Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill written by Sonia Purnell
BOOK CLUB CHOICE, November 2021
Reviewed by: Gina Steele
A Washington Post Review stated “Purnell’s extensive and insightful biography offers a much welcome portrait of Clementine Churchill whose remarkable life has long been overshadowed by her famous husband.”
Purnell wrote that “ Clementine was so much more than an extension of her husband. Like him, she relentlessly privileged the national interest about her health and family; her list of achievements would put many present-day government ministers, speechwriters, charity chiefs, ambassadors, activists, spin doctors, MPs and hospital managers to shame.” Winston is considered one of the “Great Men of History”. However, his Chief of Staff firmly believed that “without Clementine the history of Winston Churchill and of the world would have been a very different story.”
Winston, the embodiment of British courage and resolve, the receptacle of the nation’s fire and brimstone, took his strength from Clemmie.” She shored up his inadequacies, moderated his extremes and stopped him from making countless mistakes. She was his ultimate authority, his conscience and the nearest he had to a direct line to the people. Without her by his side it is difficult if not impossible to imagine his becoming the single-minded giant who led Britain against impossible odds, to victory over tyranny. Theirs was the ultimate coalition. Nothing has been seen like it to this day.
For her service to her country Clementine was honoured by three British monarchs and by the Soviet Union. Purnell more than succeeds in this biography in giving a full accounting of Clementine’s service to Great Britain and of the love, guidance and support she gave to one of histories’ great men.
To learn more about Clementine Churchill, the Book Club recommends an interesting 15 minute video on YouTube where Bridget Osborne spoke to Sonia Purnell, about the background and history of Clementine. To view this interview:
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 