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A review by karinaleonard
The Great Democracies by Winston Churchill
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."