Customer Reviews

Never Give In: The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a politician Churchill made some mistakes, and he was not always consistant, but he was right pretty often, and right on most of the big things. Today we need the qualities of courage and determination against all odds that he projected, as well as his great vision of history. One can imagine how decisively he would have dealt with the war on terrorism had he been alive today. He combined valour and a high romantic vision of nobility and of the worth of our civilization's heritage with (most of the time) a firm foundation and framework of common sense and appreciation of what was and was not possible. Though he loved military pageantry he cared for humanity and did much more than most to save it in a dark Century. These speeches are an important part of the heritage of the besieged West, and a tool-kit to aid clear and decisive thinking in toubled and confusing times. The book deserves its high place on Amazon's sales list. Reading it is a tonic for the spirit.

Finally, reading great chunks of Churchill is the best thing for improving one's own English style that I know. His prose is a delight to read, and a painless lesson in the effective use of words.

Originally this book seemed to have high hopes. Churchill was simply the best, most eloquent moving speaker of the 20ths century. Anyone who has listened to his speeches on tape will agree that his metered tone, angry growl and twisting of words like Nazi into 'Nazziiii' will move you to tears and to want to follow him. This book is a compilation of his `greatest speeches'. Unfortunately the volume does not emphasize his BEST speeches, namely the ones he made from 1938-1941. The author, his grandson, should have spent more time introducing the really famous speeches and spent less time and space on the more marginal speeches which took place in 1942-44.

Churchill has always been remembered for three things; Warning Britain of impending war in the 30s, rallying the country when all seemed lost in 1940 and finally for warning the world of communism in the `iron curtain' speech. Although these important speeches are in this book its not easy to find them and they are jumbled in with speeches that are easily forgettable.

Its almost impossible to locate the `Never give in, never surrender' speech for which the book is named. Its even harder to locate the `fight on the beaches, fight in the hills' speech. Not quite as hard to find is the `finest hour' speech. Also hard to locate though is the `if a large part of our island should be occupied we shall retreat to our empire and our navy' portion of his famous 1940 speech. This essential line occurs in the end of a speech that is not introduced as being important, and yet this line was important in seeing Churchill's unending hatred and indomitable will to defeat Hitler, no matter the cost, a personality trait which probably saved western civilization from the Huns.

An important book, a great reference and a good gift. Its downfall is that the author didn't want to add much commentary. He must have figured readers would find the important speeches and statements themselves. But to someone who enjoys Churchill but is not familiar with when exactly his famous speeches occurred it will be hard to find his best one liners.

What strikes the reader most is this: WSC saw the moral dimension of political and economic events. I expected the eloquence and the courage; I didn't expect the insight and moral depth. So this becomes more than a collection of great speeches; more than a demonstration of the power of words used well; it shines as an example of the importance of the moral dimension of everyday events. Churchill saw that, and shared it with us all. This is a terrific book.

This is an outstanding collection of speeches from perhaps the greatest orator to grace the English language. Having been edited and published by his grandson, Winston Churchill, it would be tempting to be cynical and think of this as a money making exercise, but that would be very wrong.

The editor has taken great care in his selection, and the thoughtfulness shows through. For example, the book ranges from the famous, such as "Be ye men of valour" or "We shall fight them on the beaches" to esoteric speeches such as that delivered on the repudiation of the Balfour Declaration.

This is book which will rightly appeal to many, from those interested in history, to those wanting to study the works of a great orator, and pure and simple Churchill fans. The best thing though, is that one can dip into the book and sample it at different places. It holds pride of place on my bookshelf.

I bought this book seeking to learn from Churchill's skills as an orator, and I got more than my money's worth. If you're interested in the art of public speaking, then by all means read Churchill's speaches!

As a positive side effect (concidering my purpose in reading it), it is a morally inspiring book. Churchill's eloquence works in paper almost as much as it did in real life.

One can feel it from the very first speeches. Churchill had a spirit , a life, a kind of vitality and energy in all that he did. Even in the most ordinary matters he conveys a certain excitement and drama. This is of course especially true in the great speeches that rallied the British people in the Second World War. The Dunkirk speech, the "we will never surrender" words, the "Finest Hour" words of determination and defiance. Along with the great sweep of heroic feeling there is a language somehow so visceral, so capable of stirring the emotions.
And it is important to remember that these speeches were not simply brilliant rhetorical performances, but were historical actions of the first order which had meaning in the great struggle to save freedom and human civilization.

given the recent turn of events in the world, I became very interested in Churchill. This book does a good job of presenting some of his most famous speeches and giving the reader a look at a tremendous speaker and exceptional human being. His complete speeches fill several books, so this is a lot more user friendly for those who want the more condensed version.

Churchill was a tremendous figure. Who talks like this now? What politician has the moral courage to go against what is popular or easy to do what he believes to be right?

I really wish we had leaders like this in our time. Churchill lead England through a brutal period of a year and a half when nobody was standing against Hitler in Europe. He never sugar coated things. He believed absolutely in what he had to do, and more importantly, he explained things clearly to people and made them understand that he needed them. Just check out his speechs during the Battle of Britain. He drives you with his words, spurring his listeners to action.

Anyone who loves history should buy this book and add it too their library. It's powerful stuff.

Despite the sometimes ponderous language the man's grim determination never to give in on important matters is evident. His respect for parliament, the niceties of formal relationships and his conviction that democracy is the only acceptable form of government also stand out. His tremendous stamina is amazing. I'm glad I bought the book.

What can one say about this prolific writer and historical figure! I am so glad that someone has slogged through and excerpted the most uplifting and insightful of Winston Churchill's writings and speeches. I gave a copy of this to a LCDR in Iraq, who said it was the perfect book for him. When inspiration is necessary, this is a great book!

Most of us even with a cursory knowledge of history have heard or read of some quotations of Winston Churchill. Such phrases as "This was their finest hour", "An Iron Curtain has descended " and "Blood toil, tears and sweat."
Even taken out of context these words stir the emotions and inspire. I have read many of Churchill's speeches all the way through. They are indeed inspiring and very well thought out.
In this two CD disc set conceived and produced by his grandson Winston S. Churchill, we actually hear these speeches as they are given. Not all the speeches selected were indeed recorded. Those speeches that weren't were read by Churchill's grandson.
What must be remembered that when the majority of these speeches were given Great Britain was indeed fighting all alone. What we hear is Winston Churchill defying Nazism and inspiring and indeed explaining all what was happening in the War against the Nazi regime.
Indeed he was the Spokesman as well as Defense Minister and Prime Minster. Also in his spare time he was the Speechwriter.
In hearing these famous speeches one can feel the calming effects in Churchill's voice. Also you can hear his anger and vehemence at Herr Hitler. These indeed were desperate times but these speeches served to inform and inspire the British people. Churchill inspired an Empire to never, never give in.
After hearing these speeches in the desperate times of World War II, one can attest that Churchill was the greatest orator of the English language.
I really don't have enough Stars!!!