CHURCHILL CONFIDENTIAL

When Churchill met with his War Cabinet from 1940 to 1945, the discussions took place behind closed doors, but secretary Norman Brook took extensive notes. These notebooks were recently declassified, and this production brings them to the public in the form of a docudrama. A group of actors presents some of the more vociferous debates and significant discussions among members of the cabinet. Introductions are by BBC journalist Charles Wheeler. David Ryall is immediately identifiable as Churchill, and Tim Pigott-Smith and David Timson contribute convincing voices to the other ministers. The oratory, of course, is not as stirring as Churchill's public speeches—these are, after all, committee meetings. But this novel production makes the listener a fly on the wall during some of the most important discussions of the war. D.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2008]