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Britain's War
- Volume 1, Into Battle, 1937-1941
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 35 hrs and 27 mins
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Britain's War
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Summary
The most terrible emergency in Britain's history, the Second World War, required an unprecedented national effort. An exhausted country had to fight an unexpectedly long war and found itself much diminished amongst the victors.
The outcome of the war was nonetheless a triumph, not least for a political system that proved well adapted to the demands of a total conflict and for a population who had to make many sacrifices but who were spared most of the horrors experienced in the rest of Europe.
Britain's War is a narrative of these epic events, an analysis of the myriad factors that shaped military success and failure, and an explanation of what the war tells us about the history of modern Britain. As compelling on the major military events as he is on the experience of ordinary people living through exceptional times, Todman suffuses his extraordinary book with a vivid sense of a struggle which left nobody unchanged - and explores why, despite terror, separation and deprivation, Britons were overwhelmingly willing to pay the price of victory.
This audiobook begins with the coronation of George VI and ends with the disasters in the Far East in December 1941. A second audiobook will tell the story from 1942 to Indian independence in 1947.
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What listeners say about Britain's War
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 15-06-21
Mostly superb, one bigger issue
I have now finished this first book and will start with the next one and it's exactly the type of book I enjoy a lot, a very long and detailed account of a limited topic (i.e. a specific nation during a set period) in a very interesting period of time. Let's face it, nothing beats the WW2 era when it comes to interesting events and the amount of historical information available, while still nit being quite recent enough to be too familiar.
The book is very good, for the most part even among the best of these types of historical books and the narration is very well done. There's just one area where there’s a pretty massive issue for me, the book is so good otherwise that I still gave it 4 stars even with such a glaring weakness. The issue is the clear political bias and ideological bend the writer has when it comes to political and social issues, which is of the common academic left wing type. The writer also clearly dislikes Churchill and it shows throughout. Now, no one can be fully objective, but here it feels like the author isn't even trying and even though it doesn’t really affect the way he covers issues related to the war, it casts a shadow of doubt on that part as well. Without that this would be a nearly perfect work in its category, so it's really a shame. Still, I realky recommend this to anyone who enjoys heavy historical accounts like this!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Andrew J Walley
- 30-03-20
Myth busting triumph of a book
Great research provides detailed rationale of the policy and politics of pre war and war time decision making backed up by a wealth of statistical facts Also illuminated and rehabilitated some of the myriad personalities involved , many of whom are often normally ignored or glossed over in favour of the traditional main characters . Great job !
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Keith Jammy Robertson
- 16-02-21
A must for anyone with a WW2 interest
very well narrated. A fantastic view of the home front politically and socially. Looking forward to Part two.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- EJ
- 02-05-20
Excellent Narration
Thoroughly enjoying listening to this book and I will then move on to Part 2. Both long books but superb to have during the lockdown as time passes so quickly whilst I am listening. Ric Jerrom is perfect as the narrator.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Maguire
- 19-08-21
Challenging convention
An exceptional review of the shared British experience during the opening phase of WW2.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- rednagrima
- 20-05-22
Excellent unbiased account
Well researched with lots of data. The narrator is very good, I like his Churchill voice.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert Hood
- 05-07-21
Excellent
This is by far the most comprehensive retelling of the war from a British perspective. The attention to detail gives the reader a feel seeing the period in real time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Teeden
- 26-01-22
Detailed analysis of Britain at war
Really enjoyed this. Superbly researched and details explained really well. Narration very clear, easy on the ear and impersonations acceptable. Looking forward to the next volume.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mushrooms
- 15-02-17
Great Political & Social History
Gives you the necessary military context and timeline, but really shines on the worldwide and domestic political machinations. Excellent on the social and economic aspects of the conflict. Good use of contemporary comments from all social strata without becoming a unfocused quote fest.
Clear narration but a bit monotonous in inflection, leavened with a few am dram surprised/quizzical cadences.
Looking forward to part two. Wonder who wins? Ahem.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- qwerty
- 19-09-17
Quite in depth, well read.
Good details for what was going on behind the scenes in the British government. Plenty of sources referred to and it rolls along a pace, never boring. Very well narrated. It could have been disastrous with the wrong narrator. I'll be re listening as there is so much to take in.
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2 people found this helpful