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. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Wall Street Journal • The Daily Beast • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • The Daytona Beach News-Journal • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist “Majestic . . . This book is superb. It has tremendous pace; rich detail and immense drama.â€â€”The Washington Post “Masterful . . . The collaboration completes the Churchill portrait in a seamless manner; combining the detailed research; sharp analysis and sparkling prose that readers of the first two volumes have come to expect.â€â€”Associated Press“Matches the outstanding quality of biographers such as Robert Caro and Edmund Morris; joining this elite bank of writers who devote their lives to one subject.â€â€”Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Breathtaking . . . brilliant and beautiful; evocative.â€â€”The Boston Globe “A must-read finale for those who loved Manchester’s first two books.â€â€”USA Today “The final volume is . . . majestic and inspiring.â€â€”People “One of the most thorough treatments of Churchill so far produced.â€â€”Library Journal (starred review)
#28284 in Books Random House Trade Paperbacks 2012-09-18 2012-09-18Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x 1.39 x 6.12l; 1.59 #File Name: 0345408772672 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. She WAS pretty greatBy tleeminniemePhenomenal; classic ; well written work by Massie. This tome covers Catherine the Great of Russia from childhood to death. Beautifully written; flows well. It covers all the intrigue and humanism of Catherine's reign. Highly recommend.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An impressive woman; a fascinating legacyBy TtileA thorough historical account that reads like a novel. Extremely interesting; we should all read this and other Massie books about Russia; whose history is fascinating. I am now reading Nicolas and Alexandra and enjoying every moment.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Catherine the Great exposedBy Diego ZlotogoraRobert Massie offers us the story of a German princess named Sophia who was determined to become the most important woman in Russian monarchy's history. Still a teenager; she adopted the Orthodox faith; changed her name to Catherine and married the heir of Russia's crown by that time; who happened to be another woman: Elizabeth. But this marriage was certainly not a bed of roses. Her husband Peter; German too; was more interested in playing with little soldiers than being with her. But Catherine wouldn't give up. She used that time of rejection to read and immerse herself in the ideas of Enlightment; discovering a new philosophy; art and culture that later on would turn her into one of the most respected minds in Europe.And this is just the beginning of Catherine's life in Russia. 50 more years of conquists; love affairs; wars and motherhood await her. All these facts are told in such an excellent way that you will feel; reason and think with her. Without judgements; the woman behind the titles reveals herself from several sources that the author carefully studied and helped him write one of the best biographies I've ever read.