Volume Two of JENNIE, the biography of Lady Randolph Churchill, is much like Volume One, and that is a good thing. The prose is beautiful and the research is first rate. The topic is also completely fascinating. Jennie Jerome Churchill was very much a liberated woman for her time. She could play piano extremely well and occasionally played for live audiences. She organized and edited her own literary journal, which contained works by some of the brightest minds on both sides of the Atlantic. During the Boer War in 1900, she raised the money to create a hospital ship to care for the wounded, and she served on the ship throughout its tenure. She wrote plays that were critically acclaimed. She was brilliant, creative, talented, and quite beautiful. She maintained her youthful looks and outlook into her sixties. Indeed, after her husband Randolph died in 1895, she had suitors galore. She eventually married a man twenty years younger and the same age as her son Winston.
Speaking of Winston, he and his brother Jack take up much of this second volume, as Jennie devotes considerable time and energy helping each of them launch a career.
Jennie's third husband is a few years younger than Winston.
She was a remarkable woman, and one I was very pleased to meet and come to know through the pages of this biography. The only drawback to the book is that author Ralph G. Martin uses lengthy quotes from letters, diaries, and newspapers. Many of the quotes could have been reduced considerably without sacrificing the tale. Still, this is an excellent biography, and the best you'll find on this amazing, energetic woman.
Volume One, which ends with the death of Randolph Churchill, should be read before Volume Two.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Submit a report
A few common reasons customers report reviews:
- Harassment, profanity
- Spam, advertisement, promotions
- Given in exchange for cash, discounts
When we get your report, we'll check if the review meets our Community guidelines. If it doesn't, we'll remove it.
Sorry, there was an error
Please try again later.Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2013
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
Her beauty and love affairs are continually the focus and not much else ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2016
