Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill Paperback – Illustrated, October 25, 2016

Fascinating story about the remarkable woman whom was right beside and supporting her husband who was one of the greatest diplomats of all time. Just like Eleanor Roosevelt she was one of the 1st liberated driving personalities of the womens movement and was a highly respected force to be reckoned with! In this book we learn many behind the scenes tidbits and gossip behind this extra ordinarily powerful and influential couples private lives. Without giving away too much I can also report that this story gives new meanings to the sayings "kissing cousins " and "feeling out your allies!" It is a must read for Churchill enthusiasts as well as anyone who admires strong and independent women. Well written and highly informative.

This was an interesting read but you should be aware this really is in a big way a story of both Clementine and Winston Churchill. It would be difficult to separate them given how they were intertwined in both their personal lives but also Winston's professional career. I have the utmost respect for Winston Churchill and his leadership during WWII and feel strongly had he not been PM the outcome would have been very different. However you cannot ignore the fact that Winston grew up in a very dysfunctional family, Clementine grew up in a very dysfunctional family, together they had a very dysfunctional marriage/life, they raised dysfunctional children who went on to be for the most part dysfunctional adults. He constantly put his feet in his mouth and she was constantly trying to take them out. I think this books shows how she was the behind the scenes person always trying to "fix" the damage or open future doors. The chaos in this couple was exhausting and I can see why Clementine was constantly traveling without him - he was draining.Two walk away thoughts.....I have read numerous book on Winston and this book in my mind made his relationship with FDR the least agreeable than what I've read in the past. Secondly Clementine tried to present herself as a person of the down trodden and made efforts to support women in the work force etc. This is clearly true during WWI when she supported various canteens and women groups and also during WWII doing a number of philanthropic activities. However, despite the fact the Churchill's were in financial straights on a somewhat regular basis (part of the dysfunction) they lived a well heeled life. To try and say otherwise would ignore the facts. They lived in many houses and their rich friends were constantly bailing them out and providing them with money and homes. They were constantly traveling to the south of France and other exclusive vacation spots (skiing in the alps, living at the beach, staying on yachts, etc.). The days of Clementine sewing her own clothes was long gone as she always dressed to the hilt. They threw exclusive dinner parties and presented elaborate meals even during the years of rationing. They rubbed elbows with the royals (including the king and future queen) and other notable wealthy people of the times. They had a cadre of servants to support their live styles and seemed to go through staff like water due to the intensity of personalities. Yes, some of their homes were houses provided due to Winston's positions (10 Downing and others) and the author points out that some of the parties especially during WWII was a part of their efforts to smooze key political and military leaders. However, this was not a couple/family living an austere life! I enjoyed this book and how it gave me insight into their relationship but also insight into Clementine the individual.

This book goes into so much detail about Clementine and Winston, their children and family circumstances while sharing rich detail about WW 1 and WW 2 and beyond. This author is expert at researching and sharing facts and opinions of contemporaries who lived alongside Clementine and Winston.

I thoroughly enjoyed Clementine. I was an 8 year old at the time of WWII and remember in great detail the time. It had such A great impact on me then and still today! I recommend this book to all. If we don’t know the trials and tribulations of the past we could be doomed to repeat them! Read it, you’ll be glad you did!

I had read the book by Mary Soames, Clementine Churchill, first and thought it a beautifully written book.It was a bit longer. The author, daughter of Sir Winston and Clementine presented the story of her parents love for each other and duty to the nation through many of their correspondences connecting the letters with their life story. I thought she treated all aspects of their lives with great accuracy and with great care.I have read many books written by those who knew both. Ms.Purnell had a daunting task to cover so much in fewer pages. After all they both lived to 90 and 92. She wrote an informative book and researched it well, but to me it did not equal the one written by Mary Soames.

As (if you read it you will learn) WOW, as Clementine herself might have said. I am up late at night, having just finished this book, in less than a week of reading. It is a wonderfully drawn, instantly engaging portrait of a most amazing woman, until now woefully left out of the heroic tellings of how WW II was won. Quite bluntly, it seems very clear that without her, and her dauntless devotion, wisdom, and own period efforts, it may very well have gone the other way. Don't take it from me, read it yourself. You'll be bowled over by this portrait, of a woman, and a marriage, influential beyond belief in their times; without whom, we might indeed, have a very different world. I am pretty picky about biographies, they are often to light and fluffy, or too deep and stuffy. This one is easy to get lost in right away, it actually kept me up at night. I'm inspired by Clementine, and efforts of other women of her time, this is a long overdue, but very welcome tribute, which by no means overlooks her many flaws. I can not decide wether to pass it on, or read it again, right away.