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When Lions Roar: The Churchills and the Kennedys
The first comprehensive history of the deeply entwined personal and public lives of the Churchills and the Kennedys and what their “special relationship” meant for Great Britain and the United States
When Lions Roar begins in the mid-1930s at Chartwell, Winston Churchill's country estate, with new revelations surrounding a secret business deal orchestrated by Joseph P. Kennedy, the soon-to-be American ambassador to Great Britain and the father of future American president John F. Kennedy. From London to America, these two powerful families shared an ever-widening circle of friends, lovers, and political associates – soon shattered by World War II, spying, sexual infidelity, and the tragic deaths of JFK's sister Kathleen and his older brother Joe Jr. By the 1960s and JFK's presidency, the Churchills and the Kennedys had overcome their bitter differences and helped to define the “greatness” in each other.
Acclaimed biographer Thomas Maier tells this dynastic saga through fathers and their sons – and the remarkable women in their lives – providing keen insight into the Churchill and Kennedy families and the profound forces of duty, loyalty, courage and ambition that shaped them. He explores the seismic impact of Winston Churchill on JFK and American policy, wrestling anew with the legacy of two titans of the twentieth century. Maier also delves deeply into the conflicted bond between Winston and his son, Randolph, and the contrasting example of patriarch Joe Kennedy, a failed politician who successfully channeled his personal ambitions to his children. By approaching these iconic figures from a new perspective, Maier not only illuminates the intricacies of this all-important cross-Atlantic allegiance but also enriches our understanding of the tumultuous time in which they lived and the world events they so greatly influenced.
With deeply human portraits of these flawed but larger-than-life figures, When Lions Roar explores the “special relationship” between the Churchills and Kennedys, and between Great Britain and the United States, highlighting all of its emotional complexity and historic significance.
When Lions Roar begins in the mid-1930s at Chartwell, Winston Churchill's country estate, with new revelations surrounding a secret business deal orchestrated by Joseph P. Kennedy, the soon-to-be American ambassador to Great Britain and the father of future American president John F. Kennedy. From London to America, these two powerful families shared an ever-widening circle of friends, lovers, and political associates – soon shattered by World War II, spying, sexual infidelity, and the tragic deaths of JFK's sister Kathleen and his older brother Joe Jr. By the 1960s and JFK's presidency, the Churchills and the Kennedys had overcome their bitter differences and helped to define the “greatness” in each other.
Acclaimed biographer Thomas Maier tells this dynastic saga through fathers and their sons – and the remarkable women in their lives – providing keen insight into the Churchill and Kennedy families and the profound forces of duty, loyalty, courage and ambition that shaped them. He explores the seismic impact of Winston Churchill on JFK and American policy, wrestling anew with the legacy of two titans of the twentieth century. Maier also delves deeply into the conflicted bond between Winston and his son, Randolph, and the contrasting example of patriarch Joe Kennedy, a failed politician who successfully channeled his personal ambitions to his children. By approaching these iconic figures from a new perspective, Maier not only illuminates the intricacies of this all-important cross-Atlantic allegiance but also enriches our understanding of the tumultuous time in which they lived and the world events they so greatly influenced.
With deeply human portraits of these flawed but larger-than-life figures, When Lions Roar explores the “special relationship” between the Churchills and Kennedys, and between Great Britain and the United States, highlighting all of its emotional complexity and historic significance.
784 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2014
About the author
Thomas Maier
33 books45 followersThomas Maier is the author of "MAFIA SPIES", the non-fiction spy thriller/murder mystery of how the CIA recruited two American mobsters to kill Cuban leader Fidel Castro during the Cold War, with themes very timely to today's Trump era. In a starred review, Booklist called MAFIA SPIES "enormously fun...succeeds brilliantly." Maier's previous 2014 book "WHEN LIONS ROAR: The Churchills and the Kennedys," published by Random House's Crown imprint. He is also the author and a producer of "MASTERS OF SEX", the Showtime series based on his book of the same name, which tells the story of researchers Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson. His other books include: "The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings, which was adapted for Warner Home Video DVD, and the critically acclaimed Dr. Spock: An American Life, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year in 1999. His 1994 "Newhouse: All The Glitter, Power and Glory of America's Richest Media Empire And the Secretive Man Behind It", is currently being developed by Sony Pictures Television. Maier is a special writer at Newsday and won numerous national awards. He lives in Long Island, New York.
www.thomasmaierbooks.com
www.thomasmaierbooks.com
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March 2, 2016
The 20th century was greatly affected by a number of prominent families, but aside from the Roosevelts, few stand out more than the Churchills and the Kennedys, and their relationship with each other. The interactions between these two families forms the core of Thomas Maier’s recent book, WHEN LIONS ROAR: THE CHURCHILLS AND THE KENNEDYS. The book explores the different dynamics that existed between the two families and the world around them, be it political, financial, personal, and too often, sexual. The result is a historical work that at times seems peppered with a bit too much gossip.
As I examined the book I wondered if the author had unearthed anything of substance. Tackling a topic that has been mined by many excellent historians, it seemed to be a difficult task. Concentrating on the relationship between fathers and sons; Winston Churchill and his son Randolph, and Joseph P. Kennedy and his sons Joe Jr. and John, the author provides a glimpse into both families and the intensity of their relationships. The most interesting facet of the book involves how both fathers had such grandiose hopes for their sons, but in both cases, the fathers were to be disappointed. Randolph spent much of his life trying to emerge from the shadow of his famous father, while remaining loyal to him. At times father and son would grow to resent each other, Winston disappointed by his somewhat alcoholic and womanizing son who would never reach the heights that were expected of him. Joseph Kennedy’s disappointment revolved around the agony of losing his eldest son Joe Jr., whose naval bomber was shot down over England. Unlike Winston, the senior Kennedy, would be rewarded when his second youngest son, John Fitzgerald would become a war hero, and successful politician who would be elected president in 1960.
Maier provides the background story of each family that has been told many times before. His biographical sketches of Winston and Joseph Sr. present nothing substantially new, but it should prove helpful for the general reader. The most important component is how the two families become dependent on each other. Maier begins in 1933 with the first meeting of Winston and Joseph Sr., as both men were allies when it came to prohibition. The senior Kennedy hoped to procure a deal to acquire the distribution rights for English gin and other liquors in the United States as prohibition was coming to an end. Kennedy would use his close relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s son, James as a conduit to his father and a budding relationship with Churchill to achieve his goals. Kennedy achieved an economic coup as he set up a company called Somerset importers and landed the contract to distribute Dewar’s scotch, Gordon’s gin and other important liquors. Maier reviews the instability of Churchill’s income in comparison to Kennedy, particularly when he was out of power. Churchill had to rely on his writing and the “gifts” of rich friends to survive a lifestyle he could not afford. One wonders if the future Prime Minister benefited in any way from the future Ambassador to the United Kingdom. For a wonderful discussion of Churchill’s finances see the new book NO MORE CHAMPAGNE: CHURCHILL AND HIS MONEY by David Lough.
Maier examines the different responses taken by both families to the rise of Adolph Hitler to power in Germany. Both Churchill and Kennedy offspring follow the leads of their fathers. Randolph would mimic his father’s preparedness views and the fear that war with the Nazis was inevitable. Joseph Jr., then a student at the London School of Economics conformed to his father’s views about the Nazis, even expressing a certain amount of anti-Semitism. John F. didn’t toe the line as much as his elder brother and more and more he came around to Churchill’s viewpoint. A tendentious problem developed between the fathers as how to approach the militarization and expansion of Nazi Germany. Once the war broke out and both men were in positions of power, the diplomatic rift between the two was exposed as Kennedy seemed to rely on Charles Lindbergh’s opinion of the Nazis, and his own fears of war and how it could affect his son’s futures. Kennedy’s overt support for appeasement throughout his stay in London created a great deal of tension between the two men. Churchill was careful of not pushing Kennedy too far because he realized how dependent he was on the creation of a “special relationship” with the United States, especially after the Nazi seizure of Holland, Belgium, and France in 1940. Behind the scenes we are told the story of how FDR manipulated both men and how the president could no longer tolerate an ambassador who was undermining his foreign policy, a story that Michael Bechloss has told very effectively in his book, KENNEDY AND ROOSEVELT.
The one major criticism of the book I would raise is the amount of racy information Maier either states or suggests. The reader is presented with a series of love triangles, affairs, and the sexual needs of the different characters that appear in the narrative. Randolph Churchill’s wife Pamela is involved with FDR’s personal liaison to Churchill and later Ambassador to the Soviet Union Averell Harriman, Edward R. Morrow of CBS news, among a number of prominent historical figures. The affairs of Clare Booth, writer, politician and future husband of Time magazine magnate, Henry Luce, with Joseph P. Kennedy, Randolph Churchill, the American financier Bernard Baruch and numerous others is over the top. In addition, Sarah Churchill’s relationship with Joseph Kennedy’s replacement as ambassador to the United Kingdom, John G. Winant, and of course Maier cannot leave out the dalliances of John F. Kennedy and after a while, I wondered what purpose this information plays, if not just to spice up a historical narrative that should stand on its own merits.
To his credit Maier distills a number of situations that have remained obscure over the years. Perhaps the most interesting is that of Tyler Kent, a code clerk in the American Embassy in London under Kennedy’s ambassadorship. Kent was stealing documents and funneling them to a right wing group in England, conservative pro-Nazi politicians, and the Nazi government. Documents included sensitive communications between Churchill and Roosevelt among others. Scotland Yard and MI5 surveilled Kent and Kennedy for over seven months. Once Kent was arrested, Maier, quite accurately describes Kennedy as an inept administrator who worried more about how things affected the “Kennedy Brand” as opposed to the damage the fiasco caused the war effort. Kennedy would emerge totally discredited, which reinforced FDR’s negative view of him. Another tidbit that Maier explores is that of Churchill’s health that resulted in two heart attacks and the belief that his son Randolph who surprisingly exhibited tremendous courage despite his reputation needed to be kept in a safe area as not to overly stress his father, since the Prime Minister was a key to holding out against the Nazis until victory.
Maier does a competent job tracing the rise of Jack Kennedy from his election to Congress in 1946 to the presidency fueled by the wealth of his father. Kennedy Sr. lived vicariously through his second son as he wanted him to gain the respect and success he could never attain. Though there is nothing new in his discussion of Jack Kennedy’s rise to power, Maier does bring to the fore Churchill’s adamant position visa vie the Soviet Union following the war. After giving his “Iron Curtain Speech” in Fulton, MO delineating the Soviet threat he would follow up by advocating the use of the atomic bomb against the Russians, taking advantage of the nuclear option before the Soviets developed their own which he was convinced they would employ. Using little known FBI records, Churchill urged Senator Styles Bridges of New Hampshire, “that if and atomic bomb could be dropped on the Kremlin wiping it out, it would be an easy problem to handle the balance of Russia, which would be without direction.” (433)
Maier provides the reader with interesting portraits of a number of important historical figures. Chief among them was Max Aiken, or Lord Beaverbrook, a close friend and companion of Churchill, and the senior Kennedy, who at times professed his own agenda. Other portraits include; Clementine Churchill, the spouse of the Prime Minister, as well as Rose Kennedy. The English writer Evelyn Waugh, the financier and FDR confidant, Bernard Baruch, Clare Booth Luce, Kay Halle, a beautiful Cleveland journalist who worked with William Donovan at the OSS and at one time was the paramour of Randolph Churchill, George Gershwin, Averell Harriman, the columnist, Walter Lipmann, and Robert F. Kennedy, among others. FDR and his advisors, particularly Harry Hopkins are portrayed fairly, as are certain important members of the British parliament. Overall, Maier’s portrayals captures numerous individuals, and the author is even handed in his approach as he presents his breezy narrative.
Maier’s writing is easy to follow and each component of his story seems to flow into the next in a pattern that maintains the reader’s interest. His story is carried into the 21st century following the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, as Maier repeatedly seems to conjecture as to what might have been. Whatever the case, Maier’s work is quite appealing and should interest those who have questions about two remarkable political dynasties.
As I examined the book I wondered if the author had unearthed anything of substance. Tackling a topic that has been mined by many excellent historians, it seemed to be a difficult task. Concentrating on the relationship between fathers and sons; Winston Churchill and his son Randolph, and Joseph P. Kennedy and his sons Joe Jr. and John, the author provides a glimpse into both families and the intensity of their relationships. The most interesting facet of the book involves how both fathers had such grandiose hopes for their sons, but in both cases, the fathers were to be disappointed. Randolph spent much of his life trying to emerge from the shadow of his famous father, while remaining loyal to him. At times father and son would grow to resent each other, Winston disappointed by his somewhat alcoholic and womanizing son who would never reach the heights that were expected of him. Joseph Kennedy’s disappointment revolved around the agony of losing his eldest son Joe Jr., whose naval bomber was shot down over England. Unlike Winston, the senior Kennedy, would be rewarded when his second youngest son, John Fitzgerald would become a war hero, and successful politician who would be elected president in 1960.
Maier provides the background story of each family that has been told many times before. His biographical sketches of Winston and Joseph Sr. present nothing substantially new, but it should prove helpful for the general reader. The most important component is how the two families become dependent on each other. Maier begins in 1933 with the first meeting of Winston and Joseph Sr., as both men were allies when it came to prohibition. The senior Kennedy hoped to procure a deal to acquire the distribution rights for English gin and other liquors in the United States as prohibition was coming to an end. Kennedy would use his close relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt’s son, James as a conduit to his father and a budding relationship with Churchill to achieve his goals. Kennedy achieved an economic coup as he set up a company called Somerset importers and landed the contract to distribute Dewar’s scotch, Gordon’s gin and other important liquors. Maier reviews the instability of Churchill’s income in comparison to Kennedy, particularly when he was out of power. Churchill had to rely on his writing and the “gifts” of rich friends to survive a lifestyle he could not afford. One wonders if the future Prime Minister benefited in any way from the future Ambassador to the United Kingdom. For a wonderful discussion of Churchill’s finances see the new book NO MORE CHAMPAGNE: CHURCHILL AND HIS MONEY by David Lough.
Maier examines the different responses taken by both families to the rise of Adolph Hitler to power in Germany. Both Churchill and Kennedy offspring follow the leads of their fathers. Randolph would mimic his father’s preparedness views and the fear that war with the Nazis was inevitable. Joseph Jr., then a student at the London School of Economics conformed to his father’s views about the Nazis, even expressing a certain amount of anti-Semitism. John F. didn’t toe the line as much as his elder brother and more and more he came around to Churchill’s viewpoint. A tendentious problem developed between the fathers as how to approach the militarization and expansion of Nazi Germany. Once the war broke out and both men were in positions of power, the diplomatic rift between the two was exposed as Kennedy seemed to rely on Charles Lindbergh’s opinion of the Nazis, and his own fears of war and how it could affect his son’s futures. Kennedy’s overt support for appeasement throughout his stay in London created a great deal of tension between the two men. Churchill was careful of not pushing Kennedy too far because he realized how dependent he was on the creation of a “special relationship” with the United States, especially after the Nazi seizure of Holland, Belgium, and France in 1940. Behind the scenes we are told the story of how FDR manipulated both men and how the president could no longer tolerate an ambassador who was undermining his foreign policy, a story that Michael Bechloss has told very effectively in his book, KENNEDY AND ROOSEVELT.
The one major criticism of the book I would raise is the amount of racy information Maier either states or suggests. The reader is presented with a series of love triangles, affairs, and the sexual needs of the different characters that appear in the narrative. Randolph Churchill’s wife Pamela is involved with FDR’s personal liaison to Churchill and later Ambassador to the Soviet Union Averell Harriman, Edward R. Morrow of CBS news, among a number of prominent historical figures. The affairs of Clare Booth, writer, politician and future husband of Time magazine magnate, Henry Luce, with Joseph P. Kennedy, Randolph Churchill, the American financier Bernard Baruch and numerous others is over the top. In addition, Sarah Churchill’s relationship with Joseph Kennedy’s replacement as ambassador to the United Kingdom, John G. Winant, and of course Maier cannot leave out the dalliances of John F. Kennedy and after a while, I wondered what purpose this information plays, if not just to spice up a historical narrative that should stand on its own merits.
To his credit Maier distills a number of situations that have remained obscure over the years. Perhaps the most interesting is that of Tyler Kent, a code clerk in the American Embassy in London under Kennedy’s ambassadorship. Kent was stealing documents and funneling them to a right wing group in England, conservative pro-Nazi politicians, and the Nazi government. Documents included sensitive communications between Churchill and Roosevelt among others. Scotland Yard and MI5 surveilled Kent and Kennedy for over seven months. Once Kent was arrested, Maier, quite accurately describes Kennedy as an inept administrator who worried more about how things affected the “Kennedy Brand” as opposed to the damage the fiasco caused the war effort. Kennedy would emerge totally discredited, which reinforced FDR’s negative view of him. Another tidbit that Maier explores is that of Churchill’s health that resulted in two heart attacks and the belief that his son Randolph who surprisingly exhibited tremendous courage despite his reputation needed to be kept in a safe area as not to overly stress his father, since the Prime Minister was a key to holding out against the Nazis until victory.
Maier does a competent job tracing the rise of Jack Kennedy from his election to Congress in 1946 to the presidency fueled by the wealth of his father. Kennedy Sr. lived vicariously through his second son as he wanted him to gain the respect and success he could never attain. Though there is nothing new in his discussion of Jack Kennedy’s rise to power, Maier does bring to the fore Churchill’s adamant position visa vie the Soviet Union following the war. After giving his “Iron Curtain Speech” in Fulton, MO delineating the Soviet threat he would follow up by advocating the use of the atomic bomb against the Russians, taking advantage of the nuclear option before the Soviets developed their own which he was convinced they would employ. Using little known FBI records, Churchill urged Senator Styles Bridges of New Hampshire, “that if and atomic bomb could be dropped on the Kremlin wiping it out, it would be an easy problem to handle the balance of Russia, which would be without direction.” (433)
Maier provides the reader with interesting portraits of a number of important historical figures. Chief among them was Max Aiken, or Lord Beaverbrook, a close friend and companion of Churchill, and the senior Kennedy, who at times professed his own agenda. Other portraits include; Clementine Churchill, the spouse of the Prime Minister, as well as Rose Kennedy. The English writer Evelyn Waugh, the financier and FDR confidant, Bernard Baruch, Clare Booth Luce, Kay Halle, a beautiful Cleveland journalist who worked with William Donovan at the OSS and at one time was the paramour of Randolph Churchill, George Gershwin, Averell Harriman, the columnist, Walter Lipmann, and Robert F. Kennedy, among others. FDR and his advisors, particularly Harry Hopkins are portrayed fairly, as are certain important members of the British parliament. Overall, Maier’s portrayals captures numerous individuals, and the author is even handed in his approach as he presents his breezy narrative.
Maier’s writing is easy to follow and each component of his story seems to flow into the next in a pattern that maintains the reader’s interest. His story is carried into the 21st century following the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, as Maier repeatedly seems to conjecture as to what might have been. Whatever the case, Maier’s work is quite appealing and should interest those who have questions about two remarkable political dynasties.
May 13, 2015
***I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads Giveaway***
First off, and this has nothing to do with my opinion of the book itself, I have to give praise to the publisher for sending me a replacement copy. Initially, the book I won in the giveaway was stolen from my front door. I emailed Crown Publishing to ask what I could do to get another copy and even though they had no obligation to do so, they sent me another one. I really appreciate that and think that's the sort of little thing that makes a business great.
Now, for the actual book. It was a really pleasant and entertaining read. It's obviously well researched and balanced, but I wish that it actually had references in the chapters. There were certain topics I loved reading a little about but would have appreciated the chance to find further information (for example, Jackie Kennedy's marriage to Aristotle Onassis...can't say I know much about that relationship or people's response to it). In a similar vein, I think the book would be improved with the use of pictures. There's a lot of characters between these two families and all their friends. Pictures would help color that in the readers' minds.
Those are just structural complaints, though. The actual reading of the book was smooth and fun. It's history, but told in a very approachable way with lots of little anecdotes and jokes along the way. I would recommend this to friends who like to read modern history.
edit: I was recently made aware that there are several pictures to be present in the published version of the book that were not present in the advanced galley copy that I have. So please ignore my comments above regarding that.
First off, and this has nothing to do with my opinion of the book itself, I have to give praise to the publisher for sending me a replacement copy. Initially, the book I won in the giveaway was stolen from my front door. I emailed Crown Publishing to ask what I could do to get another copy and even though they had no obligation to do so, they sent me another one. I really appreciate that and think that's the sort of little thing that makes a business great.
Now, for the actual book. It was a really pleasant and entertaining read. It's obviously well researched and balanced, but I wish that it actually had references in the chapters. There were certain topics I loved reading a little about but would have appreciated the chance to find further information (for example, Jackie Kennedy's marriage to Aristotle Onassis...can't say I know much about that relationship or people's response to it). In a similar vein, I think the book would be improved with the use of pictures. There's a lot of characters between these two families and all their friends. Pictures would help color that in the readers' minds.
Those are just structural complaints, though. The actual reading of the book was smooth and fun. It's history, but told in a very approachable way with lots of little anecdotes and jokes along the way. I would recommend this to friends who like to read modern history.
edit: I was recently made aware that there are several pictures to be present in the published version of the book that were not present in the advanced galley copy that I have. So please ignore my comments above regarding that.
May 6, 2019
4.25 stars
September 25, 2017
Lots of behind the scenes details from two of the last century's prominent family. Slow reading but worth it.
January 27, 2018
When Lions Roar examines the personal relationships of those inhabiting the highly overlapping social circles of the Churchill and Kennedy families. The book focuses on these individuals' business, family, and, especially, sexual connections. Accordingly, while written in a scholarly manner, substantively, the book often reminds one more of a celebrity magazine than a work of history.
November 19, 2014
This massive tome is a dual biography of the Britain’s Churchill family and America’s Kennedy family. I will say I was skeptical at first about the premise of this work, but once I started reading I knew why it was possible. First, both families filled multiple political positions during the twentieth century. Second, the Churchills and the Kennedys first met just before World War II when Joseph Kennedy, Senior, was the American Ambassador to England. Third, there are many parallels between the two families, including but not limited to high political aspirations for the eldest son; troublesome daughters; marriages between Americans and British subjects; grandchildren whom the patriarchs hoped would also follow their footsteps; etc. Fourth, the had many friends, such as Lord Beaverbrook, in common. Fifth, during World War II and after, Kathleen Kennedy and Winston Churchill’s daughter-in-law, Pamela, were best friends.
This well-researched book covers a vast amount of material. Throughout it incorporates archival material, especially letters, to provide the thoughts through the individual’s own words. The book opens with following the early lives of Winston Churchill and Joseph Kennedy, Senior. Then it goes on to discuss their careers and rise into politics, including Churchill’s role in World War I and Kennedy’s support of Franklin Roosevelt. Then the book begins to focus equally on them and their children, mainly Randolph Churchill, the three oldest Kennedy boys, and Kathleen Kennedy. Both placed high hopes on political careers for their eldest. The bulk of the book covers the years directly before, during, and after World War II. During this time, Churchill and Kennedy’s opposing views of the pending war are discussed; we see how the two men worked together early in the war, and how Roosevelt frequently circumnavigated Kennedy; their hopes and fears for their children; and learn what their children did during the war years. Then the book goes on to follow the patriarchs through their final years and their children’s careers.
Despite how I found this tome interesting, there were a few flaws. First, almost every chapter starts out with an event or situation then it jumps back in time and covers what leads to that. I found this distracting and felt it disrupted the flow of reading. Second, some chapters, especially early on, would tell the whole story from one family’s view with the next chapter from the opposite family but this was not clearly labeled. Sometimes it took reading several pages into the chapter to realize the backtrack in time. Third, the photo section could have been better. There were times a specific photo was mentioned in the text that were not included in the insert. Also, the section heavily favorite the Kennedys.
In all, an interesting book but I think it is better suited for research over casual reading.
This is a shortened version of the review that appeared on my blog. For the full version, please go to . I considered the review too long to repost in full.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
This well-researched book covers a vast amount of material. Throughout it incorporates archival material, especially letters, to provide the thoughts through the individual’s own words. The book opens with following the early lives of Winston Churchill and Joseph Kennedy, Senior. Then it goes on to discuss their careers and rise into politics, including Churchill’s role in World War I and Kennedy’s support of Franklin Roosevelt. Then the book begins to focus equally on them and their children, mainly Randolph Churchill, the three oldest Kennedy boys, and Kathleen Kennedy. Both placed high hopes on political careers for their eldest. The bulk of the book covers the years directly before, during, and after World War II. During this time, Churchill and Kennedy’s opposing views of the pending war are discussed; we see how the two men worked together early in the war, and how Roosevelt frequently circumnavigated Kennedy; their hopes and fears for their children; and learn what their children did during the war years. Then the book goes on to follow the patriarchs through their final years and their children’s careers.
Despite how I found this tome interesting, there were a few flaws. First, almost every chapter starts out with an event or situation then it jumps back in time and covers what leads to that. I found this distracting and felt it disrupted the flow of reading. Second, some chapters, especially early on, would tell the whole story from one family’s view with the next chapter from the opposite family but this was not clearly labeled. Sometimes it took reading several pages into the chapter to realize the backtrack in time. Third, the photo section could have been better. There were times a specific photo was mentioned in the text that were not included in the insert. Also, the section heavily favorite the Kennedys.
In all, an interesting book but I think it is better suited for research over casual reading.
This is a shortened version of the review that appeared on my blog. For the full version, please go to . I considered the review too long to repost in full.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
July 21, 2014
I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book as a giveaway on Goodreads.
The Churchill and the Kennedy families first met in the early 1930s, well before either grew to the political prominence in their respective countries that they soon would. While the relationship between the two families was certainly not always amicable, there is serious overlap in their social circles for decades - especially when Joe Kennedy served as ambassador to Great Britain before the outbreak of WWII.
My greatest struggle with reading this dual biography is that although undeniably intertwined, the families were not overwhelmingly close. They grew to prominence in two different nations. In many ways, this feels like two family biographies that was merged together, taking into consideration overlap in social circles. It could just have easily been a biography of the entire social set, to also include figures like Joe Kennedy's business associates, Franklin Roosevelt and his son Jimmy, socialite and lover Kay Halle, the Mitford sisters, and more that appear repeatedly over the course of the book. Additionally, at times this focused more on business and political affairs, whereas I would have preferred a focus on relationships and social developments - but I know that would have excluded the historical and political significance of the family relationship.
Some of the connections did amaze me because I never knew anything about how these two families interacted. For example, Jackie Kennedy first met the man who would become her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, onboard his yacht, invited at the express request of Winston Churchill. Churchill was friends with Onassis first and told Onassis he was interested in meeting the "presidential timber" that was Jack Kennedy at the time (524). Also interesting was the fact that Jack Kennedy, despite his father's resentment of Churchill, revered the British Prime Minister. In fact, Kennedy's inaugural speech as president, "reverberated with Churchill's literate thoughts and cadences. For inspiration, Kennedy had listened to recordings of Churchill and shared his vision of Anglo-American unity, almost word for word" (551). After Jack Kennedy's assassination, it was Randolph, Winston Churchill's son, who was asked to write his official biography, as well as that of his own father.
Interestingly, Maier takes note that "Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt were incomparably greater public men than Joseph P. Kennedy. Yet Randolph Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., youth of ability and ambition, never fulfilled their potentialities. The Kennedy sons, for whatever reason, pursued their capacities to the uttermost limits" (568). This dual biography tells the story of fathers and sons of two great families, in a pivotal moment in world history, who had considerable sway over the course of their two countries. Theirs is a story of wealth, power, disappointments, and triumphs. An interesting portrayal of not just historical figures, but the interactions that happened largely behind the scenes between those figures, that shaped the course of history.
3.5 stars
The Churchill and the Kennedy families first met in the early 1930s, well before either grew to the political prominence in their respective countries that they soon would. While the relationship between the two families was certainly not always amicable, there is serious overlap in their social circles for decades - especially when Joe Kennedy served as ambassador to Great Britain before the outbreak of WWII.
My greatest struggle with reading this dual biography is that although undeniably intertwined, the families were not overwhelmingly close. They grew to prominence in two different nations. In many ways, this feels like two family biographies that was merged together, taking into consideration overlap in social circles. It could just have easily been a biography of the entire social set, to also include figures like Joe Kennedy's business associates, Franklin Roosevelt and his son Jimmy, socialite and lover Kay Halle, the Mitford sisters, and more that appear repeatedly over the course of the book. Additionally, at times this focused more on business and political affairs, whereas I would have preferred a focus on relationships and social developments - but I know that would have excluded the historical and political significance of the family relationship.
Some of the connections did amaze me because I never knew anything about how these two families interacted. For example, Jackie Kennedy first met the man who would become her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, onboard his yacht, invited at the express request of Winston Churchill. Churchill was friends with Onassis first and told Onassis he was interested in meeting the "presidential timber" that was Jack Kennedy at the time (524). Also interesting was the fact that Jack Kennedy, despite his father's resentment of Churchill, revered the British Prime Minister. In fact, Kennedy's inaugural speech as president, "reverberated with Churchill's literate thoughts and cadences. For inspiration, Kennedy had listened to recordings of Churchill and shared his vision of Anglo-American unity, almost word for word" (551). After Jack Kennedy's assassination, it was Randolph, Winston Churchill's son, who was asked to write his official biography, as well as that of his own father.
Interestingly, Maier takes note that "Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt were incomparably greater public men than Joseph P. Kennedy. Yet Randolph Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., youth of ability and ambition, never fulfilled their potentialities. The Kennedy sons, for whatever reason, pursued their capacities to the uttermost limits" (568). This dual biography tells the story of fathers and sons of two great families, in a pivotal moment in world history, who had considerable sway over the course of their two countries. Theirs is a story of wealth, power, disappointments, and triumphs. An interesting portrayal of not just historical figures, but the interactions that happened largely behind the scenes between those figures, that shaped the course of history.
3.5 stars
January 31, 2015
I was attracted to Thomas Meier’s When Lions Roar: The Churchills and the Kennedys because between them they are two of the most important families of the last century or so and they share many commonalities, although whether either side would own up to such a fact is a topic free to debate. What Meier does in breathtaking detail throughout When Lions Roar is take the reader on a hypnotizing ride through twin worlds of high society and political intrigue where these two great families cross paths for good and bad throughout multiple generations of the two great families. I literally was sitting in a college library reading this and lost three hours totally captivated by this book.
The grand ambitions held by members of the Churchills and Kennedys may have ultimately encouraged the tense relations that occurred between Winston Churchill and Joe Kennedy, with the former harboring ambitions to return to the Prime Minister’s office, while Joe Kennedy wanted to be the first Irish Catholic President in US History. While Joe would ultimately pass his presidential ambitions to his children, one cannot understand the beauty and tragedy of this work without understanding the ambitions of these men.
While the Kennedy children mostly thrived under Joe’s firm hand guiding their ambitions, Winston Churchill’s son Randolph struggled to break from the shadow of his famous and iconic father. Though the other Churchill children also struggled under this weight, they are less focused upon. The matriarchs are profiled in detail, as these driven, but flawed men, whose families were ultimately subjugated to their ambitions. This lead to much of the tragedy that befell both families.
Yet, beyond the icy at best relations between Joe Kennedy and Winston Churchill, there was clearly a mutual respect shared between the offspring of these flawed men that ultimately asserted itself as John Kennedy ran for and became the United States President. Based on the complex portraits of Joe Kennedy and Winston Churchill, I assume that they were able to have such a relationship because both sides understood the consequences and pressures of being the offspring of ambitious men.
When Lions Roar has everything that a person could want in a book from political intrigue, to great family triumph and tragedy, it even has something for the tabloid crowd that loves the personal details of the lives of the powerful and well connected. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
The grand ambitions held by members of the Churchills and Kennedys may have ultimately encouraged the tense relations that occurred between Winston Churchill and Joe Kennedy, with the former harboring ambitions to return to the Prime Minister’s office, while Joe Kennedy wanted to be the first Irish Catholic President in US History. While Joe would ultimately pass his presidential ambitions to his children, one cannot understand the beauty and tragedy of this work without understanding the ambitions of these men.
While the Kennedy children mostly thrived under Joe’s firm hand guiding their ambitions, Winston Churchill’s son Randolph struggled to break from the shadow of his famous and iconic father. Though the other Churchill children also struggled under this weight, they are less focused upon. The matriarchs are profiled in detail, as these driven, but flawed men, whose families were ultimately subjugated to their ambitions. This lead to much of the tragedy that befell both families.
Yet, beyond the icy at best relations between Joe Kennedy and Winston Churchill, there was clearly a mutual respect shared between the offspring of these flawed men that ultimately asserted itself as John Kennedy ran for and became the United States President. Based on the complex portraits of Joe Kennedy and Winston Churchill, I assume that they were able to have such a relationship because both sides understood the consequences and pressures of being the offspring of ambitious men.
When Lions Roar has everything that a person could want in a book from political intrigue, to great family triumph and tragedy, it even has something for the tabloid crowd that loves the personal details of the lives of the powerful and well connected. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
November 18, 2014
I agree with Barry Singer that Churchill surpassed Joe Kennedy in almost every way. Joe Kennedy could not even bring himself to write his own memoirs. However, Churchill won in another way also: he made John F. Kennedy a Churchillian.
The book is a great read though this is not the book you want to read for a detailed account of WWII or the Cold War. Those events are just background to the great families and their friends and their goings on. Randolf Churchill, in particular, is depicted as a talented but erratic individual. Dropping out of college did not do him any good. He essentially spent the rest of his life on the fringe of elite British and European society while living off his name and connections. Altogether a sad story. Averill Harriman, whom I actually met in 1976 during the Moyhihan for Senate campaign, comes off as a classic limousine liberal sexual lout. I never cared for him; he seemed very self-centered and full of himself. I think less of him now.
And such goings ons! I could hardly keep track of whom was a mistress or lover of whom though Pamela Churchill seems to have always been a good possibility as well as Claire Booth Luce. But Maier never goes beyond his facts and leaves it up to the reader to think of the possibilities. Even when there is good evidence for a sexual union, Maier gives the lady the benefit of the doubt. After all Joe Kennedy cannot have been successful in ALL of his sexual advances.
As Barry Singer writes the books sometimes seems somewhat thin as every possible connection and influence between the Kennedys and the Churchills is explored. But this is a fascinating approach and I found the entire book very entertaining and interesting though naturally many of the stories and anecdotes I have read elsewhere because I have read dozens and dozens of books about Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. But still I found the perspective to be very imaginative and informative. I knew very little of Randolph Churchill and his friends nor of Joe Kennedy, jr. nor of Kick Kennedy nor of the mercurial money bags Aristotle Onassis pre 1961-63. I also enjoyed learned more about Bernard Baruch and Max Beaverbrook, and Evelyn Waugh's relationship with the Churchills. I did not know that Jack Churchill's family had become Catholic nor that Mrs. Onassis married a cousin of Churchill! For pure entertainment value I give this book FOUR STARS
The book is a great read though this is not the book you want to read for a detailed account of WWII or the Cold War. Those events are just background to the great families and their friends and their goings on. Randolf Churchill, in particular, is depicted as a talented but erratic individual. Dropping out of college did not do him any good. He essentially spent the rest of his life on the fringe of elite British and European society while living off his name and connections. Altogether a sad story. Averill Harriman, whom I actually met in 1976 during the Moyhihan for Senate campaign, comes off as a classic limousine liberal sexual lout. I never cared for him; he seemed very self-centered and full of himself. I think less of him now.
And such goings ons! I could hardly keep track of whom was a mistress or lover of whom though Pamela Churchill seems to have always been a good possibility as well as Claire Booth Luce. But Maier never goes beyond his facts and leaves it up to the reader to think of the possibilities. Even when there is good evidence for a sexual union, Maier gives the lady the benefit of the doubt. After all Joe Kennedy cannot have been successful in ALL of his sexual advances.
As Barry Singer writes the books sometimes seems somewhat thin as every possible connection and influence between the Kennedys and the Churchills is explored. But this is a fascinating approach and I found the entire book very entertaining and interesting though naturally many of the stories and anecdotes I have read elsewhere because I have read dozens and dozens of books about Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. But still I found the perspective to be very imaginative and informative. I knew very little of Randolph Churchill and his friends nor of Joe Kennedy, jr. nor of Kick Kennedy nor of the mercurial money bags Aristotle Onassis pre 1961-63. I also enjoyed learned more about Bernard Baruch and Max Beaverbrook, and Evelyn Waugh's relationship with the Churchills. I did not know that Jack Churchill's family had become Catholic nor that Mrs. Onassis married a cousin of Churchill! For pure entertainment value I give this book FOUR STARS
November 19, 2014
There are few families who have loomed larger in the twentieth century than the Kennedys and Churchills, with the possible exception of the Roosevelts. Across decades and generations, their lives were intertwined through politics and business, marriages and friendships, rivalry and enmity, and those relationships had an impact that has lingered on through history. One could argue they epitomised the 'special relationship' between America and England all on their own. Of course, one talks about 'families', but this is really a book about fathers and sons. The wives, mothers and daughters rarely get much of a look in, so dominated as this book is by the figures of Joe Kennedy and his sons Joe Jr, Jack and Bobby, and Winston Churchill and his son Randolph.
The families began on friendly terms in the 1930s when Joe Kennedy began his business dealings in England and Churchill was still in his wilderness years. The relationship degenerated into bitterness and anger during the war, when Churchill reached his greatest heights and Kennedy's political ambitions were tarnished by his actions as ambassador and the perception of appeasement and cowardice in his attitude towards Nazi Germany. In the postwar years, a rapprochement between the families took place, when Jack had eclipsed his father politically and Churchill served as a political mentor and exemplar. Churchill wept when Jack was assassinated, and Randolph and Bobby died on the same day.
This is a fascinating dual biography of two families who are each interesting enough to fill entire libraries on their own. It delves into the relationships in exceptional detail, highlighting just how many political and business links existed between the two, how many mutual friends and lovers, political parallels, similar outlooks. It is also an intriguing look at the payoff of different parenting styles, how Randolph never succeeded in emerging from the shadow cast by his legendary parent, whereas Jack more than outshone his father. Maier's insights into Randolph are particulary interesting, and one emerges with no small amount of sympathy for this eclipsed son of a famous father.
So all in all, an excellent book, and one well recommended to anyone interested in either family.
The families began on friendly terms in the 1930s when Joe Kennedy began his business dealings in England and Churchill was still in his wilderness years. The relationship degenerated into bitterness and anger during the war, when Churchill reached his greatest heights and Kennedy's political ambitions were tarnished by his actions as ambassador and the perception of appeasement and cowardice in his attitude towards Nazi Germany. In the postwar years, a rapprochement between the families took place, when Jack had eclipsed his father politically and Churchill served as a political mentor and exemplar. Churchill wept when Jack was assassinated, and Randolph and Bobby died on the same day.
This is a fascinating dual biography of two families who are each interesting enough to fill entire libraries on their own. It delves into the relationships in exceptional detail, highlighting just how many political and business links existed between the two, how many mutual friends and lovers, political parallels, similar outlooks. It is also an intriguing look at the payoff of different parenting styles, how Randolph never succeeded in emerging from the shadow cast by his legendary parent, whereas Jack more than outshone his father. Maier's insights into Randolph are particulary interesting, and one emerges with no small amount of sympathy for this eclipsed son of a famous father.
So all in all, an excellent book, and one well recommended to anyone interested in either family.
December 30, 2015
What a major disappointment this 643 page ponderous load of a book is. The subject matter Thomas Maier had to work with could hardly be more interesting. Two "Lions" of the first half of the 20th century, Patriarch of America's Kennedy dynasty, Joseph Patrick Kennedy, and the War-time prime minister of England, Winston Spencer Churchill. What should be a fascinating and intriguing read of riveting history quickly becomes a long winded bore of a book that doesn't even try to hide its decidedly pro-Churchill and anti-Kennedy bias. Some future author will have to tell this fascinating story in a more elegant prose and less prejudicial style. Trying to take this author seriously as an honest, knowledgeable historian becomes harder and then near impossible as you find yourself plodding through it. Obvious bias and continual spinning of events is evident throughout the disjointed, mish-mash of material seemingly thrown together without regard for historical sequence. Perhaps Maier was simply overwhelmed by the task of telling this tale. It is quickly clear that he makes no effort to try to appear objective. Indeed, you sometimes get the feeling that the book was written by a school age boy with a strong Churchill fetish and a desire to have everyone see history in the black and white colors that he does. Admittedly, I read "When Lion's Roar" shortly after reading the elegantly written "The Patriarch" by David Nasaw, which is undoubtedly a book of so much higher quality.
March 16, 2015
This is a detailed history of the prominent families of the age ... the Churchills, the Kennedy's, the Roosevelts, and the others who intertwined. I actually listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Malcolm Hillgartner, was excellent. When he was reading a quote, I knew exactly who had spoken ... Winston, Jack, Robert. It is a long book. Half way through I almost gave it up, but thank goodness I didn't.
The author, Thomas Maier, focused on the father-child relationships of the three dynasties. Even though Joe Kennedy was the least popular of the three, he was the most attentive father. His sons were the ones who achieved greatness greater than his. Not so with Churchill or Roosevelt.
The author, Thomas Maier, focused on the father-child relationships of the three dynasties. Even though Joe Kennedy was the least popular of the three, he was the most attentive father. His sons were the ones who achieved greatness greater than his. Not so with Churchill or Roosevelt.
April 12, 2021
I've been traveling back and forth to Texas so I listened to this book. Very Interesting! Even though the narrator used different voices and accents the book was more a reference or book of facts, rather than a story. I would not classify this as novel.
June 12, 2015
This is a great read. The stories of these 2 historic families was fascinating!
August 15, 2017
This was a very long book. Took me quite a while to get through it. A very interesting subject. This book is a biography of the Churchill and Kennedy families. The author does a comparison analysis of the two families and the relationships between the fathers and sons in both. He starts out in the twenties and goes all the way through to the 21st century with Ted Kennedy. The very basic conclusion the author comes to at the end of the book was while Winston Churchill was a greater man than Joe Kennedy, Joe Kennedy was a better father to his sons than Winston Churchill was to his son. That's the basics of this book.
Winston Churchill's son, Randolph, by anybody else's measure has a pretty decent life being a soldier, in Parliament for a little bit and a journalist and a writer for most of his life. Anybody else that's a fine life but because he's Winston Churchill's son he's considered a disappointment. He is a disappointment to Winston because he doesn't live up to his father's legacy. However Winston Churchill does not put real effort into molding his son or his daughters for that matter.
The whole history though in the twenties thirties and forties etc was very interesting I learned a lot of detailed history including about Joe Kennedy's time in Britain and about John F Kennedy's hero-worship of Winston Churchill.
A favorite moment earlier in the book was A young Winston Churchill crossing paths with Mark Twain and their sparring. That would have been a great conversation to witness. These were two who could be very cutting with their words.
All the different relationships and affairs described in the just confused me. I could not keep track of that at all. Lifestyles of that class of people are quite beyond me. Some of that got a little dull. Overall it was a very interesting book and I'm glad I read it. It is quite a unique insight into the lives of both families.
Winston Churchill's son, Randolph, by anybody else's measure has a pretty decent life being a soldier, in Parliament for a little bit and a journalist and a writer for most of his life. Anybody else that's a fine life but because he's Winston Churchill's son he's considered a disappointment. He is a disappointment to Winston because he doesn't live up to his father's legacy. However Winston Churchill does not put real effort into molding his son or his daughters for that matter.
The whole history though in the twenties thirties and forties etc was very interesting I learned a lot of detailed history including about Joe Kennedy's time in Britain and about John F Kennedy's hero-worship of Winston Churchill.
A favorite moment earlier in the book was A young Winston Churchill crossing paths with Mark Twain and their sparring. That would have been a great conversation to witness. These were two who could be very cutting with their words.
All the different relationships and affairs described in the just confused me. I could not keep track of that at all. Lifestyles of that class of people are quite beyond me. Some of that got a little dull. Overall it was a very interesting book and I'm glad I read it. It is quite a unique insight into the lives of both families.
January 8, 2024
WHEN LIONS ROAR is an outstanding study of two of the most dynamic families of the 20th Century, the Kennedys headed by Joseph Kennedy, Sr., and the Churchills led by Winston Churchill. Both have father-son combinations that were often dueling duos in their own right. A third pair, whose patriarch hovered above both primary paters, was Franklin and James Roosevelt. Indeed, the first dozen or so years of the Lions cannot be chronicled without FDR and his son.
Thomas Maier covers about four decades of Anglo-American history in his book, extensively researched and beautifully written, not only with his words but also with spoken and written words by the principles and prominent family and friends. Approaching a century's span since these men and their ladies came on the world scene, one must certainly pause to wonder how deficient our leaders are in public speaking compared to those a hundred years ago, or even the same period prior.
There is much to learn in Maier's book, not only about world history, not only about these powerful men, but also about family dynamics, especially between fathers and sons. Only in the final pages did it dawn on this reader that he fell into the familiar role of oldest child, only son we see here, perhaps forcing him to reflect on lessons shared and learned.
One last comment. This book is male dominated. The wife most mentioned in the book is Jackie Kennedy; her mother-in-law Rose is rarely mentioned. Eleanor Roosevelt, a most remarkable woman, occupies less than one percent of the narrative's pages. Winston's wife Clementine, is more visible but plays only a minor role. Indeed, it is the mistresses who get more space, perhaps deservingly so for they are a valuable source of information and insight into their male counterparts.
Five stars
Thomas Maier covers about four decades of Anglo-American history in his book, extensively researched and beautifully written, not only with his words but also with spoken and written words by the principles and prominent family and friends. Approaching a century's span since these men and their ladies came on the world scene, one must certainly pause to wonder how deficient our leaders are in public speaking compared to those a hundred years ago, or even the same period prior.
There is much to learn in Maier's book, not only about world history, not only about these powerful men, but also about family dynamics, especially between fathers and sons. Only in the final pages did it dawn on this reader that he fell into the familiar role of oldest child, only son we see here, perhaps forcing him to reflect on lessons shared and learned.
One last comment. This book is male dominated. The wife most mentioned in the book is Jackie Kennedy; her mother-in-law Rose is rarely mentioned. Eleanor Roosevelt, a most remarkable woman, occupies less than one percent of the narrative's pages. Winston's wife Clementine, is more visible but plays only a minor role. Indeed, it is the mistresses who get more space, perhaps deservingly so for they are a valuable source of information and insight into their male counterparts.
Five stars
October 28, 2023
Quotes I need to remember from this book:
From Lord Randolph to his son, Winston Churchill while Winston was in school at Sandhurst:
“I am certain that if you cannot prevent yourself from leading the idle useless unprofitable life you have had during your schooldays & later months, you will become a mere social wastrel one of the hundreds of the public school failures, and you will degenerate into shabby unhappy & futile existence.”
Tough love from father 😢
Quite the opposite is the parental approach by Rose and Joe Kennedy:
“Rose’s intelligence, discipline, and religious faith influenced her children, yet most remarkable were the genuine love and regard that their children held for Joe. He had prepared, steered, and sometimes dictated their course in life, though never in a soul-crushing manner, always with engagement of a parent who cared about them deeply…unselfishly he devoted himself to his family’s advancement, overcoming obstacles that had once seemed insurmountable.”
A novel about legacies, fathers and sons, empire building or deterioration. Intimate look at these large figures of 20th Century history. Not a huge look into the women that supported them, but at 700 pages the novel was long enough just examining mostly the male figures.
From Lord Randolph to his son, Winston Churchill while Winston was in school at Sandhurst:
“I am certain that if you cannot prevent yourself from leading the idle useless unprofitable life you have had during your schooldays & later months, you will become a mere social wastrel one of the hundreds of the public school failures, and you will degenerate into shabby unhappy & futile existence.”
Tough love from father 😢
Quite the opposite is the parental approach by Rose and Joe Kennedy:
“Rose’s intelligence, discipline, and religious faith influenced her children, yet most remarkable were the genuine love and regard that their children held for Joe. He had prepared, steered, and sometimes dictated their course in life, though never in a soul-crushing manner, always with engagement of a parent who cared about them deeply…unselfishly he devoted himself to his family’s advancement, overcoming obstacles that had once seemed insurmountable.”
A novel about legacies, fathers and sons, empire building or deterioration. Intimate look at these large figures of 20th Century history. Not a huge look into the women that supported them, but at 700 pages the novel was long enough just examining mostly the male figures.
January 20, 2018
When Lions Roar: The Churchills and The Kennedys
A masterfully written tome of epic proportion! The extraordinary research comprised within this volume, which spans 4-5 decades, is staggering. Maier has crafted, in not too dissimilar Churchillian fashion, the very essence of the modern history of both the United States and Great Brittan. The very force of those who orchestrated these country's world-wide performances is brilliantly recounted and presented without bias or personal interpretation in this stunning portrayal of how our two nations have come to occupy their current places in the world community. An ABSOLUTE MUST READ for the serious student of World History; should be REQUIRED READING for ALL students of Military, Political and Western Civilization history on the high school and university levels. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK, and fully intend to re-read it as a text, with underlining, highlighting and margin notations!
A masterfully written tome of epic proportion! The extraordinary research comprised within this volume, which spans 4-5 decades, is staggering. Maier has crafted, in not too dissimilar Churchillian fashion, the very essence of the modern history of both the United States and Great Brittan. The very force of those who orchestrated these country's world-wide performances is brilliantly recounted and presented without bias or personal interpretation in this stunning portrayal of how our two nations have come to occupy their current places in the world community. An ABSOLUTE MUST READ for the serious student of World History; should be REQUIRED READING for ALL students of Military, Political and Western Civilization history on the high school and university levels. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK, and fully intend to re-read it as a text, with underlining, highlighting and margin notations!
March 16, 2018
Interesting enough read. Like some of the personal stories. However, began to hanker for a more historical picture as I got further and further into the book. This was more personalities. Tired of reading of everyone's affairs. Amazing how the powerful used to keep such documentation of things, letters, appointments, diaries etc. We "declutter" so quickly now! Yes, I do recommend the book. No, I did not admire Churchill or Joe Kennedy more as people after reading it.
September 15, 2018
I learned a lot from this book. The sometimes combative relationship between Joe Kennedy and Winston Churchill is well documented. Less well known perhaps is the friendship between Randolph Kennedy with JFK as well as Robert Kennedy. Members of both great families come in and out of each other's lives like character in a play. Thomas Maier's look into all their lives is also a lens into a major chapter in the history of the 20th century. A wonderful read.
November 9, 2022
A massively intricate, critical, yet sympathetic multi-biography of Joseph P. Kennedy, Winston S. Churchill, their families and circles of intimates. Kennedy and Churchill had social and business connections going back to the early 1930s. Kennedy was a friend and sponsor of Churchill's brilliant but troubled son Randolph, as he was of some of Franklin Roosevelt's sons and in-laws. The intertwined fortunes of the Kennedys, Churchills, and Roosevelts often make for heartbreaking stories.
October 3, 2023
quote
Surprisingly voted out of office after World War II, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill privately became an advocate for an Anglo-American first strike atom bomb attack against the Soviet Union, as once secret FBI records indicate. Churchill’s 1946 speech at Fulton, Missouri, warning against his former Communist ally during World War II, set the stage for a new conflict known as the Cold War, which lasted for decades and still haunts international relations today.
September 5, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and easy to read. I could not put it down, I like the way it focused on the relationships between the fathers and sons. The relationships between the Kennedys and Churchills were explained and the results were documented. It would have been nice if the author could have covered what the 3rd generation have done or not. Highly recommend
July 31, 2018
I almost done with this one ... It is well written, but almost too well written. There is more detail in the book than I had expected. You go from one chapter or two on the Churchill family to a couple on the Kennedys. All in all, a very solid book, but not something that you can easily read in one or a couple sittings.
February 11, 2019
In Depth Analysis of the Churchill/Kennedy Relationships
This book is not for the faint of heart! It is an in depth analysis of the complicated, ever-changing, relationship between two families that contributed greatly to what is today's world. As a student of 20th Century history it was fascinating. For someone not used to reading historical documents it may overwhelm them.
This book is not for the faint of heart! It is an in depth analysis of the complicated, ever-changing, relationship between two families that contributed greatly to what is today's world. As a student of 20th Century history it was fascinating. For someone not used to reading historical documents it may overwhelm them.
February 1, 2018
When the Lions Roar is an interesting book about the political and personal lives of Churchills, Roosevelts, and Kennedys. You read about how their lives intertwine and the father/son relationships. It was informative. I enjoyed the 664 page book.
March 13, 2018
Leading Families of the 20th Century
The Churchills, the Kennedys and the Roosevelts were all powerfully political families of the 20th century. They were people who strongly influenced who Great Britain and America are today. I was fascinated by the people and their stories.
The Churchills, the Kennedys and the Roosevelts were all powerfully political families of the 20th century. They were people who strongly influenced who Great Britain and America are today. I was fascinated by the people and their stories.
May 1, 2018
Probably the subject matter not the book. This book was a struggle. Found out I really have no interest in Joe Kennedy. Was quite interested in Winston Churchill, an interesting character not what I had imagined.
January 16, 2020
Well written but too looong
This book was chosen by our bookclub. I dreaded reading it as history isnt my favorite topic. But, i enjoyed the book and learnned a lot. I think there were some sections that could have been shortened.
This book was chosen by our bookclub. I dreaded reading it as history isnt my favorite topic. But, i enjoyed the book and learnned a lot. I think there were some sections that could have been shortened.
October 2, 2020
I read the ebook and didn't realize how long this would be, but it always kept my interest. I learned a lot about how these families' lives were very much intertwined, and also how they used their connections to advance their own standings. Just a really fascinating read.
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