The Churchills
A Family Portrait
Published on 11. February 2010
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-230-61810-7 (ISBN)
Description
Winston Churchill is possibly the most famous British leader, but a shroud of mystery still surrounds the Churchill clan. Myths propigated both by Wintson's political enemies as well as the family members themselves, persist to this day. Here, for the first time, authors John and Celia Lee cut through the rumors and lies and get to the truth about the life of the former Prime Minister and his relationship with his family. Through their unique access to the private papers of the Churchill family, the Lees have made some incredbile and surprising new discoveries, including: - Winston's mother systematically robbed both her sons of their rightful inheritance - Winston's bestselling autobiography, My Early Life is a carefully crafted myth that has colored every subsequent book about him - Lord Randolph did not die of syphilis; this was a political slur - Winston was not an illegitimate child, as many have claimed; he was just premature at birth - Winston was sustained through life by a loving and resilient brother, who had just as promising career in the military before having to give it up for the sake of his family's financial security
Reviews / Votes
'The Lees have succeeded in providing a clear insight into the family life of Winston and his brother Jack, whilst shedding new light on the important relationship with their parents, Randolph and Jennie. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Churchills.'--Randolph L. S. Churchill 'Celia and John Lee, in a book that is determined to give the invisible Churchill his due!succeed in returning Jack to his proper place in the story of the family.' The Sunday Times 'By their careful re-reading of the known letters between the principal characters, and the blending in of new material from Peregrine Churchill's archive, Celia and John Lee add enormously to our understanding of the great Churchill family.'--Allen Packwood, Director, Churchill Archives Centre, University of Cambridge 'Prepare to have almost everything you thought you knew about Winston Churchill's upbringing completely revised.' - The Mail on Sunday 'A fascinating new book by Celia and John Lee, who were granted unique access to the private papers of Winston's nephew, Peregrine Churchill, is set to challenge common misunderstandings about the family dynamic. The Lees have done Churchillian history a great service with their diligence, throwing light on a part of the story that has not hitherto been fully understood.'--Andrew Roberts, author of Masters and Commanders and The Storm of War 'This book brings Winston's brother Jack into the picture as no previous work and is a valuable contribution to our knowledge.'--Richard M. Langworth CBE, Editor, Finest Hour, The Churchill Centre 'Well-written, engaging, and affecting. Not all siblings love each other and it speaks well of Jack and Winston that they did all their lives.'--Michael McMenamin, author of Becoming Winston Churchill '...intriguing revelations...' Evening Standard '...a fascinating new book...' Daily Express '!it is no slight achievement to have contributed a fresh insight into the life of such a well-documented family.' TLS '...It is vital that historians present history in its period, not adding a contemporary gloss. This is something that Celia [Lee] achieves superbly...' - The Belfast TelegraphMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Basingstoke
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
458 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-230-61810-7 (9780230618107)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
CELIA LEE is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Centre for First World War Studies at Birmingham University, UK, and a member of the BCMh, the WFA, the Gallipoli Association and the International Churchill Society. They live in London. JOHN LEE was an executive officer of the British Commission for Military History. He is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Centre for First World War Studies at Birmingham University, UK, and a member of the International Churchill Society. He is well known in these military history circles as a writer, lecturer and battlefield tour guide.
Content
Introduction Love at First Sight (1873-1876) An Irish 'Exile' 1876-1880 A Political Star is Born 1880-1882 A Sea of Troubles 1882-1885 A Shooting Star Burns Out 1885-1886 A Happy Family Again? 1887-1889 Looking for Gold 1890-1892 One 'Handful'; One Model Child 1892-1893 Settling the Boys' Future 1893-1894 The Last Journey 1894-1895 A Royal Affair: Jennie and the Prince of Wales Financial Worries and Career Development 1895-1897 Financial Crisis and a Career Denied 1898-1899 Brothers in Arms: War in South Africa 1899-1900 Getting On 1900-1906 Two Brides for Two Brothers 1907-1908 Liberal Britain 1909-1914 A World at War: From the Western Front to Gallipoli 1914-1915 Seeing it Through 1916-1918 Post War Britain 1919-1929 From the Wilderness to Downing Street 1929-1940 Their Finest Hour 1940-1945 The End if it All 1945-1965 Notes Sources and Bibliography Annotated Index