William Manchester, William Manchester: The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965 (Hardcover, 2013, Bantam)
paperback, 1200 pages
Published Nov. 5, 2013 by Bantam.
Spanning the years 1940 to 1965, The Last Lion: Defender of the Realm begins shortly after Winston Churchill became prime minister—when Great Britain stood alone against the overwhelming might of Nazi Germany. In brilliant prose and informed by decades of research, William Manchester and Paul Reid recount how Churchill organized his nation’s military response and defense, convinced FDR to support the cause, and personified the “never surrender” ethos that helped win the war. We witness Churchill, driven from office, warning the world of the coming Soviet menace. And after his triumphant return to 10 Downing Street, we follow him as he pursues his final policy goal: a summit with President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leaders. And in the end, we experience Churchill’s last years, when he faces the end of his life with the same courage he brought to every battle he ever fought.
So, Manchester wrote two volumes of this work and had completed research for the third and final volume when death caught up to him. Paul Reid picked up the pen and completed this magnificent document. I listened to all 50+ hours of the unabridged audio version of this book and didn't want to put it down. The first two volumes set up Winston for greatness and the final one sees him achieve it.
