Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill

This was an interesting biography of Clementine Churchill that revealed the significant role she played in British politics, albeit largely behind the scenes. Clementine didn’t aspire to politics, but after marrying Winston, a consummate career politician, she found herself supporting his endeavors in ways large and small. Clementine helped campaign for his parliament seat, critiqued his speeches, spoke freely at dinners and other engagements, and routinely offered advice on Winston’s conduct, especially around thorny issues.

While Clementine was a formidable partner in Winston’s career, the couple was less successful in raising a family. This was perhaps due to a lack of role models and dysfunctional upbringing, but I still found show more this aspect of their lives shocking and sad. Their three older Churchill children were largely neglected by their parents, and led very difficult and traumatic adult lives. After the tragic loss of their then-youngest child, the couple seems to have wised up. Their next (and last) child benefited from the care of a loving nanny/guardian almost up to adulthood.

Sonia Purnell portrays both Winston and Clementine as the flawed human beings they undoubtedly were, providing a more in-depth portrait than commonly found in the history books. This book lacked the spark and excitement of Purnell’s A Woman of No Importance, but I appreciate her commitment to bringing women’s role in history to the forefront. show less

Having recently read 'The Splendid and the Vile,' the story of Churchill's first year as Prime Minister, I found this book, and thought it might be interesting to learn a little more about his wife, Clementine. I thought the book was very well written. The story of Clementine Churchill is not necessarily a happy one, but it is interesting. Born into a dysfunctional family (even her paternity is in question), she turned down 2 marriage proposals before accepting one from Winston. Theirs was a very traditional marriage in one respect - she sublimated her needs for his. On the other hand, he often included her in his political life, and at times she served as his representative, and not just as a hostess. They seemed to exist better apart, show more and they generally lived separate lives punctuated by brief periods of togetherness. An exception to this rule seems to be during his first time as Prime Minister, during WWII, when they were together far more. Clementine seems to have understood, to some degree, what she was getting herself into with a man like Churchill, but that doesn't mean that their marriage was an easy one. It was fraught with conflict and heated disagreements. Churchill seems to define the word 'chauvinist,' and it must have taken quite a bit of effort not to leave him. Clementine responds by taking frequent holidays by herself to refresh and restore. Unfortunately, she is portrayed as a pretty terrible mother. All of her children, save the youngest, Mary, had difficulties with their own spouses and drank heavily. After Churchill's death, Clementine went on to live another 12 years, and it seems from the epilogue, that these were the most peaceful of her life. Given all of that, I will say that we all owe her a debt of gratitude for her contribution when the world was teetering on the precipice of hell. show less

I've read other books and articles about Clementine Churchill but never one as comprehensive as this. The author reveals Clementine's complexity and the depth of her influence on her husband in a way nothing else I've read has. Clementine had her shortcomings as we all do, but she was nonetheless an amazing woman who has been largely forgotten.

Clementine Churchill (1885 – 1977) didn’t have the traditional childhood that would be expected of the wife of one of the most important men of the twentieth century. Her mother and father, having both been involved in extramarital affairs, decided to separate rather than divorce when Clementine was young. Although her mother was the daughter of an Earl she and the children moved frequently, show more usually living in depravation.

Undoubtedly her unconventional upbringing caused Clementine to have a different outlook than her peers. When she met Winston Churchill at a dinner party he was surprised and impressed when she ably took part in the political discussions at the table. Four years later they were married.

Although she had five children, Clementine was not maternal and generally handed her children over to nannies. It was her self-absorbed husband and his work that received her devotion. She had an astonishing level of involvement in his work, essentially serving as his most trusted aide. She read and improved his speeches and even routinely advised him on policy.

In her own right Clementine, unlike her husband, had a genuine interest in common people and unofficially served as the face of government to them particularly during the wars. Her interest in their welfare earned respect and admiration and she would sometimes be applauded as she walked down the street.

A fascinating life and a fascinating book that appears to rest throughly on careful research. show less

Another strong woman whose historic contributions come into balance after this good read.

The perseverance of Winston, Clemontine, and the British people as a whole as they awaited the entry of the United States of America into the war against tyranny was so well narrated.
My historic perspective of this much written about era and these two giant figures has been tweaked and twisted with my thirst quenched for the time
but not yet wholly satiated.

I do not believe I am speaking out of turn when I say that the author's stated goal in writing this book was for Clementine Churchill to be given her time out of Winston Churchill's shadow. I guess she accomplished that but this is what I learned about Clementine from reading this book: she was a martyr who relished the role as such and that she was a horrific mother. Winston has the reputation of being a lion of a leader but this book portrays him as being demanding and self-centered while at the same time being unable to function without his wife. The fact that the pair of them were willing to whore out one daughter and their only daughter-in-law to American men they thought could help secure American backing for the British war show more effort was all I really needed to know. This book was overly long because it was needlessly repetitious: Winston does whatever he wants putting his family's well-being in peril, Clementine frets but does little to solve the problem, rinse and repeat. I was most happy to say cheerio to all of the people in this book and ta-ta to Clementine Churchill. show less

The story of Clementine is the story of Winston Churchill and of Britain.

Clementine lived an upper class, but rather unconventional childhood, with a mother known for her many lovers and Clementine's paternity somewhat in doubt. She married Winston Churchill in 1908. He was already a well known political icon, ten years her senior.

The subtitle of the book :”The Life of Mrs Winston Churchill” is most apt. Clementine Churchill stayed in the background of Winston's political career. Clementine made her opinions known to Winston (they argued over women's suffrage in the early years, a proposal that Winston vehemently opposed.) Unlike her contemporary and counterpart Eleanor Roosevelt, Clementine was the helpmate, furthering politcal show more ties for Winston with social events, and often offering the wisdom of empathy, which Winston seemed to lack. She engaged in helping in the homefront in both World Wars as well as spearheading help for an impoverished Russia before the iron curtain slammed down.

She was a complicated person. As Winston wrestled his Black Dog of depression, Clementine also wrestled at times with 'nervous conditions'. A loving mother, she often was away from her children for quite extended amounts of time until a family tragedy jolted her back to motherhood.

I learned a lot about Clementine's life and the life of British upper class at the time. I learned more about Winston Churchill and British history. A worthwhile read. show less

Jij bent mijn rots in de branding.' Winston aan Clementine, 15 maart 1925 Zonder het daadkrachtige leiderschap van Winston Churchill was de Tweede Wereldoorlog wellicht anders verlopen. Zonder de niet-aflatende steun van zijn vrouw Clementine was Winston misschien nooit premier geworden. Wie was deze 'Clemmie', die meer invloed had op de Britse politiek dan welke premiersvrouw voor of na haar dan ook? Deze biografie is het opmerkelijke levensverhaal van een getalenteerde vrouw, die niet alleen de kunst verstond zich staande te houden naast een complexe echtgenoot, maar die ook nauw betrokken was bij beslissende momenten in de wereldgeschiedenis. (