Speaking for Themselves: The Personal Letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill |
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Winston S. Churchill, Baroness Churchill Clementine Spencer-
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Pages: 736 (Paperback)
Editor: Mary Soames
ISBN: 0552997501
Pub: Black Swan
Pub date: 1999-08-05
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 157827
Editorial Review:
This comprehensive collection of personal correspondence between Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine has been authoritatively edited by their daughter Mary Soames. It is a hugely enjoyable volume as full of engaging family tittle-tattle as it is of monumental world events. Winston and Clementine married in 1908 and regularly corresponded until the year before Winston died in 1965. Reading these letters together they form what Mary Soames accurately calls "a lifelong dialogue".
They were very different people--Clementine being far more earnest, morally inflexible and a greater worrier than her husband--but they both genuinely loved as well as respected each other. In a letter Winston sent from the Dardanelles in 1915--to be opened in the event of his seemingly likely death--he not only explains how "since I met you my darling one I have been happy", he also formally commends his wife for teaching him "how noble a woman's heart can be". These letters were mostly written for each other's eyes only and Winston is always candid even about secrets from the heart of World War II. Using the most feeble of code names--Colonel Warden and Mrs Warden at one time--he happily gossips about colleagues and strategy in the certain knowledge that his indiscretion will not be exposed by his wife. A remarkable testament to an exceptional political and personal partnership. --Nick Wroe
Reader Reviews:
A Valuable insight (4/6 people found this helpful)
This is a truly wonderful insight into perhaps the most influential British politician of all time. I found the juxtaposition of the child like pet names Winston and Clementine had for each other, often expressed at times of national and global emergency, and the forthright classical Churchilllian dogma fascinating.
It will not explain the complexity of this statesman, but it will mek him (and her) more accesible.
A blissful listening experience (6/6 people found this helpful)
What image does the name Winston Churchill conjure? Prime Minister. Elder Statesman. Old man with overcoat and cigar. This tape gives us a surprising image of Churchill as lover, husband, and father. Those who would have been hard pressed to name Mrs. Churchill before listening to this tape will never forget her once they have heard it. The tape opens with letters written at the beginning of Winston and Clementine's acquaintance in 1908 and continues through their engagement, marriage, births of children, personal tragedy, and public triumph. Few of us can imagine Britain's wartime embodiment of the bulldog spirit sending "best love and kisses" from the bench of the House of Commons, or choosing brightly coloured wooden animals for his baby daughter, but his devotion to his beloved Clemmie and their Puppy-Kittens is undeniable. Clementine emerges as a character of great fortitude and humour. In one of the Blenheim housenotes which passed between the engaged couple after Winston's proposal, she concludes, "Je t'aime passionnement. I feel less shy in French." Originally broadcast in 15 minute episodes on Radio 4, the tapes may be listened to in short bursts, but the faultless characterizations by Alex Jennings and Sylvestra le Touzel give the letters added life and drama and make the tapes a blissful listening experience.
A publishing event (4/4 people found this helpful)
Speaking For Themselves is an extremely well packaged compendium of the personal letters between Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine edited by their daughter Mary Soames. Soames calls it a "labour of love" and you can see it was. The attention to detail in every facet makes the book a joy to hold. The letters are an intimate record of Britain's most famous hero. He wrote some remarkable letters to his wife, so frequently that you wonder that he had much time to do anything else. His wife was incredibly important to him and he believed in telling her often and sharing his work with her. The book is extraordinary and a publishing event in itself. It will appeal to every business person with an interest in history as well as every member of the family. Well worth stuffing in anyone's Christmas stocking at Amazon's special offer price of £17.50.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Political -> Britain -> Prime Ministers
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)