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Jennie: The Mother of Winston Churchill
In this book, with the skill of an experienced biographer, an Irish sense of humour and a measure of intuition, Anita Leslie has produced a vivid and convincing portrait of Jennie, Lady Randolph, Winston Churchill’s mother.
From his father, Winston Churchill surely inherited the gift of oratory. But from his mother he drew greater gifts of inestimable value to the nation he led in the dark days of 1940-1.
She gave him her ache for action, her formidable stamina, her courage and, above all, the will to stand fast in adversity and to endure whatever fate threw at her.
Jennie was an extraordinary beauty whose zest, courage, intelligence and conversational ease made her, in her own right, one of the international figures of her day.
When she married Lord Randolph Churchill, a fascinating young man who was violently in love with her, she had no idea he would become the most brilliant and controversial politician in England at the time.
But she was eminently suited to be the wife of a politician and, although her role would be `to applaud not to advise,' she brought to it her whole heart and her lively intelligence.
Yet her marriage to Randolph was a struggle which she had to learn to endure, and after his death she went on marry twice more, to men much younger than herself.
She adored Winston and went to great lengths to satisfy his whims as a young man, and she was hugely influential in shaping the great figure he would become.
Anita Leslie has used personal memories and family papers to create a fascinating look at one of the most powerful of Churchill women, mother of Winston.
From his father, Winston Churchill surely inherited the gift of oratory. But from his mother he drew greater gifts of inestimable value to the nation he led in the dark days of 1940-1.
She gave him her ache for action, her formidable stamina, her courage and, above all, the will to stand fast in adversity and to endure whatever fate threw at her.
Jennie was an extraordinary beauty whose zest, courage, intelligence and conversational ease made her, in her own right, one of the international figures of her day.
When she married Lord Randolph Churchill, a fascinating young man who was violently in love with her, she had no idea he would become the most brilliant and controversial politician in England at the time.
But she was eminently suited to be the wife of a politician and, although her role would be `to applaud not to advise,' she brought to it her whole heart and her lively intelligence.
Yet her marriage to Randolph was a struggle which she had to learn to endure, and after his death she went on marry twice more, to men much younger than herself.
She adored Winston and went to great lengths to satisfy his whims as a young man, and she was hugely influential in shaping the great figure he would become.
Anita Leslie has used personal memories and family papers to create a fascinating look at one of the most powerful of Churchill women, mother of Winston.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1969
About the author
Anita Leslie
24 books5 followersAnita Theodosia Moira (Leslie) Rodzianko King
Daughter of Sir Shane Leslie, Bt. and wife of Commander William Donald Aelian "Bill" King, DSO*, DSC, RN.
Daughter of Sir Shane Leslie, Bt. and wife of Commander William Donald Aelian "Bill" King, DSO*, DSC, RN.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 18, 2017
This account of the life of Jennie Jerome (Mrs. Randolph) Churchill, was written by her great-niece, Anita Leslie. That gives her access to a lot of family letters and other interesting stories that she heard first hand from her grandmother, but it probably also gives her a slight bias in favor of Mrs. Churchill.
She must have been a very dynamic woman. Evidence, beyond having produced a man the value and caliber of Winston Churchill, can be found in the kind of acceptance she had among the peerage in England and her sustained appeal and energy until her unexpected death brought on my a fall. She was a huge influence on her sons and is largely responsible for Winston Churchill's attitude and abilities.
After the death of Winston's father, Randolph, she married twice...both times to men seriously younger than herself. The first was Winston's age and the second even younger than her son. In both instances, there appears to have been true and lasting devotion.
I could not help thinking about Edith Wharton's tales of American women seeking titled husbands in England. Perhaps the life of Jennie Churchill helped flush those tales and give them life. I enjoyed reading about her life and the early life of Winston Churchill as well. It made me realize how much I do not know about this man for whom I have always had so much admiration.
She must have been a very dynamic woman. Evidence, beyond having produced a man the value and caliber of Winston Churchill, can be found in the kind of acceptance she had among the peerage in England and her sustained appeal and energy until her unexpected death brought on my a fall. She was a huge influence on her sons and is largely responsible for Winston Churchill's attitude and abilities.
After the death of Winston's father, Randolph, she married twice...both times to men seriously younger than herself. The first was Winston's age and the second even younger than her son. In both instances, there appears to have been true and lasting devotion.
I could not help thinking about Edith Wharton's tales of American women seeking titled husbands in England. Perhaps the life of Jennie Churchill helped flush those tales and give them life. I enjoyed reading about her life and the early life of Winston Churchill as well. It made me realize how much I do not know about this man for whom I have always had so much admiration.
November 29, 2016
I primarily picked this up because judging by the biographer name I knew she was a relative--a great niece in fact. This is a difficult book to read because of the writing style. I feel like she uses personal letters as filler and there is plenty of filler. The first half of the book is husband heavy (Randolph) and the second half is Winston heavy. Poor Jack is another afterthought, but very interesting tidbits about Montagu Porch (3rd husband, three years younger then Winston) and Bourke Cockran...If I were to write a book about Winston Churchill it would center around his relationship with Bourke Cochran.
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April 14, 2022MyNextRead
November 24, 2023
an insider’s view of Victorian and later aristocratic life
This is an enjoyable read, that gives an insight into the lifestyle of British high society- a very privileged class- in Victorian and Edwardian times. It demonstrates their attitudes to politics, the empire, money, family, morals.
It is actually a social commentary, revealed through letters, diaries, contemporary newspaper articles and recollections of some.
I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in social history.
This is an enjoyable read, that gives an insight into the lifestyle of British high society- a very privileged class- in Victorian and Edwardian times. It demonstrates their attitudes to politics, the empire, money, family, morals.
It is actually a social commentary, revealed through letters, diaries, contemporary newspaper articles and recollections of some.
I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in social history.
February 9, 2019
Fascinating Person
I loved this biography. A dear friend was related to Jennie through his mother and I was anxious to know who she was. The author seems to have had volumes of correspondence to work with. With Julian Fellows period television drama now being so popular, it made the biography come alive. Thank You, Ms Leslie, for a wonderful biography.
I loved this biography. A dear friend was related to Jennie through his mother and I was anxious to know who she was. The author seems to have had volumes of correspondence to work with. With Julian Fellows period television drama now being so popular, it made the biography come alive. Thank You, Ms Leslie, for a wonderful biography.
December 22, 2020
I felt like I personally knew her
This book written by her great niece who uses letters as part of the narrative to draw the reader into the family. To me she is no longer Winston Churchill's mother which is all I knew about her before reading this. She is an extraordinary woman who lead a full and at times amazing life.
This book written by her great niece who uses letters as part of the narrative to draw the reader into the family. To me she is no longer Winston Churchill's mother which is all I knew about her before reading this. She is an extraordinary woman who lead a full and at times amazing life.
June 1, 2020
I did not like her writing style so found it difficult to read. One of the rare times I could not finish a book.
November 4, 2022
Very well written … Anita Leslies most certainly loved and appreciated Jennie it can be felt through her writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2016
I was fascinated to read the other Goodreads reviews of this biography, written in the 1960s by Jenny Churchill's great-niece. Especially the review that said none of her affairs were ever mentioned, the book was full of typos, and the French phrases within the letters of the family should have been translated into English...
I would say that at least some of the affairs were very clearly mentioned in the terms of the period in which the book was written; in the 1960s it was obvious to all that if a gentleman, like Count Kinsky, was Lady Churchill's usual breakfast companion then he had clearly stayed the night...
I saw only four typos in the entire book - two where a number had been mistyped as a letter - zoo for 200 and soo for 500 - and two missed spaces between words; following that review I was looking for them! Perhaps the reviewer was American and did not realise that the biography, written by an English woman, would be in English rather than American.
I had no problem coping with the smattering of French in the family letters, despite it being well over 40 years since my last lesson in the language, and I think it would have been insulting to both the letter-writers and the reader, and distracting, to have had translations scattered around.
The author had access to many, many, family letters, and also had the chance to talk, as one relative to another, to family members who were still alive in the 1960s which helps make this quite an intimate biography in many ways. I feel I know the story of Jenny, and her sisters, so much better now and gained, along the way, interesting insights into both Edward 7th and Winston Churchill so, all in all, reading time well spent.
I would say that at least some of the affairs were very clearly mentioned in the terms of the period in which the book was written; in the 1960s it was obvious to all that if a gentleman, like Count Kinsky, was Lady Churchill's usual breakfast companion then he had clearly stayed the night...
I saw only four typos in the entire book - two where a number had been mistyped as a letter - zoo for 200 and soo for 500 - and two missed spaces between words; following that review I was looking for them! Perhaps the reviewer was American and did not realise that the biography, written by an English woman, would be in English rather than American.
I had no problem coping with the smattering of French in the family letters, despite it being well over 40 years since my last lesson in the language, and I think it would have been insulting to both the letter-writers and the reader, and distracting, to have had translations scattered around.
The author had access to many, many, family letters, and also had the chance to talk, as one relative to another, to family members who were still alive in the 1960s which helps make this quite an intimate biography in many ways. I feel I know the story of Jenny, and her sisters, so much better now and gained, along the way, interesting insights into both Edward 7th and Winston Churchill so, all in all, reading time well spent.
October 6, 2022
✔️Published in the United Kingdom in 1969.
While a lengthy book, this is a interesting look at the life of Jennie Jerome Churchill. I like the writing style of Anita Leslie, who also happens to be a descent of Churchill.
I leaved quite a bit by reading this work.
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🏮Kindle Unlimited version.
While a lengthy book, this is a interesting look at the life of Jennie Jerome Churchill. I like the writing style of Anita Leslie, who also happens to be a descent of Churchill.
When Aunt Jennie departed she seemed to have left her mark in every room; not only her favourite initialled music books remained, but ball gowns from the distant past — too good to throw away, and impossible to give to the poor — were left hanging in the big attic cupboards — white brocade, pink brocade and one in stiff orange ribbed silk. We were shown the white Alencon lace parasol made to match her wedding gown and a multitude of things in almost every room, objects of amber or tortoiseshell with Jennie’s name in gold, lorgnettes, hat pins, mirrors. She loved presents — she received and she gave continuously.
I leaved quite a bit by reading this work.
✿●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●✿●✿●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●✿
🏮Kindle Unlimited version.
March 19, 2016
I thought this book was awful. The typo's were so great that you could not even use contest clues to figure out what the author was trying to say. The author also dropped in so many French lines, without giving any clue as to what they mean. The phrase " that terrible summer" or which ever season it was, was used like a million times! The book really gave no insight to Jennie Churchill. It also made her look like a saint when in truth she had affairs with everyone. I am very sorry I wasted my time with this book.
April 7, 2016
An insightful read
This story was really more telling about
Jennie Jerome, who married into British Aristocracy and became the mother of Winston Churchill. Through personal correspondence to the author's memories of her aunt, we get a more indepth look into the life of Victorian England, how women lived their married lives and raised their children. Jennie was a. Very interesting woman. A very liberated woman. A very passionate woman. A must read if you like Victorian England and the people who lived in it
This story was really more telling about
Jennie Jerome, who married into British Aristocracy and became the mother of Winston Churchill. Through personal correspondence to the author's memories of her aunt, we get a more indepth look into the life of Victorian England, how women lived their married lives and raised their children. Jennie was a. Very interesting woman. A very liberated woman. A very passionate woman. A must read if you like Victorian England and the people who lived in it
February 5, 2016
Well crafted biography
I have no idea what made me choose this book but I am better for the reading. Letters, often written daily, authenticate this capricious woman's life. Her husband and famed son take over some chapters but all in all, it is a wonderful glimpse of Edwardian times, as enjoyed by the most wealthy. So many parties. Jennie was the epitome of the lovely bright, well bred socialite.
I have no idea what made me choose this book but I am better for the reading. Letters, often written daily, authenticate this capricious woman's life. Her husband and famed son take over some chapters but all in all, it is a wonderful glimpse of Edwardian times, as enjoyed by the most wealthy. So many parties. Jennie was the epitome of the lovely bright, well bred socialite.
July 5, 2016
The book wasn't what I expected but I enjoyed it. She was a fascinating person. Since the author was a relative, she was able to give insight through family stories and personal letters that others may not have. I gave it 3 stars just because it was a slow read in the beginning. It was hard for me to keep up with who was who. It picked up later in the the book when Winston is older and starts his career.
February 6, 2016
Jennie
A fascinating true story of Winston Churchill's American mother. An incredible beauty and intelligent woman. Written with Churchill's concentration as well as other family members, Jenny is a brilliant book.
A fascinating true story of Winston Churchill's American mother. An incredible beauty and intelligent woman. Written with Churchill's concentration as well as other family members, Jenny is a brilliant book.
February 27, 2016
It was an enjoyable read would have preferred photos to be included. The author is a great neice of the subject.
March 16, 2016
Really, don't bother.
More about Winston than Jennie. Generally a disappointment. But I finished it, so that says there was enough interest to keep going.
More about Winston than Jennie. Generally a disappointment. But I finished it, so that says there was enough interest to keep going.
March 27, 2016
This lady is one of the most fascinating, intelligent, charming amazing people I've ever read about.
To have met her would have been such an experience!
To have met her would have been such an experience!
June 14, 2016
Interesting information.
January 8, 2017
Review to come. In two words: INFORMATIVE and ILLUMINATING
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews