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The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 cover art

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3

Written by: William Manchester, Paul Reid
Narrated by: Clive Chafer, Paul Reid
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Publisher's Summary

Spanning the years 1940 to 1965, Defender of the Realm, the third volume of William Manchester’s The Last Lion, picks up shortly after Winston Churchill became prime minister - when his tiny island nation stood alone against the overwhelming might of Nazi Germany. The Churchill portrayed by Manchester and Reid is a man of indomitable courage, lightning-fast intellect, and an irresistible will to action.

This volume brilliantly recounts how Churchill organized his nation’s military response and defense, compelled President Roosevelt to support America’s beleaguered cousins, and personified the "never surrender" ethos that helped the Allies win the war, while at the same time adapting himself and his country to the inevitable shift of world power from the British Empire to the United States.

More than 20 years in the making, The Last Lion presents a revelatory and unparalleled portrait of this brilliant, flawed, and dynamic leader. This is popular history at its most stirring.

©2012 John Manchester, Julie Manchester, Laurie Manchester and Paul Reid; published by arrangement with John Manchester, Julie Manchester and Laurie Manchester (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc

What the critics say

"Before his death in 2004, an ill Manchester asked former Cox newspapers journalist Reid to take his research notes and finish writing the final volume of his trilogy. The long-delayed majestic account of Winston Churchill’s last 25 years is worth the wait…. Manchester matches the outstanding quality of biographers such as Robert Caro and Edmund Morris, joining this elite bank of writers who devote their lives to one subject." ( Publishers Weekly)
"General readers, as always, will be taken by [Manchester's] boundless abilities as a storyteller…. Essential for Manchester collectors, WWII buffs, and Churchill completists." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"A big book but reads easily…. The finished book is a worthy conclusion to what must be considered one of the most thorough treatments of Churchill so far produced. An essential conclusion to Manchester's magnum opus." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Another Narrater that I just can’t listen too

I have listened to 4 chapters and the narrator voice drove me crazy. I was really looking forward to the book on Churchill as it is one of the great leaders on the 19th century.

I just can’t handle the voice and the Drone like listening voice. I have to return the book and add the narrator to my donor listen to list.

That would be a good feature for the Audible app. An area to store the names of author s you have blacklisted and if you go to buy a book with a narrator that is on your do not buy list the app or website would advise you of the Narrator being on your do not buy list!

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Safety Mike

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story, but the Narration is poor.

Following in the quality of the first two parts, this is a wonderful conclusion to the story of the man Winston Churchill. Concerning content, it is a wonderful conclusion to the magnificent life of W.S. Churchill.

My own personal comment:
The narrator for this third volume however is monotonal, monotonous and hopelessly tiring to listen to in comparison to the other two books. This is most noticable when listening consecutively to the series.

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Excellent choice ..

This was great. I had no problems following the narrative (no pops and noises like volumes 1 and 2 .. returned volume 2 because of sound quality). The narrator had different voices for Churchill, Eisenhower and others when quoted. This is a great read all on its own for the war years so don't feel you must/need get the previous volumes. Well done.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Bronze Medal

Coming after Manchester’s majestic first two volumes, the third volume in this series on Churchill co-authored because he died before it could be started, pales. Nevertheless, it is a credible attempt to bring the story of Churchill’s life to a close although it probably also suffers from an anti-climax after the hair raising history of his life up to May 1940 and the sad recounting of Winston’s physical and mental deterioration from 1955. The book also suffers from a poor account of the 5 Days in May 1940 when Churchill still ‘Alone’ out maneuvered the spineless Halifax and refused to negotiate a deal with Hitler. Still good enough for a bronze medal as the first two volumes tied for the gold.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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horrible narrator

The first two books had great narration. I have no idea why they got an American to narrate a book about Churchill, pronouncing things like Birmingham wrong. Bad cadence to it too.

Edit: it turns out that was the author reading the introduction. Good thing!

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