The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Vol. 3

Author William Manchester, Paul Reid
Narrator Clive Chafer
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Run Time 2 days, 5 hours and 24 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Biography: historical, political and military, European history, History, Political leaders and leadership, Second World War.

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What to expect

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 twenty 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.

Critics Review

“Clive Chafer’s presentation is outstanding, with his mellow British accent remaining authentic and easy on the ear throughout. Pacing is everything in a book of this length, and Chafer’s perfect tempo moves the text briskly along while allowing listeners to absorb the riveting details. He employs the lightest touch with pace and tone to indicate shifts from narrative to quoted material. This pairing of gifted authors and expert narrator turns an initially intimidating audiobook into that perfect choice for a long winter’s listen. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
AudioFile
“Churchill was the greatest man of the last century, and this is the greatest biography of him.”
John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author
“The final volume is…majestic and inspiring.”
People
“A must-read finale.”
USA Today
“This book is superb. It has tremendous pace, rich detail, and immense drama.”
Washington Post
“Brilliant and beautiful, evocative.”
Boston Globe
“Masterful…[with] the detailed research, sharp analysis, and sparkling prose that readers of the first two volumes have come to expect.”
Associated Press
“Masters the details and sweep of an extraordinary story.”
Minneapolis Star-Tribune
“This is surely the best installment of the [series]…a winning, full-blooded biography.”
Newsday
“Magnificently delineated…The story of Churchill and Britain in the Second World War…is vividly evoked by Manchester and Reid.”
Winnipeg Free Press (Canada)
“The long-delayed majestic account of Winston Churchill’s last twenty-five years is worth the wait.”
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Churchill is revealed, warts and all, as a complex man…The great majority of this volume is devoted to the war, which most will agree encompassed Churchill’s finest hours… Manchester’s magnum opus.”
Library Journal (starred review)
“Discover the steadfast courage and military brilliance of Winston Churchill…when he alone faced the threat of Nazi Germany.”
BookPage

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