Clementine Churchill: A Life in Pictures

This is not just a "coffee table" book with "rarely seen pictures." Using the abridged edition of Sonia Purnell's biography, "FIRST LADY" and combining it with time appropriate pictures gives us a full view of this extraordinary woman. Clementine Churchill deserves recognition of the pivotal role she played in the life of Churchill and the events of WWII. After reading this book, I must now read FIRST LADY in the unabridged edition.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.As a history buff, I’ve read a lot about Winston Churchill, but ashamedly knew almost nothing about his wife Clementine, so when I saw this book, I jumped at the chance to read it.Clementine Churchill: A Life in Pictures has two things going for it for those that don’t normally read biography, or just don’t have the time for a 500 page tome. First off, it’s short, just over 200 pages, and while the author does give us a little insight into Clementine’s childhood and upbringing, the majority of the book is about her as Clementine Churchill, politician’s wife. Second, the photos! For me, I love having photos in the book while I’m reading a biography, or history. They give you a better sense of depth and understanding. Many times you can see the strain on the person’s face that the author is trying to describe, or see the changes in style, in this case, due to war.Clementine, or Clemmie as Winston and family referred to her as, was an amazing woman for her generation. Although she was from an upper class family, she was raised by a divorcee mother in often times destitute conditions. She was a beauty, intelligent, and definitely had her own opinions about the world, politics, and women’s roles. Although unable to vote herself, she was a great campaigner for Winston and was probably responsible for his many of his political successes. She often tried to temper his extremely conservative views during speeches in order to appeal to more voters, but often times he failed to listen, although this would change. She had an innate sense of what the populace was feeling, what the country needed, and she became a political celebrity in Britain much like Elenor Roosevelt did in the US during the same time period.Clementine had her faults too. She admittedly was not a caring and doting mother, and the relationships with her older children were strained. She also suffered from depression and other health issues throughout her life.Like Winston, Clementine dedicated her life to her country, knowing that some parts of her life would suffer, and that she would never be credited with the work or effort that she put into Winston, his career, her country, or the war.This book has made me eager to read more about Clementine. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves biographies, history, or women’s studies.

Last weekend, I had contractors working in my home and this book arrived at my doorstep. I had no idea that book was a big coffee table type of hardcover. In 6 hours, I read the book and browsed through all pictures in the book. Some of the pictures are made by famous photographers and are true works of art. I really enjoyed many of them and the most impressive one was the engagement portrait of young Clementine with insert of Winston that was published in the London newspaper.Winston Churchill is one of the most important figures of the modern day. His influence as British Prime Minister and the leader during WWII is what he will most be remembered for. But as most people know behind every powerful man is equally powerful woman. I never had a chance to learn much about Clementine Churchill and this biography helped me understand why. She was deeply private person and did not air her life to the public. However, her style, tenacity, good looks and political shrewdness, certainly helped Winston during his remarkable career and during their 40 year long marriage.After finishing the book, I am smitten by the image of this remarkable woman. I also understand the heavy emotional and physical pain that she had to endure by carrying on not just her public duty but also being married to willful, overbearing man like Winston. It was also interesting to learn more about the woman who identified herself more as an intellectual and her husband's professional partner than a wife and a mother which was very uncommon for that era.This is a remarkable book about an equally remarkable woman. If you have this book on your coffee table, it will be an immediate conversation starter.

This book Clementine Churchill: A Life in Pictures by Sonia Purnell is a beautiful book worthy of your coffee Table or prominent place in your bookcase. Although the pictures are not in color, many of the pictures at that time were black and white. As I grew up during this time, there was no news of Churchill’s wife, only passing pictures when they visited America during the war. I really appreciated this book as it shows just how much Churchill depended on Clementine and how she helped win that war. Reading books such as this gives readers an insight into the private lives of our leaders during these troubled times.Clementine Churchill was an amazing lady not born into the royal affairs of England but had a shoestring connection. She did not further her education was in a business for herself, when she met Winston. They fell in love and it became a joint project to further Winston’s political life. Through the rough times he did become Prime Minister as he had experience in the first World War. This book is a must read if you love history as it gives you an insight into the private lives of our leaders. It gave me more respect for the wives of our leaders during troubled times.The pictures of Clementine’s life in this book are amazing it fills you in as her life progressed. and covers almost every page in this book. She was a very active women and not motherly to her children when they were young, but they later became close to her. She lived a full life so it makes for a great book. Clementine Churchill: A Life in Pictures by Sonia Purnell is a winner.

loved thos book. it was illuminating and a compulsive read. talked to everyone about it.