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warrenl's review against another edition
3.0
In my opinion the driest of the four volumes, it maintains Winston's interest in all things political and military, at the expense of everything else. For example, the American Civil war consumes a good third of the book; the Industrial Revolution is almost entirely overlooked. Allowing for this (would we expect anything more or less from Winston?), I'd award four stars, except that I found the Civil War chapters peculiarly tedious - Winston's enthusiasm for battle details got in the way of his writing a truly interesting account of the War.
Still, you can't go past this series. It's a unique account if history by a man who made an awful lot of it. it is compulsory reading if you are interested in Churchill- it tells you as much about the man as the history he describes.
Still, you can't go past this series. It's a unique account if history by a man who made an awful lot of it. it is compulsory reading if you are interested in Churchill- it tells you as much about the man as the history he describes.
jblmk's review against another edition
5.0
The reasons behind passed revolutions can still be felt today.
jblmk's review against another edition
5.0
This is another powerful chapter in the saga of the English speaking people written by a man with master control of the language.
ovvlish's review against another edition
4.0
Very readable (I listened to the audiobook narrated by Christian Rodska, which was a delight, given his very posh accent and the extensive chapters about the United States)! I was surprised by how self-aware some of his analysis was of the recent past. I went in expecting a very particular type of white, male, establishment take on a lot of things, including slavery and imperialism, and to a certain degree still got that, but it was definitely more nuanced than I anticipated.
karinaleonard's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really good overview of English and American history. I have now read both the first in the series, [b:A History Of The English Speaking Peoples, Volume I: The Birth of Britain|90235|A History Of The English Speaking Peoples, Volume I The Birth of Britain|Winston Churchill|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171188460s/90235.jpg|994363], and this volume. I learned a lot of 19th century British history that I had heard almost nothing about, and also about Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. His section on the American Civil War and Reconstruction was superb. I understood some of the battles like I never had before. I like Winston Churchill's writing, and his views on the history as well(you can't read a history book without the author having a bit of a slant). His view on American history is that of an Englishman, and it was interesting to get a different perspective, especially of the dealings between England and the U.S. I also learned a lot about British politics and politicians, and it was interesting to get historical context after I had read a biography on Queen Victoria--this book basically covers the history at the time of her reign and life.
I have really grown as a reader since starting this book, because I had to read a lot slower to understand at the beginning then at the end. He uses big words and narrates concisely and well. I had to pay attention to get everything--there was a lot of information packed into a paragraph. He mentions the Mormons and treats them well. I loved this description for his word choice: "Within three years a flourishing community of eleven thousand souls, combining religious fervour, philoprogenitiveness, and shrewd economic sense, had been established by careful planning in the Salt Lake country." Isn't philoprogenitiveness a great word to describe Latter Day Saints?
I thought the last paragraph was wonderful, and read in the context of the time he wrote it, profound: "Here is set out a long story of the English-speaking peoples. They are now to become Allies in terrible but victorious wars. And that is not the end. Another phase looms before us, in which alliance will once more be tested and in which its formidable virtues may be to preserve Peace and Freedom. The future is unknowable, but the past should give us hope. Nor should we now seek to define precisely the exact terms of ultimate union."
I have really grown as a reader since starting this book, because I had to read a lot slower to understand at the beginning then at the end. He uses big words and narrates concisely and well. I had to pay attention to get everything--there was a lot of information packed into a paragraph. He mentions the Mormons and treats them well. I loved this description for his word choice: "Within three years a flourishing community of eleven thousand souls, combining religious fervour, philoprogenitiveness, and shrewd economic sense, had been established by careful planning in the Salt Lake country." Isn't philoprogenitiveness a great word to describe Latter Day Saints?
I thought the last paragraph was wonderful, and read in the context of the time he wrote it, profound: "Here is set out a long story of the English-speaking peoples. They are now to become Allies in terrible but victorious wars. And that is not the end. Another phase looms before us, in which alliance will once more be tested and in which its formidable virtues may be to preserve Peace and Freedom. The future is unknowable, but the past should give us hope. Nor should we now seek to define precisely the exact terms of ultimate union."
franfernandezarce's review against another edition
4.0
Slightly disappointed that Jonathan Strange did not appear by the end to help defeat Napoleon but, oh well!
evamadera1's review against another edition
3.0
I was unaware that this was the fourth in a series. I will definitely be adding the first three to my list if for no other reason than to gain a better understanding of it's author.
Churchill demonstrates both his skill and shortcomings as a historian in this work. For example, some of his vocabulary illustrates both the views of time period he was raised in and some of his own prejudices.
Additionally, the narrative feels a bit too heavily weighted towards America than I expected or wanted. I'm looking forward to a reading a few books on English history that I have coming up on my list. Some of these transitions between countries/topics were a bit awkward as well.
Blemishes aside, I did enjoy this book and can't wait to read the rest.
Churchill demonstrates both his skill and shortcomings as a historian in this work. For example, some of his vocabulary illustrates both the views of time period he was raised in and some of his own prejudices.
Additionally, the narrative feels a bit too heavily weighted towards America than I expected or wanted. I'm looking forward to a reading a few books on English history that I have coming up on my list. Some of these transitions between countries/topics were a bit awkward as well.
Blemishes aside, I did enjoy this book and can't wait to read the rest.
marcuschoo's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent as usual, but one gets that the narrative is being very spread thin as Churchill attempts to cover British, American, and French history all at once. Even his great ability is limited in how many ways he can describe cavalry charges, troop movements, and the firing of guns. My eyes glazed over on several pages which were mostly lists of verbs of motion. Nonetheless, exciting and informative, though I may now hold the final volume in abeyance for some time.
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