Randolph S. Churchill (1911–1968)

The filial piety, and the chance to make a buck resulted in the beginning of this multi Volume biography. The initial volume covers WSC from his birth until his election for Oldham in 1901. There's a great air of reverence in this volume, and I would recommend the early part of the single volume biography by Martin Gilbert instead. The Companion volumes, with correspondence and biographical footnotes, are much better for the serious student.

It is a rare treat to read a fair & balanced work that attempts to allow the subject to be presented with not only good qualities but also the shortcomings of one's character. Here the youth of Churchill comes alive with his struggles to gain parental acceptance while failing to measure up to standards which remained frustratingly ambiguous, at least to Winston. Yet his struggles & strivings as a youth would shape him for a future in leading Britain through wars, political struggles & show more economic troubles. A good read for those who want to know what made Winston an incredible figure throughout the first half of the 20th century. show less

This was thick and full of what might be considered incidental information and letters. I read some and skimmed some. Churchill died the year before I was born. Seeing the written requests of school-age Churchill was fascinating. He, also, was concerned about looking and acting like his classmates. Seeing some written information from his early 20s - also fascinating. He was proud of his early accomplishments (war, raising capital, etc.).

I will move on to the next book and I hope that his show more personality is more fleshed out in future works than it was in this first one, but this first book definitely provided a look that I have never seen in Churchill's larger than life legacy. show less

Correspondence covering WSC's first phase in Parliament from his maiden speech to his ascent to the cabinet in 1906. Carefully assembled but some interesting gaps.