Winston Churchill.

John Keegan. 2002. Read by Richard Matthews. 4-1.5 hour tapes. Books on Tape. 0-7366-8754-8. $40.00. Vinyl; content notes. SA

Winston Churchill was one of the outstanding political leaders of the 20th century. In this audiobook listeners will learn a great deal more about him than is found in conventional textbooks. He was a superb orator, an excellent writer, and a recreational painter as well as soldier, journalist, and politician. With an emphasis on the positive, Keegan traces Churchill's life, beginning with his family background and ending with his death in 1964. Much attention is given to his role as Prime Minister in WW II and his hatred of communism in the Cold War era.

As the text is liberally sprinkled with quotes from Sir Winston's speeches, Matthews is an excellent choice for reader. He has the requisite pristine British accent needed to carry the text through an unvoiced presentation. He adds a dramatic note when he reads a quote from one of Churchill's speeches. He switches to the deep, sonorous tones familiar to all English-speaking peoples in the 1940s. An excellent introduction to the life of Winston Churchill. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.