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Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills
Winston and Clementine Churchill wrote to each other constantly throughout the fifty-seven years of their life together, from the passionate and charming exchanges of their courtship until the year before Winston's death in 1965. Their letters provide rare and revealing insights into both the great political and social events of a turbulent century and the intimate world of an extraordinary partnership. Mary Soames, the only surviving child of this remarkable couple, has brought her parents to life as no biographer could. In moving detail we hear of Churchill's dramatic career and his final, deeply felt reflections on the fading of his enormous powers. And we hear Clementine, responding with her love and advice, and her belief in his destiny. Bringing these letters together for the first time, WINSTON AND CLEMENTIME is a surprising portrait of one of history's most significant figures.
704 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Mary Soames
17 books10 followersMary Soames, Baroness Soames, LG, DBE, FRSL was the youngest of the five children of Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine. She was the wife of Christopher Soames.
Mary Spencer-Churchill was raised at Chartwell and educated at the Manor House at Limpsfield. She worked for the Red Cross and the Women's Voluntary Service from 1939 to 1941, and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1941 with whom she served in London, Belgium and Germany in mixed anti-aircraft batteries, rising to the rank of Junior Commander (equivalent to Captain). She also accompanied her father as aide-de-camp on several of his overseas journeys, including his post-VE trip to Potsdam, where he met with Harry S. Truman and Joseph Stalin.
A successful author, Lady Soames wrote an acclaimed biography of her mother, Clementine Churchill, in 1979. She offered insights into the Churchill family to various biographers, prominently including Sir Martin Gilbert, who was the authorized biographer of Sir Winston Churchill. Additionally, she published a book of letters between Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, editing the letters as well as providing bridging material that placed the letters in personal, family, and historical context.
Lady Soames was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her public service, particularly in Rhodesia. She was appointed a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter on 23 April 2005, and was invested on 13 June at Windsor Castle.
On 31 May 2014, Lady Soames died at her home in London at the age of 91 following a short illness. Her ashes are buried next to those of her husband within the Churchill plot at St Martin's Church, Bladon, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
Mary Spencer-Churchill was raised at Chartwell and educated at the Manor House at Limpsfield. She worked for the Red Cross and the Women's Voluntary Service from 1939 to 1941, and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1941 with whom she served in London, Belgium and Germany in mixed anti-aircraft batteries, rising to the rank of Junior Commander (equivalent to Captain). She also accompanied her father as aide-de-camp on several of his overseas journeys, including his post-VE trip to Potsdam, where he met with Harry S. Truman and Joseph Stalin.
A successful author, Lady Soames wrote an acclaimed biography of her mother, Clementine Churchill, in 1979. She offered insights into the Churchill family to various biographers, prominently including Sir Martin Gilbert, who was the authorized biographer of Sir Winston Churchill. Additionally, she published a book of letters between Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, editing the letters as well as providing bridging material that placed the letters in personal, family, and historical context.
Lady Soames was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her public service, particularly in Rhodesia. She was appointed a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter on 23 April 2005, and was invested on 13 June at Windsor Castle.
On 31 May 2014, Lady Soames died at her home in London at the age of 91 following a short illness. Her ashes are buried next to those of her husband within the Churchill plot at St Martin's Church, Bladon, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 18, 2018
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jrdvDescription: The fascinating, insightful and often moving correspondence between Sir Winston and Lady Clementine Churchill extends from their early days of innocent courtship in 1908 to Winston Churchill's death in 1965.
The letters serve not only as a chronicle of their personal achievements and tragedies over the years, but also as a political and social history. In their own words, Winston and Clementine recount some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century: the sinking of the Titanic, the abdication of King Edward VIII, the downfall of governments, the Depression, and two world wars. Here are harrowing first-hand accounts from the battlefields of 1915, reflections on political triumphs and upsets, as well as domestic minutiae, foreign travel, revelations of social scandals and, above all, words of mutual support and encouragement that span the career of one of Britain's most revered statesmen. Speaking for Themselves is not only an important historical document, it is a love story and an intimate, charming and often surprising insight into one of the century's most successful marriages.
Winston woos his bride as "Pug" and "Cat" get romantic.The letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, recalling time spent apart as their daughter grows up.Tragedy strikes and more loneliness follows. 4. Another world war is looming.The reality of war strikes home.Away at war, Churchill writes to Clementine stating he wants to return home early7. Churchill returns home to his beloved Clementine, but tragedy strikes. Clementine is unhappy when Winston buys Chartwell Manor without her knowledge.Churchill cuts back on household expenditure. Clementine is knocked down by a bus. Winston writes from Canada. Randolph leaves Oxford for a lecture tour of the USA.
January 19, 2018
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Episode 1 of 10
Winston woos his bride as "Pug" and "Cat" get romantic.
Episode 2 of 10
The letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, recalling time spent apart as their daughter grows up.
Episode 3 of 10
Tragedy strikes and more loneliness follows.
Episode 4 of 10
Another world war is looming.
Episode 5 of 10
The reality of war strikes home.
Episode 6 of 10
Away at war, Churchill writes to Clementine stating he wants to return home early.
Episode 7 of 10
Churchill returns home to his beloved Clementine, but tragedy strikes.
Episode 8 of 10
Clementine is unhappy when Winston buys Chartwell Manor without her knowledge.
Episode 9 of 10
Churchill cuts back on household expenditure. Clementine is knocked down by a bus.
Episode 10 of 10
Winston writes from Canada. Randolph leaves Oxford for a lecture tour of the USA
From one of the great romances of the 20th century - the personal letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, edited by their daughter Mary Soames.
Read by Alex Jennings and Sylvestra le Touzel.
Narrated by Helen Bourne.
Abridged in ten parts by Penny Leicester.
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jrdv
Episode 1 of 10
Winston woos his bride as "Pug" and "Cat" get romantic.
Episode 2 of 10
The letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, recalling time spent apart as their daughter grows up.
Episode 3 of 10
Tragedy strikes and more loneliness follows.
Episode 4 of 10
Another world war is looming.
Episode 5 of 10
The reality of war strikes home.
Episode 6 of 10
Away at war, Churchill writes to Clementine stating he wants to return home early.
Episode 7 of 10
Churchill returns home to his beloved Clementine, but tragedy strikes.
Episode 8 of 10
Clementine is unhappy when Winston buys Chartwell Manor without her knowledge.
Episode 9 of 10
Churchill cuts back on household expenditure. Clementine is knocked down by a bus.
Episode 10 of 10
Winston writes from Canada. Randolph leaves Oxford for a lecture tour of the USA
From one of the great romances of the 20th century - the personal letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill, edited by their daughter Mary Soames.
Read by Alex Jennings and Sylvestra le Touzel.
Narrated by Helen Bourne.
Abridged in ten parts by Penny Leicester.
Producer: Di Speirs
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1999.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jrdv
February 24, 2013
A very interesting read- the correspondence of a very strong and intelligent couple that covers most of the first half of the twentieth century. It shows the ups and downs of their relationship, their trust in one another, and an insider view of some of the most important events of modern history. Mary Soames (their youngest daughter) provides some commentary to keep things clear. The family tree is also useful.
(I do wish that after an illness we could still go away on several months long "sea voyages" to recover!)
(I do wish that after an illness we could still go away on several months long "sea voyages" to recover!)
February 13, 2020
It's Valentine's Day week and this book heralds enduring connections. A bizarre love story involving two historic and interesting characters. One may have been famous, but the other contributed to their lives' successes.
February 1, 2011
Fantasic book that gives insight into the decisions that Churchill was making. It also shows an amazing trust and partnership between Clementine and Winston.
Want to read
May 28, 2011Every single day, Winston wrote a letter to his wife. Amazing. Was Winston one of the greatest lovers of the 20th century?
Read
February 21, 2022It would be unfair of me to give this book a rating as I didn't finish, barely even got through a quarter of it and ended up just skimming along. I know I was just not in the mood to read it (700 pages) but maybe I'll pick it up again someday. The author, Churchill daughter Mary Soames, gives much interesting insight to their lives. What an amazing couple. I especially enjoyed looking at the pictures.
I do want to show a bit of writing from W to C about the recent birth of his nephew (son of brother Jack Churchill and wife "Goonie") and the soon-to-be birth of their first child. It made me chuckle...
So Jack and Goonie have their P.K.! Jack like a little turkey-cock with satisfaction. 'Alone I did it' sort of air.
It seems to have been a most smooth & successful affair. Goonie dined out, walked home, slept soundly till 2. Then felt the premonitory sensations wh precede the act of destiny. And at 4 or 5 all was gloriously over - & another soul - escaping from its rest or unrest in the oceans of the spirit would crept timidly up on to a frail raft of consciousness & sense - there to float - for a while. She hardly had any pain & Philips [the doctor] was most skillful.
My dear Bird - this happy event will be a great help to you & will encourage you. I rather shrink from it - because I don't like your having to bear pain & face this ordeal. But we are in the grip of circumstances, & out of pain joy will spring & from passing weakness new strengths arise.
I do want to show a bit of writing from W to C about the recent birth of his nephew (son of brother Jack Churchill and wife "Goonie") and the soon-to-be birth of their first child. It made me chuckle...
So Jack and Goonie have their P.K.! Jack like a little turkey-cock with satisfaction. 'Alone I did it' sort of air.
It seems to have been a most smooth & successful affair. Goonie dined out, walked home, slept soundly till 2. Then felt the premonitory sensations wh precede the act of destiny. And at 4 or 5 all was gloriously over - & another soul - escaping from its rest or unrest in the oceans of the spirit would crept timidly up on to a frail raft of consciousness & sense - there to float - for a while. She hardly had any pain & Philips [the doctor] was most skillful.
My dear Bird - this happy event will be a great help to you & will encourage you. I rather shrink from it - because I don't like your having to bear pain & face this ordeal. But we are in the grip of circumstances, & out of pain joy will spring & from passing weakness new strengths arise.
March 25, 2019
For all the details it offers of one exceptional statesman's life, this book is really a portrait of a marriage, and an extraordinary one at that. As editor, the Churchills' daughter Mary gives extremely useful footnotes and explanations, providing the facts when the letters themselves don't. But no facts can compete with the charm of the little drawings that accompanied so many of the couples' letters. She called him "the Pug," and he called her "Clemmie Cat." They were often apart, either because of his many assignments or her travels without him. But they wrote each other frequently, and anyone who reads this volume will be glad they did.
August 27, 2022
Fascinating insight into their life and times
Churchill was a great writer and the letter he wrote Clementine in the event of his death in the First World War was incredibly moving
His acts of kindness surprised me as did the amount of time he and Clementine spent apart especially their separate holidays
It was interesting to note the growing maturity in Clementine’s letters over the years
I was surprised how much advice regarding politics that she gave Churchill
Definitely recommend to anyone interested in world history especially First and Second World Wars
Churchill was a great writer and the letter he wrote Clementine in the event of his death in the First World War was incredibly moving
His acts of kindness surprised me as did the amount of time he and Clementine spent apart especially their separate holidays
It was interesting to note the growing maturity in Clementine’s letters over the years
I was surprised how much advice regarding politics that she gave Churchill
Definitely recommend to anyone interested in world history especially First and Second World Wars
August 8, 2020
Loved this book. I have read several dozen books on WSC and a few on CSC but the letters they wrote over their 50+ year relationship were amazing. I loved the intimacy that they wrote with and the love the had for each other. I literally cried at the end of this book as I was sad that it was ending. Great book. Highly recommend.
October 10, 2020
I followed the communication through letters of Clementine & Winston to get a behind-the-scene view of major world events. She supported him, and their love was unshakable. I witnessed poignant moments and saw them Both as an equal partnership.
When I ended the book, I hated to leave my two new friends. What an amazing love story for all times!
When I ended the book, I hated to leave my two new friends. What an amazing love story for all times!
August 21, 2022
Winston and Clementine Churchill wrote to each other constantly over their fifty seven year relationship. Winston was often away on business, or she was off at other locations doing things. Especially during wartime. The letters offered a real personal look at their relationship. Their style of communication and conversation was really awesome to see.
September 4, 2023
Just marvellous. A book to pick and put down. To cross reference with world events. A friendship and love over nearly 60 years set out in letters and telegrams. Whatever your views of WSC's politics this is a book about the power of human relationships.
April 30, 2023
Whether you adhere to the current view of Churchill as a warmonger or not, his mastery of the English language is undeniable. Talking about the onset of WWI: “The parishes of Fermanagh and Tyrone faded back into the mists and squalls of Ireland, and a strange light, by a series of perceptible gradations, began to fall upon the map of Europe.” And in his address to the British people upon taking the reins at the outbreak of WWII: "I have nothing to offer you but blood, sweat and tears." Surely Churchill was the greatest rhetorician in recent history.
So it was in the hope of reading and perhaps acquiring some of this mastery that I read this book, and was partly disappointed, but only in that respect. Perhaps naturally the letters do not brim with ringing rhetoric but I found it a fascinating, compelling read. There are many, many letters, curated by his daughter Mary Soames, because the Churchills, Winston and Clementine, in spite of their clear and constant lifelong love for each other, spent an extraordinary amount of time apart. They routinely holidayed separately; Winston loved the French Riviera, Clementine didn't care for it. Winston had a great passion for painting and in fact became a fairly accomplished and respected artist and a member of the Royal Academy, accepted on his artistic merit. This took him to Tangiers and various parts of Europe while "Clemmie" remained at home or holidayed elsewhere. Not only his painting kept them apart. She disliked some of his friends, notably Lord Max Beaverbrook, the media baron, with whom Winston often stayed at his luxurious villa in France.
This aspect of their lives led me to reflect on the way we live as couples in the 21st Century. It is generally assumed that one will spend one's entire life at the side of one's partner and frankly I wonder if this does not contribute to the very high rates of divorce in our time. Perhaps it is better to arrange our lives in a way which gives our inevitable differences breathing room.
Winston was a fierce gambler and worked constantly at his writing to pay for the lifestyle of a king. One of the couple's deepest divisions arose out of his reckless purchase of their home at Chartwell and its subsequent lavish reconstruction, without seeking her agreement, which she would certainly have withheld. The book contains a couple of letters expressing her deep disappointment at his unilateral decision to buy this large property virtually in ruins. To make matters worse, he had been touring America and Canada shortly beforehand (in the private train of William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper magnate) and had been drawn into investments in the US stockmarket a few short moths before the 1929 crash. Chartwell came close to ruining them and it would be many years before Clementine would be happy there. Happily, she came to love it as he did.
I found great interest in their exchanges on political matters. Unlike with his purchase of Chartwell, Winston always considered her advice – she emerges as a very clever and perceptive observer of people and their place in politics – but did not always heed it. Sometimes to his cost, although at other times history proved him right. Another surprising aspect of their life was their very sincere friendship for the abdicated King Edward and his wife, the former Mrs Simpson, whom they visited throughout their lives. Odd, in light of the fact that Edward was highly sympathetic to Winston's greatest foe, Adolf Hitler. Re dictators, it is highly amusing to read Clementine's fulsome praise of Mussolini after their first meetings; it's obvious he swept her off her feet. She wrote that "he fills you with a pleasurable kind of awe" and "I am sure that he is a very great person. I do hope nothing happens to him." Somehow I doubt she shed tears when he was strung up from a lamppost 18 years later.
I would recommend this book highly to anyone with an interest in 20th Century history, to see it standing close to a couple who were at the very heart of its greatest and most terrible events. But don't expect memorable tropes that ring in the heart.
So it was in the hope of reading and perhaps acquiring some of this mastery that I read this book, and was partly disappointed, but only in that respect. Perhaps naturally the letters do not brim with ringing rhetoric but I found it a fascinating, compelling read. There are many, many letters, curated by his daughter Mary Soames, because the Churchills, Winston and Clementine, in spite of their clear and constant lifelong love for each other, spent an extraordinary amount of time apart. They routinely holidayed separately; Winston loved the French Riviera, Clementine didn't care for it. Winston had a great passion for painting and in fact became a fairly accomplished and respected artist and a member of the Royal Academy, accepted on his artistic merit. This took him to Tangiers and various parts of Europe while "Clemmie" remained at home or holidayed elsewhere. Not only his painting kept them apart. She disliked some of his friends, notably Lord Max Beaverbrook, the media baron, with whom Winston often stayed at his luxurious villa in France.
This aspect of their lives led me to reflect on the way we live as couples in the 21st Century. It is generally assumed that one will spend one's entire life at the side of one's partner and frankly I wonder if this does not contribute to the very high rates of divorce in our time. Perhaps it is better to arrange our lives in a way which gives our inevitable differences breathing room.
Winston was a fierce gambler and worked constantly at his writing to pay for the lifestyle of a king. One of the couple's deepest divisions arose out of his reckless purchase of their home at Chartwell and its subsequent lavish reconstruction, without seeking her agreement, which she would certainly have withheld. The book contains a couple of letters expressing her deep disappointment at his unilateral decision to buy this large property virtually in ruins. To make matters worse, he had been touring America and Canada shortly beforehand (in the private train of William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper magnate) and had been drawn into investments in the US stockmarket a few short moths before the 1929 crash. Chartwell came close to ruining them and it would be many years before Clementine would be happy there. Happily, she came to love it as he did.
I found great interest in their exchanges on political matters. Unlike with his purchase of Chartwell, Winston always considered her advice – she emerges as a very clever and perceptive observer of people and their place in politics – but did not always heed it. Sometimes to his cost, although at other times history proved him right. Another surprising aspect of their life was their very sincere friendship for the abdicated King Edward and his wife, the former Mrs Simpson, whom they visited throughout their lives. Odd, in light of the fact that Edward was highly sympathetic to Winston's greatest foe, Adolf Hitler. Re dictators, it is highly amusing to read Clementine's fulsome praise of Mussolini after their first meetings; it's obvious he swept her off her feet. She wrote that "he fills you with a pleasurable kind of awe" and "I am sure that he is a very great person. I do hope nothing happens to him." Somehow I doubt she shed tears when he was strung up from a lamppost 18 years later.
I would recommend this book highly to anyone with an interest in 20th Century history, to see it standing close to a couple who were at the very heart of its greatest and most terrible events. But don't expect memorable tropes that ring in the heart.
December 16, 2011
I have read a portion of this before but this time I finished it. I like it very much but found it somewhat disillusional as Churchill has always been one of my inspirations and to find that he was 'oh so human, (warts and all!) was rather off putting. Once I came to terms with that I loved the interaction of the people and the 'real' history unfolding with every page.
December 16, 2022
This is a big book, covering the letter writing years of Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine. It is edited by their daughter Mary Soames. Ms. Soames has gone through the letters and explained who each person they were discussing and what was going on in the world at that time. This makes it interesting.
February 17, 2008
A huge book containg the letters between Winston Churchill & his wife- they are very sweet & you can see the love as well as the irritation between these two people as their lives played out across the very interesting times of WWI & WWII England. This was my Valentines book-
July 30, 2016
What a wonderful collection of letters from such a different era. It's such an amazing insight into their lives. What really surprised me was how much time they spent apart. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
February 2, 2008
Although obviously edited, this book is a fascinating look inside a marriage and inside the battle for survival of a nation at war.
Read
November 10, 2008This was so fascinating, I almost went blind reading it.
November 16, 2016
Fascinating!
June 13, 2018
Loved learning about 20th century European history through the eyes of people who were at the center of it. Very touching to see their devotion to each other.
October 6, 2019
Very entertaining and informative regarding the Churchills and British history.
Currently reading
November 11, 2009Just started for an online bookclub - wouldn't have been my first choice, but oh well.
October 30, 2014
A relationship to aspire to.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews