest infantry in the Japanese Army and then defeat them in what was one of the most astonishing battles of the Second World War. What became known as the Defence of the Admin Box, fought amongst the paddy fields and jungle of Northern Arakan over a 15-day period, turned the battle for Burma.
-
-
brilliant stir and narration
- By Leo on 20-01-2021
Publisher's Summary
More from the same
What listeners say about The Birth of Britain
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ian
- 19-09-2015
Fascinating, well written, amazing voice acting;
This was good in every way, except it almost completely concentrates on the royalty of the time. Churchill makes it clear that the situation in the country side, and the evolution of technology, government, and social structure among the commoners of England seemed to have played a huge roll in the destiny of Britain. And yet, he barely talks about what was going on there and how that all arose. Instead the entire story is about the nobility and the family feuds they had. Non the less, it is so well written that it is fascinating.
Also the performance by Christian Rodska was amazing. One of the best I've ever heard.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Terry Pettengill
- 11-02-2007
Birth of Britain
Winston Churchill's seminal work crackles right along through centuries of British depravity and triumphs, just enough detail and on you go (although one might wish to hear a bit more of the condition of the non-noble common man). Churchill spices his research with a generous serving of opinion in a way that only one who has "been there" can do. While it was launched decades ago it remains a very contemporary history.
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Stephen
- 02-09-2009
Fantastic Historical Detail and Accuracy
Winston Churchill takes a period of history for which most are simply unaware and breaks it down into manageable sections, and while packed with details, his presentation is more like reading a story rather listening to a history lesson. Christian Rodska is simply wonderful to listen to and makes this great volume of information a very easy listen. The only downside I can think of is that listening to 16 hours of audio twice is a lot to handle, but believe me, you will want to, it really is that good.
31 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- brendanstallard
- 02-08-2012
Excellent History
I passed exams in History at school, how I don't know. I found it boring to the max.
A couple of years ago, I started to read the fabulously bitchy history of England by Baron Macaulay for Librivox audio. It was an absolute hoot, which made me realise that history can be interesting and fun.
The more I read, the more I realise how good *this* work of Winston Churchills really is. David Hume's is probably the more complete, but this definitely puts meat on dry bones. The late Winston was an opinionated old scoot, and without doubt, definitely a snob. He unquestionably considered the aristocracy, of which he was a member, rather better than yer average citizen.
Strangely enough, while that does come through, it doesn't annoy.
I particularly enjoyed his take on the middle ages, where it had the definite ring of veracity.
Every history of Britain suffers from lack of detail from Caesars time through about AD800 or so. The documents are patchy, and mostly compiled from monks drawing the history of their church, rather than the times. Churchill runs through this time lightly, offering his opinion as best as can be gained from the documents available, and better than most, Hume included.
Very well read, very well written and consistently interesting. A surprise and a constant delight.
brendan
24 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Mark Patterson
- 28-08-2006
A Complicated Glimpse into Churchill's Mind
Churchill's writing is good and the history is engaging. If you are a fan of the Lion of England, this history provides some insight into how he thought. But, you will probably need a pen & paper to keep up with all the names and places. I am somewhat familiar with both and I still found myself rewinding repeatedly.
21 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- B.R.
- 29-06-2013
Traditional Historical Writing at its Best
This is not a modern academic work of history, it's something more. From time to time it lacks the precision that we have come to expect of books on history written by academic historians, the careful balancing different points of view, and objective commentary. This work is Sir Winston at his best, with all his quirks and ideals. He offers unabashed praise of the English Speaking Peoples, their laws, their customs, their history, and their values and; in this world of politically correct 'objective' academic works, it seems a breath of fresh air. It was written by a son of the English aristocracy who makes no apologies for his views, his ancestors, or his past. And, yet, don't think that it's a politically incorrect or biased work, it's not, he's simply indifferent to these concerns. This indifference grants him the ability to comment freely on the events of history and this commentary is where the book really shines. Churchill makes connections between events throughout history that help tie together a thousand years of our past and help to explain events that might otherwise seem unrelated or inexplicable. Some of these connections are the type that modern historians would require an entire book to justify, Churchill simply asserts them, you are free to form your own opinion about their value or veracity. More than relaying history, Churchill explains history and this fact will likely ensure that this work is read for centuries to come.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Mollynash
- 05-06-2006
Britain becomes a nation
Churchill wrote an interesting history and made several hundred years of English kings and wars and castle intrigue cogent and arresting. I look forward to the subsequent volumes.
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Kindle Customer
- 21-07-2011
Magnificant Historian
I don't know a better writer than Winston Churchill. It is like sitting in the room with a great story teller. My only regret about this book is that it covers too much ground too quickly. Having read a substantial amount about English history I still have difficulty keeping the Kings and Queens straight. Keeping this in mind this is a book that I shall read (listen to) several times.I cannot recommend the read more highly.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- mistifa
- 05-02-2011
Lots of info but thoroughly enjoyable
I agree with another reviewer that the many names, places, events and battles are hard to keep track of and I had to rewind often to keep up. Eventually I decided to just go with the flow and only rewound when really necessary. Once I gave up having to have all the details, I realized I was still retaining the general sense and direction of the events and still very much enjoying it. I like hearing Churchill???s take on things ??? especially when he remarks on how these historical events are similar to events in his time, which is powerful in light of what he lived through. I also really liked the narrator who sounded very Churchillian to me. Always clear, never hard to understand and had a pleasant pace and flow to his reading. I???m getting the second volume now and look forward to hearing about Elizabeth I.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Bryan
- 12-07-2011
English History From a Master
There is a reason Winston Churchill could always be sure that his finances could be refilled by his writing. This is English history in great detail that feels like a wonderful story.
Churchill had a great feel for this history of his country and people, and this (the first of his 4 volume History of the English Speaking Peoples) gets the story rolling quickly. The story does go back into pre-Roman Britain, but it really gets rolling with his detailed look at all the kings and battles that put England together out of a rolling cast of Vikings, Saxons, Scots, Picts, and all the various brigands that tried to control this island.
The detail of the history is good, but what really brings this to a higher level of history is Churchill's insight into what the actions of different people or groups meant to the overall history of England and its culture.
Its interesting to note that this book was actually researched and started before WW I, but he went back to it after this cataclysm and brought out a classic of history.
I can't wait for the other 3 volumes to appear.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 09-05-2016
A glorious history of treachery and cruelty.
If only the Romans had remained in
England. Instead the inhabitants spent the next 1000 years breaking oaths, beheading each other, and generally acting badly.
Churchill does a fine job making the litany compressible.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Tom
- 04-07-2007
warmly recommended
I have just finished listening to the fourth volume of this splendid series. The presentation is rather out of date now - these books were completed in the 1950s - and would probably not pass muster academically as objective and impartial history - for example, the focus on 'english speaking peoples' is a bit awkward particularly in the fourth volume which includes rather dull - for this series - sections on New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the US. He also makes no secret of his attachment to the old british empire - David Schama's history of the comparable period makes for an interesting contrast ( though I have not yet listened to the audio version).
But you cant take away the wonderful prose, which draws you into the books like an adventure, and the story is told with great style and verve. I believe also that Churchil dictated his books to his secretaries and this results, I think, in them being particularly well suited to being read out lound - and Christian Rodscka reads them with great flair and clarity. Listeners to the BBC's 'this sceptred isle' will be familiar with these books and if you enjoyed the former you should certainly get great pleasure from the latter. I shall certainly listen to them again in the future.
40 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- N Cowan
- 11-04-2013
Brilliant History
I follow a few historical podcasts, and they both mention this series. I can see why. Sir Winston was a man of a great many talents, and though some of his history writing is coloured by his experiences, and in some cases his lack of detailed knowledge, he does a fantastic job in creating a coherent overview of the history of the english speaking peoples. I feel that all history students from year 7 should have to read through this - added to the Horrible histories that kids are watching now, we might have a generation who actually know something of their history. Well worth listening to, I'm on the second and planning on buying 3 and 4 - especially as Churchill was involved with the later history directly!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kirstine
- 24-06-2015
Pacy telling of England’s early history
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
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- GeoffC
- 15-01-2021
easy listening, great content, wonderful book
Churchill's history is wonderful. great use of words, easy listening, so informative. sorry it has ended but three more volumes to go!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- David M
- 12-02-2020
History for those who already know it
This should be enjoyable writing/listening for those who already know English history. Those of us who don't, really need a proper study guide with maps, charts and diagrams. I enjoyed the bits of history that I already knew. The other bits didn't mean anything to me, they just went over my head and I kept falling asleep.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- S. Evans
- 01-11-2019
Superb history told with great vigour and elan
The book is one of the milestones of history, and the reading fully rises to the challenge of delivering Churchill's prose with the energy and clarity it demands.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- fishfanatic
- 08-09-2019
Oh to be English.
Wonderful to learn so much of what makes my birthplace so advanced and gave so much to the modern world.Britain and all its people's.
1 person found this helpful
20 Best Fantasy Audiobooks
This genre is so full of talent, it can be difficult to know what to listen to next — so look no further than this list to get you started.



20 Best Nonfiction Audiobooks
From the entire history of humanity to astrophysics, to our gut and mental health, dig into this list and learn something new.



Best Australian Podcasts on Audible
Audible Original Podcasts are free for Audible members. Check out this list of home-grown content, from binge-worthy true crime to self-help.


