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  • Britain's War

  • Volume 2, A New World, 1942-1947
  • By: Daniel Todman
  • Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
  • Length: 49 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (129 ratings)
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Britain's War cover art

Britain's War

By: Daniel Todman
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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Summary

Part two of Daniel Todman's epic history of the Second World War opens with one of the greatest disasters in British military history - the fall of Singapore in February 1942. Unlike the aftermath of Dunkirk, there was no redeeming narrative available here - Britain had been defeated by a far smaller Japanese force in her grandly proclaimed, invincible Asian 'fortress'.

The unique skill of Daniel Todman's history lies in its never losing sight of the interconnectedness of the British experience. The agony of Singapore, for example, is seen through the eyes of its inhabitants, of its defenders, of Churchill's cabinet, and of ordinary people at home. Each stage of the war, from the nadir of early 1942 to the great series of victories in 1944-5, and on to Indian independence, is described both as it was understood at the time and in the light of the very latest historical research.

Britain's War is a triumph of narrative, empathy and research, as gripping in its handling of individual witnesses to the war - those doomed to struggle with bombing, rationing, exhausting work and above all the absence of millions of family members - as of the gigantic military, social, technological and economic forces that swept the conflict along. It is the definitive account of a drama which reshaped our country.

©2020 Daniel Todman (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"A historian of notable gifts." (Max Hastings, Sunday Times)

What listeners say about Britain's War

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Answers the question of why Churchill lost the peace

Excellent detailed examination of the social and political happenings alongside the more familiar war story . Very revealing and honest description of the true impact of WW2 on Britain and the subsequent collapse of our Empire

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12 people found this helpful

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great listen really got into it

it takes you into the back stage goings on of the war years very very entertaining listen

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Intersting book; annoying narration

This book itself is interesting and adds details omitted from other narratives, but the narrator is quite annoying. He reads annoyingly slowly, carefully - and pointlessly - enunciating every single word individually.

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2 people found this helpful

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Changing of Empire Britain 0-USA 1 - EEC 6

Fantastic insight how Britain lost out in WW2 by stealth and how the vanquished won the piece by the USA ensuring GB would never have the influence it was had . That doctrine still applies in 2023 . Refer to Joe Biden .

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Less individual focus in book 2

I felt book one had greater importance on individuals rather than purely government figures.

Still a very interesting book would recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

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Excellent

Tremendous book. Volume 2 as good as volume 1. The breadth of the book makes for getting a full picture of the war. Politics, the fronts and home are all covered in just the right amount of detail.

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totally Absorbing Listening…I learned A Great Deal

I liked the progressive nature of this journey throughout history …the narrator was well chosen and he unravelled the progress of the Second World War and I learned much that I hadn’t heard beforehand…especially the aftermath of the terrible conflict and the disastrous withdrawal from the Indian Sub-Continent by the British Government and the continuing problems within that vast area. I wish all histories were presented in such an understandable and interesting format. Rob Mannion.

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Very informative but annoying attempts ‘ Voice impersonation’s’!

Not a light read but very informative, most aggravating and annoying aspect was terrible and feeble attempts at voice impersonation! The whole series would have been excellent if it had just been narrated in ‘Normal’ speech!

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Not so much a good listen as a journey

Ever since school I have always been very keen on early 20th century history with particular emphasis on the years leading up to and directly after the war and how it made us the country we are today.
This is far and away the best account and the most comprehensive account of that period I have ever read / listened to. You are left in no doubt as to the reasons why things happened and the way that they did, which makes the story engaging and satisfying.
The narrator's style is excellent although his 'Churchill' is a bit hit and miss in the second part. I would recommend it to anybody and thank the author.

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Detailed and thorough account

I doubt you could find a more detailed and interesting account of this period of history. Enjoyed it very much

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