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Jennie: The Life of the American Beauty Who Became the Toast—and Scandal—of Two Continents, Ruled an Age and Raised a Son—Winston Churchill—Who Shaped History
"A master work—Jennie was released to a public that became entranced by her story, and will again be now that she is back in print in this magnificent single volume."
-from the foreword by Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill
Sourcebooks is bringing the internationally acclaimed New York Times bestseller back for a new generation of readers.
Jennie Churchill was not merely Winston's mother. She was the most captivating and desired woman of her age. Originally from Brooklyn, Jennie became the reigning queen of British society. Beautiful and defiant, she lived with an honesty that made her the talk of two continents.
Sir Martin Gilbert, official biographer of Winston Churchill, writes that Jennie is, "a master work" that "pulses with energy as the author leads us from her cradle to relatively early grave, at the age of sixty-seven, of a woman who finally emerges—under his guiding hand—from the shadow of being a great man's mother, to being a woman in her own right."
-from the foreword by Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill
Sourcebooks is bringing the internationally acclaimed New York Times bestseller back for a new generation of readers.
Jennie Churchill was not merely Winston's mother. She was the most captivating and desired woman of her age. Originally from Brooklyn, Jennie became the reigning queen of British society. Beautiful and defiant, she lived with an honesty that made her the talk of two continents.
Sir Martin Gilbert, official biographer of Winston Churchill, writes that Jennie is, "a master work" that "pulses with energy as the author leads us from her cradle to relatively early grave, at the age of sixty-seven, of a woman who finally emerges—under his guiding hand—from the shadow of being a great man's mother, to being a woman in her own right."
768 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
153 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Ralph G. Martin
66 books8 followersRalph G. Martin was an American journalist who authored or co-authored about thirty books, including popular biographies of recent historical figures, among which, Jennie, a two-volume (1969 and 1971) study of Winston Churchill's American mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, became the most prominent bestseller. Other successful tomes focused on British royal romance (Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson in 1974, as well as Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1985) and on the Kennedy family (John F. Kennedy in 1983 and Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. in 1995).
Born in Chicago, Martin was eight years old when his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. He studied at City College of New York and, subsequently, the University of Missouri, where he graduated in 1941 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
Twenty-one years old upon receiving his diploma, Martin decided to hitchhike and found a newspaper job at the Box Elder News Journal which served Brigham City, the county seat of Utah's Box Elder County. In December, following the U.S. declaration of war in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Martin enlisted in the Army and spent the war as a combat correspondent for the Armed Forces newspaper Stars and Stripes and the Army weekly magazine, Yank. In 1944, after having interviewed New York City's mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, for Yank, Martin asked La Guardia to perform his marriage ceremony to Marjorie Pastel.
Returning to civilian life in 1945, Martin began working as editor for news and analysis publications Newsweek and The New Republic and became executive editor at decorating and domestic arts magazine House Beautiful. During the months preceding the 1952 and 1956 presidential elections, he served as a member of the campaign staff for the Democratic nominee, Adlai Stevenson.
Having lived for years in the Connecticut town of Westport, near New York City, Martin moved to the Kendal on Hudson retirement community in another of the city's suburbs, Sleepy Hollow, where he died seven-and-a-half weeks before his 93rd birthday. He and his wife Marjorie were the parents of two daughters and a son.
Born in Chicago, Martin was eight years old when his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. He studied at City College of New York and, subsequently, the University of Missouri, where he graduated in 1941 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
Twenty-one years old upon receiving his diploma, Martin decided to hitchhike and found a newspaper job at the Box Elder News Journal which served Brigham City, the county seat of Utah's Box Elder County. In December, following the U.S. declaration of war in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Martin enlisted in the Army and spent the war as a combat correspondent for the Armed Forces newspaper Stars and Stripes and the Army weekly magazine, Yank. In 1944, after having interviewed New York City's mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, for Yank, Martin asked La Guardia to perform his marriage ceremony to Marjorie Pastel.
Returning to civilian life in 1945, Martin began working as editor for news and analysis publications Newsweek and The New Republic and became executive editor at decorating and domestic arts magazine House Beautiful. During the months preceding the 1952 and 1956 presidential elections, he served as a member of the campaign staff for the Democratic nominee, Adlai Stevenson.
Having lived for years in the Connecticut town of Westport, near New York City, Martin moved to the Kendal on Hudson retirement community in another of the city's suburbs, Sleepy Hollow, where he died seven-and-a-half weeks before his 93rd birthday. He and his wife Marjorie were the parents of two daughters and a son.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 31, 2024
I enjoyed this audiobook much more than I expected. I initially planned to just give it a try, but it really pulled me in. Even after 26 hours, I'm sad to see it end.
October 11, 2020
Sometimes you are just in a mood to read a really long, detailed biography of a really interesting woman. What? Everyone doesn’t get in those moods? It’s just me? Oh well. This look at the incredible life of Jennie Jerome Churchill makes abundantly clear that she should be remembered for so much more than just giving birth to Winston Churchill. Born in America and married into British high society, Jennie was an incredibly driven life-long learner and “do-er”. If one was writing fiction, it would be absurd to have your main character be involved in politics and election campaigning AND wartime nursing AND editor of a literary magazine AND a write plays – all while working her connections for friends and family. This bio is wonderfully detailed and the excerpts – from Jennie, from friends, and from contemporary sources – gives an added layer of richness. However, I will say there are a LOT of long quotes in here and I did skim rather liberally through some of them. Overall, this was an incredibly inspiring read and a great reminder that one’s ability to live fully doesn’t end when the marriage does or the kids are grown or when the hair starts to grow grey. One can only dream what more Jennie might have achieved if she had been given even five more years or another decade.
April 27, 2016
I admit it; before I read this book I had a rather ho-hum opinion on Jennie. In the books I've read on Churchill she always seemed to be an aloof and selfish character that only took interest in her sons when they had something to offer her. Having said that, and read this book, I have revised my opinion.
Martin goes to great depths to show the woman that Jennie Jerome Churchill was; it's easy to see that Winston took after her. While politicking and partying with (and for) her husband she still was involved with her children and close to her family. Her roles with charity, her magazine, etc made her a trailblazer at a time when in some circles it was unpopular for a women to do so. She was a more vibrant and fierce soul than I realized and lived life on the edge and to the fullest. There was nothing she felt she could not do. I wish I could be as fearless.
Side note: I do have one issue with the book. Why are there no pictures? Who writes a biography and doesn't include pictures?! I realize I could open any Churchill biography to see family pictures, but including some that would have been more exclusively Jennie and the Jerome side would have been nice.
Martin goes to great depths to show the woman that Jennie Jerome Churchill was; it's easy to see that Winston took after her. While politicking and partying with (and for) her husband she still was involved with her children and close to her family. Her roles with charity, her magazine, etc made her a trailblazer at a time when in some circles it was unpopular for a women to do so. She was a more vibrant and fierce soul than I realized and lived life on the edge and to the fullest. There was nothing she felt she could not do. I wish I could be as fearless.
Side note: I do have one issue with the book. Why are there no pictures? Who writes a biography and doesn't include pictures?! I realize I could open any Churchill biography to see family pictures, but including some that would have been more exclusively Jennie and the Jerome side would have been nice.
January 12, 2015
Do not be intimidated by the page count. Although big, with small print, this book is surprisingly easy to read. Jennie is a fascinating woman who lived life on her own terms (no apologies) who raised one of the most famous Prime Ministers/world leaders. She was one of the first "Dollar Princesses" and certainly the one to turn British society on it's head. She did everything from hosting parties to building hospital ships. My major complaint about this book are the few specific photos mentioned did not have photos any where in the book. No photos for the book that references photos and has PLENTY of blank pages between chapters. If you ever want to know anything about Jack Churchill (Winston's brother) this is the book. I actually now have a sense of him despite reading several Churchill family books.
January 9, 2025
I have always found Jennie Jerome fascinating, so it was high time I gave her the time her incredible life is due. This is a behemoth of a biography but entirely justified. Lady Randolph Churchill was such a modern, amazing woman. Far from perfect, true, but so industrious and charming and inspiring. You have to respect her impact on the modern world and that for being far more than just Winston Churchill's mother. She was a marvel and lived life to the absolute fullest. It's a dry and meticulous read, but worth it.
January 15, 2020
What an amazingly interesting life Jennie Jerome had. The book is fascinating. Her son, Winston, became the Prime Minister of Britain and he always spoke lovingly of his mother, though she was the typical mother of her generation and really did not see her children but so much. If you are into British history, Churchill you would enjoy reading this book.
January 16, 2022
Although it took a while to finish, I loved this book. It takes you, through the protagonist’s life, to most of the major events and important characters of XIXth century England. Even tough it is lengthy, it does not get tiresome to read, thanks to the detailed quotes and anecdotes that build a solid storyline. A pleasure to get to know the amazing woman Jennie was!
January 22, 2024
Masterful
This was an excellent biography and would appeal to any history buff (especially one interested in the Gilded Age). I had no idea of Jennie’s influence on society and everything that she had a hand in. She was an amazing woman and Ralph Martin did a great job of resurrecting her. It’s long, but I highly recommend this book. I had a hard time putting it down.
This was an excellent biography and would appeal to any history buff (especially one interested in the Gilded Age). I had no idea of Jennie’s influence on society and everything that she had a hand in. She was an amazing woman and Ralph Martin did a great job of resurrecting her. It’s long, but I highly recommend this book. I had a hard time putting it down.
April 28, 2020
Excellent !
Jenny Jerome Churchill was a women ahead of time! What an amazing force of nature she must have been. She would have loved so much about todays world I think!
The book was so well written, so enjoyable! I would have loved to have known this remarkable woman!
Jenny Jerome Churchill was a women ahead of time! What an amazing force of nature she must have been. She would have loved so much about todays world I think!
The book was so well written, so enjoyable! I would have loved to have known this remarkable woman!
May 4, 2024
This is a well written book about an amazing woman.
June 27, 2016
Jeannette "Jennie" Jerome was born in Brooklyn in 1854 and was the second of four daughters born to Leonard and Clarissa "Clara" Jerome. After a string of flagrant affairs committed by her father, Jennie's mother moved her children to Paris. It was there as a teenager that Jennie met Lord Randolph Churchill, the second son of the Duke of Marlborough. After a brief courtship, the two determined to marry, but the marriage was initially opposed by both families, who each felt the other was not good enough for their child. Yet Randolph and Jennie prevailed and were married, followed swiftly by the birth of Winston and later by his brother Jack. Although Jennie and Randolph appear to have married for love, the marriage was not altogether happy and was exacerbated by Jennie's flirtations (and affairs) with other men and Randolph's increased symptoms of syphilis. He eventually succumbed to the disease at the age of 45.
In some ways, this biography is showing its age. Originally published at a time when it was likely still untoward to dissect a subject's sexual history, Martin seems to dance around the issue of Jennie's infidelity and love affairs. Jennie's love affairs are acknowledged with statements such as "another of Jennie's conquests" (213) or more explicitly "Prince Edward was soon giving Jennie presents of expensive jewelry; and it was well known that he seldom gave such gifts to a woman with whom he was not having an affair" (138). Yet in many cases, the issue is danced around, with no explicit reference to her sexual relationships or the implications of a married woman being unfaithful during this time period.
Furthermore, I was disappointed in the lack of detail of many of the key players in Jennie's life. In many ways, this book is a focus on not only Jennie, but also Winston. Yet other prominent figures in her life, including her sisters, her son Jack, and her grandchildren are largely absent or only referred to in very remote and minor ways. Despite claiming that the "three sisters were so close that they were in a kind of spiritual unity," I had little impression of what Jennie's two sisters were like by the end of this text (304). Even more glaring an absence, I was surprised at how much her grandchildren are skimmed over in this text, without even their names being given in the account of their births. In some ways it seemed as if Martin grew eager to wrap up the conclusion of this biography, and hastily plowed through the last few years of Jennie's life, only briefly referencing her later years as a grandmother, her third marriage, and her death.
Yet despite these flaws, this was a richly informative biography that revealed a much more complex and interesting figure than the "distant" mother often attributed to Winston Churchill. Instead, we see a woman held in high regard by her son and who dedicated much of her life to him and who was instrumental in his political success. Most importantly, Jennie was Winston's ally, a critical player for a son of a vastly indifferent father: "His mother was the only one he could always reach. She often kept her own distance and she did not always fall in with his wishes, but he knew how to focus on her guilt, knew how much he could persist. But most of all, he was sure of her love" (219).
Jennie was a captivating woman of many talents. She helped pave the trend of American wives for European aristocrats, her named was linked with many prominent men throughout her life, and she twice married men young enough to be her sons. She was smart and literary and deeply proud of being an American while being socially successful throughout Europe. She is most remembered for her famous son, yet was legendary in her own right. "In the course of a lifetime, Jennie was editor and publisher of an international literary magazine; organized a hospital ship for the Boer War and traveled with it for its first shipload of wounded; was a pianist of professional ability; took turns as playwright, author, reporter; directed national expositions and theatricals; single-handedly conducted political campaigns at a time when most women were not even permitted to attend the theater alone" (1-2).
In some ways, this biography is showing its age. Originally published at a time when it was likely still untoward to dissect a subject's sexual history, Martin seems to dance around the issue of Jennie's infidelity and love affairs. Jennie's love affairs are acknowledged with statements such as "another of Jennie's conquests" (213) or more explicitly "Prince Edward was soon giving Jennie presents of expensive jewelry; and it was well known that he seldom gave such gifts to a woman with whom he was not having an affair" (138). Yet in many cases, the issue is danced around, with no explicit reference to her sexual relationships or the implications of a married woman being unfaithful during this time period.
Furthermore, I was disappointed in the lack of detail of many of the key players in Jennie's life. In many ways, this book is a focus on not only Jennie, but also Winston. Yet other prominent figures in her life, including her sisters, her son Jack, and her grandchildren are largely absent or only referred to in very remote and minor ways. Despite claiming that the "three sisters were so close that they were in a kind of spiritual unity," I had little impression of what Jennie's two sisters were like by the end of this text (304). Even more glaring an absence, I was surprised at how much her grandchildren are skimmed over in this text, without even their names being given in the account of their births. In some ways it seemed as if Martin grew eager to wrap up the conclusion of this biography, and hastily plowed through the last few years of Jennie's life, only briefly referencing her later years as a grandmother, her third marriage, and her death.
Yet despite these flaws, this was a richly informative biography that revealed a much more complex and interesting figure than the "distant" mother often attributed to Winston Churchill. Instead, we see a woman held in high regard by her son and who dedicated much of her life to him and who was instrumental in his political success. Most importantly, Jennie was Winston's ally, a critical player for a son of a vastly indifferent father: "His mother was the only one he could always reach. She often kept her own distance and she did not always fall in with his wishes, but he knew how to focus on her guilt, knew how much he could persist. But most of all, he was sure of her love" (219).
Jennie was a captivating woman of many talents. She helped pave the trend of American wives for European aristocrats, her named was linked with many prominent men throughout her life, and she twice married men young enough to be her sons. She was smart and literary and deeply proud of being an American while being socially successful throughout Europe. She is most remembered for her famous son, yet was legendary in her own right. "In the course of a lifetime, Jennie was editor and publisher of an international literary magazine; organized a hospital ship for the Boer War and traveled with it for its first shipload of wounded; was a pianist of professional ability; took turns as playwright, author, reporter; directed national expositions and theatricals; single-handedly conducted political campaigns at a time when most women were not even permitted to attend the theater alone" (1-2).
February 1, 2024
I love nonfiction that reads like historical fiction. The use of actual letters, speeches, quotes, and facts allows the reader to really picture what life was like at the time and for the real people living it. I had no idea Winston Churchill’s Mom led such a fascinating life. So well researched and written!
September 29, 2013
Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill: "She had few saintly qualities. She was, of course, what her world was." Truly fascinating and magnificent woman. As with many biographers, the adoration of the biographer verged on hagiography and obscured some of the faulty humanness of the subject. Thus, four stars rather than five. That prism notwithstanding, Jennie was truly remarkable for her energy, harnessed vanity and absolute sense of surety despite despite being a woman in a distinctly man's world of politics and power. For those interested in the socio-cultural and political mores of the late Victorian age and their ultimate transformation by and through the close of WWI (I.e. Downton Abbey fans) this is a must-read.
In many respects she was the American, latter day version of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and her sister Harriet.
The author has a lovely way with words, particularly when skewering fools. Favorite quotes are many:
Of political adversaries: Never was so much intelligence so blithely misdirected.
Of one of Jennie's compeers: If her sense of fun was acute, her wit was not
Of Jennie and by far the best: "She had few saintly qualities. She was, of course, what her world was."
A cited quote by a headmaster of Winston Churschill, "he is so regular in his irregularity I know not what to do"
A Winston quote on a political foe, "An inebriate regulating a chronometer with a crowbar.,
An admirer on Jennie: "a delightful compound of flagrant worldliness and eternal childhood."
In many respects she was the American, latter day version of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and her sister Harriet.
The author has a lovely way with words, particularly when skewering fools. Favorite quotes are many:
Of political adversaries: Never was so much intelligence so blithely misdirected.
Of one of Jennie's compeers: If her sense of fun was acute, her wit was not
Of Jennie and by far the best: "She had few saintly qualities. She was, of course, what her world was."
A cited quote by a headmaster of Winston Churschill, "he is so regular in his irregularity I know not what to do"
A Winston quote on a political foe, "An inebriate regulating a chronometer with a crowbar.,
An admirer on Jennie: "a delightful compound of flagrant worldliness and eternal childhood."
Read
August 13, 2016Anyone who has read Edith Wharton will recognize the quintessential 'buccaneer' here, as Jennie Jerome and her sisters blithely sail to England to marry their wealth to the British aristocracy. The biography is especially interesting if one reads it either before or after Churchill's own autobiographical writings, in addition to one of the many Winston Churchill bios in order to put Winston's words into perspective.
Exhaustively researched, this is a solid introduction to the fin de siecle generation of the Churchills; it paints an interesting picture of New York society during the late nineteenth century and then contrasts it with British society. Included among the fascinating personalities with whom Jennie came into contact is the Prince of Wales, but I thought it was particularly good, if painful, in depicting Randolph Churchill's life, his rise, and then horrible slide into madness, propelled by the disease the family worked hard to keep hidden.
It's interesting to compare the Churchills here to Grammont's stories about the ancestors who first propelled the family to fame. Adventurers, in every sense of the word, all.
Exhaustively researched, this is a solid introduction to the fin de siecle generation of the Churchills; it paints an interesting picture of New York society during the late nineteenth century and then contrasts it with British society. Included among the fascinating personalities with whom Jennie came into contact is the Prince of Wales, but I thought it was particularly good, if painful, in depicting Randolph Churchill's life, his rise, and then horrible slide into madness, propelled by the disease the family worked hard to keep hidden.
It's interesting to compare the Churchills here to Grammont's stories about the ancestors who first propelled the family to fame. Adventurers, in every sense of the word, all.
August 2, 2014
Incredible person, rather gives me an inferiority complex by comparison. Still, tons and tons of footnotes, some of which are interesting to read, so it's rather hard to read on an electronic device. If I had thought about it, I would have put it on two, one to read and one to refer back to just to make sure I'm not missing one of the fun points.
Sometimes the author repeats things, as if he'd done so much research, he couldn't remember what he'd already said previously. This might be the effect of it having been originally two volumes.
Sometimes the author repeats things, as if he'd done so much research, he couldn't remember what he'd already said previously. This might be the effect of it having been originally two volumes.
September 30, 2020
Hard to imagine there is anything left about Lady Churchill's life that is unknown, after Ralph Martin's thorough biography of one of the most interesting women of her era.
Martin is understated as he tells his tale of Winston Churchill's mother, moving among members of high society and European nobility. She carves out her access and uses it for great achievements and satisfying liaisons. The tale has its share of gossip and scandal in Victorian and Edwardian Britain.
Martin is understated as he tells his tale of Winston Churchill's mother, moving among members of high society and European nobility. She carves out her access and uses it for great achievements and satisfying liaisons. The tale has its share of gossip and scandal in Victorian and Edwardian Britain.
November 17, 2013
A very thorough biography of the mother of Winston Churchill. So many facts I didn't know, intriguing and funny anecdotes about her life, her loves and passions, and how in many ways, she shaped the man who would become the leader during England's finest hour. The research Mr. Martin did on his subject was exhaustive.
September 26, 2014
Interesting (is this what I always say?)
I love Winston so I was interested in his mother.
He was devoted to her in spite of her neglect of him.
She comes to a sad end.
I love Winston so I was interested in his mother.
He was devoted to her in spite of her neglect of him.
She comes to a sad end.
September 24, 2013
Very interesting!
Read
December 6, 2013Very interesting story of another American heiress who married a needy British lord, but I recommend The Churchills in Love and war by Mary S. Lovell!!
May 17, 2014
A bio on Jennie Churchill; not easy reading but interesting for historical info given of that time period and input on Winston Churchill's early life.
July 9, 2014
Was motivated to read the book after seeing the series about Jennie on PBS. Want to read it again.
Want to read
August 30, 2014I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12870578
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12870578
March 13, 2015
Took forever to read, but wow, really informative!
March 13, 2015
Well written. Jenny have a very interesting life.
May 24, 2015
long, long read but interesting
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews