Marlborough: His Life and Times

By: Winston Churchill

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough (1644-1722), was one of the greatest military commanders and statesmen in the history of England. Victorious in the Battles of Blenheim (1704) and Ramillies (1706) and countless other campaigns, Marlborough, whose political intrigues were almost as legendary as his military skill, never fought a battle he didn't win.

Marlborough also bequeathed the world another great British military strategist and diplomat, his descendant, Winston S. Churchill, who wrote this book to redeem Marlborough's reputation from Macaulay's smears. One million words long and ten years in the making, Churchill's Marlborough stands as both a literary and historical masterpiece, giving us unique insights into the Churchill of World War II, for just as Churchill's literary skill helps us understand the complexities of Marlborough's life, so too did his writing of Marlborough help Churchill master the arts of military strategy and diplomacy.

Listen to all four volumes here.

©2015 Winston Churchill (P)2015 Audible Studios

Sounds like an awesome D&D campaign

Idk if it was the life, the reader, or the word choice of Churchill, but it was an amazing listen. Maps would be helpful, but they aren't necessary if you are familiar with the territories described. And you can look up maps for free on Google if you really need to.

W. S. Churchill's Epic Literary Masterpiece

W. S. Churchill spent much of the 1930's writing this epic tome, to provide what he felt a balance to the previously established history provided by Macaulay which portrayed Marlborough as petty, vain, and frugal to a shameful degree. W. S. Churchill succeeded in full. The world's Greatest General was vindicated thoroughly by this incredibly well researched and well written work.
Over a million words, it is not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the time and effort. As Churchill put it best, as commander in chief, the Duke never stepped foot onto a battlefield he did not conquer nor lay siege to a fortress he did not take. In human history no other general can make such a boast, yet how few people know of the First Duke of Marlborough, and how many fewer know his incredible life's story.
Churchill is easily my favorite non-fiction author, and his wit and wisdom is thoroughly applied to every page of this mighty historical work honoring his illustrious ancestor.

Tremendous Life Story, Written by a Giant and Read as if both great men were Speaking

Captivating narrative filled with the personal insights of the key participants using their own words from a treasure trove of correspondences written at the time. Reader is terrific and actually sounds like Winston Churchill is talking to you.

Simply phenomenal

One of the greatest works of nonfiction in the English language, read by one of the few narrators who could do it justice.

History at its best

Churchill writes a fascinating history of his ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough, and the events and people important at the end of the Stuart royalty in England and rule of Louis XIV in France. This is such a well researched book, however long, showing many intrigues and conflicts, and the best and worst of people. Great read!

wonderfully indepth

it's a marathon to listen to, is wonderfully indepth. learned as much about europe as the man.

Superb. English language and history as towering art

The narrator of this monumental life work by Winston Spencer Churchill to illuminate and command the life of his grandfather, John Churchill, Lord Marlborough, is as perfect for the task as anyone ever could be. The writer, the First Lord of the English speaking peoples and the greatest Britain of his or any other time, enlists his unparalleled and unquenchable personal power to raise the standard and beat the drums of war at the stroke of midnight when World War II broke across the world. These four volumes were WSC’s love letter to all men, friends and foes, the clarion call and brightest torch to show the way forward to free men in the most perilous hour. Britain could not have rallied in 1940, and the Allies could not have held together and won so surely, had these volumes not been written. Winston published them in the nick of time and showered copies on all the greatest leaders, thinkers, and defenders of democracy. FDR had multiple copies. So did the ministers, the House, and the Lords of Great Britain. In an Age of towering thought and grimly determined action, Winston wrote this love letter to all of us. Read these books. Listen to a soaring narrative presentation that will leave you breathless and begging for more across 75 hours. If you thought you spoke English, if you vainly imagined you knew history, if you wondered how to pronounce 100,000 words in all important languages of the 18th Century, listen to this writer and this narrator. Listen to the rise of the epoch of free peoples everywhere. These volumes are life at the heights of reason, of love, of war, and of history. We may never see it’s like again.

Excellent and very informative.

This is a very deep look into a particular part of history that most people don’t even know ever happened. I find it fascinating that these historical figures journaled and wrote so many letters – Winston showed his typical level of exactitude in putting this book together. I’ve listened to the Lion Lion Trilogy twice and just had to listen to this one.

Awesome listen for history lovers

Winston Churchill is one of my idols and if you love his writings you will not be disappointed in this book. It is very long, I invested about 2 months of commute times and yard work to get through this audio book, but it was well worth it. Marlborough is a fascinating historical figure and I very much enjoyed learning about this very important time in England’s history, highly recommended!

truly remarkable work by Churchill

take the time and you will be rewarded. This is not a well-known history for most Americans. But it is worth reflecting upon.