The Churchills: A Family Portrait

The Churchills: A Family Portrait

by Celia Lee (Author), Celia Lee (Author), John Lee (Author)

Synopsis

Winston Churchill is possibly the most famous British leader, but a shroud of mystery still surrounds the Churchill clan. Myths propigated both by Wintson's political enemies as well as the family members themselves, persist to this day. Here, for the first time, authors John and Celia Lee cut through the rumors and lies and get to the truth about the life of the former Prime Minister and his relationship with his family. Through their unique access to the private papers of the Churchill family, the Lees have made some incredbile and surprising new discoveries, including: - Winston's mother systematically robbed both her sons of their rightful inheritance - Winston's bestselling autobiography, My Early Life is a carefully crafted myth that has colored every subsequent book about him - Lord Randolph did not die of syphilis; this was a political slur - Winston was not an illegitimate child, as many have claimed; he was just premature at birth - Winston was sustained through life by a loving and resilient brother, who had just as promising career in the military before having to give it up for the sake of his family's financial security

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Edition: 1st
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Published: 11 Feb 2010

ISBN 10: 0230618103
ISBN 13: 9780230618107

Media Reviews
'The Lees have succeeded in providing a clear insight into the family life of Winston and his brother Jack, whilst shedding new light on the important relationship with their parents, Randolph and Jennie. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Churchills.'--Randolph L. S. Churchill 'Celia and John Lee, in a book that is determined to give the invisible Churchill his due!succeed in returning Jack to his proper place in the story of the family.' The Sunday Times 'By their careful re-reading of the known letters between the principal characters, and the blending in of new material from Peregrine Churchill's archive, Celia and John Lee add enormously to our understanding of the great Churchill family.'--Allen Packwood, Director, Churchill Archives Centre, University of Cambridge 'Prepare to have almost everything you thought you knew about Winston Churchill's upbringing completely revised.' - The Mail on Sunday 'A fascinating new book by Celia and John Lee, who were granted unique access to the private papers of Winston's nephew, Peregrine Churchill, is set to challenge common misunderstandings about the family dynamic. The Lees have done Churchillian history a great service with their diligence, throwing light on a part of the story that has not hitherto been fully understood.'--Andrew Roberts, author of Masters and Commanders and The Storm of War 'This book brings Winston's brother Jack into the picture as no previous work and is a valuable contribution to our knowledge.'--Richard M. Langworth CBE, Editor, Finest Hour, The Churchill Centre 'Well-written, engaging, and affecting. Not all siblings love each other and it speaks well of Jack and Winston that they did all their lives.'--Michael McMenamin, author of Becoming Winston Churchill '...intriguing revelations...' Evening Standard '...a fascinating new book...' Daily Express '!it is no slight achievement to have contributed a fresh insight into the life of such a well-documented family.' TLS '...It is vital that historians present history in its period, not adding a contemporary gloss. This is something that Celia [Lee] achieves superbly...' - The Belfast Telegraph
Author Bio
CELIA LEE is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Centre for First World War Studies at Birmingham University, UK, and a member of the BCMh, the WFA, the Gallipoli Association and the International Churchill Society. They live in London. JOHN LEE was an executive officer of the British Commission for Military History. He is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Centre for First World War Studies at Birmingham University, UK, and a member of the International Churchill Society. He is well known in these military history circles as a writer, lecturer and battlefield tour guide.