I recently read this paperback book and thought it was fantastically interesting.
We all think we know as much as we need to about the wonderful Winston Churchill, but this is a fascinating review of 20th century history, and I hadn't known the following points I learned in this book:
We think of WC mostly as a WW2 leader of the British, but I hadn't known he was previously a very distinguished wartime soldier. First in the Boer war, later in WW1, where under fire he was constantly in danger of death, and wrote, "Our death is simply an event, and not necessarily the most important one in our lives."
I also tended to think of aristocracy as having been an issue of the 19th century, but was (sort of) surprised to learn that so many people in Churchill's circle, including friends and military officers (and the Churchills themselves!) were actually members of the aristocracy.
Churchill was personally acquainted with so many historical figures: Coco Chanel, Virginia Wolf, Ike, Montgomery, FDR, Harry Hopkins, Ari Onassis, Grace Kelly, etc, etc, etc.\
My main reason for reading this book was to discover whether it's true that FDR and Hopkins were "pro" "Uncle Joe" and the communists.
The book was compiled by Mary Soames, sole surviving child of the Churchill's, and she obviously wanted to steer clear of any politics that would alienate an American audience. However, it's certainly true that WC despised Communists and the USSR, wasn't too impressed by Harry Hopkins, etc.
I had read that WC was more in favor of an attach on the Nazis from the south, but I hadn't known that Churchill was embarassed by his disastrous support of the ill-fated allied invasion toward Constantinople in WW1, nor that the British had been repulsed from the Greek Dodecanese during 1943. (Success their would have kept the USSR out of Eastern Europe!)
So all in all, the issue is a wash. Churchill grew old in Eisenhower's time, and died, in sad old age, at the age of 91, in 1965. "Clemmie" was a decade younger, and died at about the same age.
So for anyone interested, as I am, in 20th century history will certainly want to read this tremendous book.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
This item: Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills
$22.20
Get it Nov 7 - 13
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
$22.74
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Nov 6
Only 3 left in stock (more on the way).
+
$10.79
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Nov 6
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Speaking for themselves: The personal letters of Winston and Clementine ChurchillWinston & Clementine Churchill ChurchillHardcover
About the author
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
James McGrory
The Great (and also Good)!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2015