Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Literature, Music, Art & Entertainment => Topic started by: Steve H on September 02, 2017, 10:12:14 PM

Title: 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples', by Churchill.
Post by: Steve H on September 02, 2017, 10:12:14 PM: I've just bought this, in four volumes, for £10, in St Albans Oxfam bookshop: hardbacks, published in the late 50s and early 60s, dust-covers present and undamaged, apart from a small tear at the top of the spine of volume 3. They are an exceptionally handsome set, and I've decided to start reading them straight away. Has anyone read it? If so, what did you think of it?
My favourite story about Churchil: he was working in his study when his four-year-old grandson, also called Winston Churchill (and much later a tory M.P.) walked in. "Grandpa", said Winston junior, "Is it true that you're the greatest man in the world?" Churchill replied "Yes, it is. Now bugger off."
Title: Re: 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples', by Churchill.
Post by: Anchorman on September 02, 2017, 10:19:05 PM: I remember the great AJP Taylor, when asked for a comment, said
"Bookworm fodder. Dust is useful to fertilise the roses."
Title: Re: 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples', by Churchill.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on September 04, 2017, 12:11:08 PM: I remember getting the set of paperback books which were tie ins with a BBC dramatisation. Not sure which was worse but neither highly thought of.
Title: Re: 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples', by Churchill.
Post by: jeremyp on September 09, 2017, 02:59:44 PM: I've read volume 1. Highly entertaining.
Title: Re: 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples', by Churchill.
Post by: Rhiannon on September 09, 2017, 06:08:18 PM: They used this as a starting point for the radio series This Sceptred Isle, narrated by Anna Massey and Paul Eddington. Used to have it on cassette - this may be what Vlad is referring to but I found it absolutely fab listening for a rainy afternoon.
Title: Re: 'A History of the English Speaking Peoples', by Churchill.
Post by: Walt Zingmatilder on September 10, 2017, 12:38:42 AM: Quote from: Rhiannon on September 09, 2017, 06:08:18 PM
They used this as a starting point for the radio series This Sceptred Isle, narrated by Anna Massey and Paul Eddington. Used to have it on cassette - this may be what Vlad is referring to but I found it absolutely fab listening for a rainy afternoon.
I understand This sceptred Isle was held in high regard. The version I am talking about was a BBC Television series of 1975 called Churchill's People.