Jennie: The life of Lady Randolph Churchill

by Anita Leslie

Excellent Book

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Memoir

370 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Anita Theodosia Moira (Leslie) Rodzianko King

Daughter of Sir Shane Leslie, Bt. and wife of Commander William Donald Aelian "Bill" King, DSO*, DSC, RN.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This account of the life of Jennie Jerome (Mrs. Randolph) Churchill, was written by her great-niece, Anita Leslie. That gives her access to a lot of family letters and other interesting stories that she heard first hand from her grandmother, but it probably also gives her a slight bias in favor of Mrs. Churchill.

She must have been a very dynamic woman. Evidence, beyond having produced a man the value and caliber of Winston Churchill, can be found in the kind of acceptance she had among the peerage in England and her sustained appeal and energy until her unexpected death brought on my a fall. She was a huge influence on her sons and is largely responsible for Winston Churchill's attitude and abilities.

After the death of Winston's father, Randolph, she married twice...both times to men seriously younger than herself. The first was Winston's age and the second even younger than her son. In both instances, there appears to have been true and lasting devotion.

I could not help thinking about Edith Wharton's tales of American women seeking titled husbands in England. Perhaps the life of Jennie Churchill helped flush those tales and give them life. I enjoyed reading about her life and the early life of Winston Churchill as well. It made me realize how much I do not know about this man for whom I have always had so much admiration.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I primarily picked this up because judging by the biographer name I knew she was a relative--a great niece in fact. This is a difficult book to read because of the writing style. I feel like she uses personal letters as filler and there is plenty of filler. The first half of the book is husband heavy (Randolph) and the second half is Winston heavy. Poor Jack is another afterthought, but very interesting tidbits about Montagu Porch (3rd husband, three years younger then Winston) and Bourke Cockran...If I were to write a book about Winston Churchill it would center around his relationship with Bourke Cochran.

[Bonnye Reed]

MyNextRead

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting life of an American society beauty and mother of Winston Churchill.Anita was her niece so had access to many letters and family stories which enhance her story.It’s an insight into late Victorian and Edwardian society.It’s probably a bit long as parties and dances are described in fair detail which didn’t really interest me but her life was an interesting one.Married 3 times,the last two to much younger men and with many admirers,she possessed a lively personality which enthralled the more staid English society.Of course the real interest is how she handled her eldest son,Winston.Her husband ,Randolph, seems to have hardly seen Winston,rose quickly to be become Chancellor and then resigned never to hold office again and slowly died of syphilis.What a story !She did try to help Winston with her contacts and did.Winston wished for fame and to emulate his dad which he eventually spectacularly did.Worth a read but a bit too long.

[Ann McGuinness · Rating 4 out of 5]

an insider’s view of Victorian and later aristocratic life

This is an enjoyable read, that gives an insight into the lifestyle of British high society- a very privileged class- in Victorian and Edwardian times. It demonstrates their attitudes to politics, the empire, money, family, morals.
It is actually a social commentary, revealed through letters, diaries, contemporary newspaper articles and recollections of some.
I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in social history.

[Roger Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating Person

I loved this biography. A dear friend was related to Jennie through his mother and I was anxious to know who she was. The author seems to have had volumes of correspondence to work with. With Julian Fellows period television drama now being so popular, it made the biography come alive. Thank You, Ms Leslie, for a wonderful biography.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I personally knew her

This book written by her great niece who uses letters as part of the narrative to draw the reader into the family. To me she is no longer Winston Churchill's mother which is all I knew about her before reading this. She is an extraordinary woman who lead a full and at times amazing life.

[Sue G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like her writing style so found it difficult to read. One of the rare times I could not finish a book.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written … Anita Leslies most certainly loved and appreciated Jennie it can be felt through her writing.

[Voirrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated to read the other Goodreads reviews of this biography, written in the 1960s by Jenny Churchill's great-niece. Especially the review that said none of her affairs were ever mentioned, the book was full of typos, and the French phrases within the letters of the family should have been translated into English...

I would say that at least some of the affairs were very clearly mentioned in the terms of the period in which the book was written; in the 1960s it was obvious to all that if a gentleman, like Count Kinsky, was Lady Churchill's usual breakfast companion then he had clearly stayed the night...

I saw only four typos in the entire book - two where a number had been mistyped as a letter - zoo for 200 and soo for 500 - and two missed spaces between words; following that review I was looking for them! Perhaps the reviewer was American and did not realise that the biography, written by an English woman, would be in English rather than American.

I had no problem coping with the smattering of French in the family letters, despite it being well over 40 years since my last lesson in the language, and I think it would have been insulting to both the letter-writers and the reader, and distracting, to have had translations scattered around.

The author had access to many, many, family letters, and also had the chance to talk, as one relative to another, to family members who were still alive in the 1960s which helps make this quite an intimate biography in many ways. I feel I know the story of Jenny, and her sisters, so much better now and gained, along the way, interesting insights into both Edward 7th and Winston Churchill so, all in all, reading time well spent.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

✔️Published in the United Kingdom in 1969.

While a lengthy book, this is a interesting look at the life of Jennie Jerome Churchill. I like the writing style of Anita Leslie, who also happens to be a descent of Churchill.

When Aunt Jennie departed she seemed to have left her mark in every room; not only her favourite initialled music books remained, but ball gowns from the distant past — too good to throw away, and impossible to give to the poor — were left hanging in the big attic cupboards — white brocade, pink brocade and one in stiff orange ribbed silk. We were shown the white Alencon lace parasol made to match her wedding gown and a multitude of things in almost every room, objects of amber or tortoiseshell with Jennie’s name in gold, lorgnettes, hat pins, mirrors. She loved presents — she received and she gave continuously.

I leaved quite a bit by reading this work.

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🏮Kindle Unlimited version.

[Anne Schell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book was awful. The typo's were so great that you could not even use contest clues to figure out what the author was trying to say. The author also dropped in so many French lines, without giving any clue as to what they mean. The phrase " that terrible summer" or which ever season it was, was used like a million times! The book really gave no insight to Jennie Churchill. It also made her look like a saint when in truth she had affairs with everyone. I am very sorry I wasted my time with this book.

[Patti Fischetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read

This story was really more telling about
Jennie Jerome, who married into British Aristocracy and became the mother of Winston Churchill. Through personal correspondence to the author's memories of her aunt, we get a more indepth look into the life of Victorian England, how women lived their married lives and raised their children. Jennie was a. Very interesting woman. A very liberated woman. A very passionate woman. A must read if you like Victorian England and the people who lived in it

[Mark S. Brictson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted biography

I have no idea what made me choose this book but I am better for the reading. Letters, often written daily, authenticate this capricious woman's life. Her husband and famed son take over some chapters but all in all, it is a wonderful glimpse of Edwardian times, as enjoyed by the most wealthy. So many parties. Jennie was the epitome of the lovely bright, well bred socialite.

[Charlotte Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book wasn't what I expected but I enjoyed it. She was a fascinating person. Since the author was a relative, she was able to give insight through family stories and personal letters that others may not have. I gave it 3 stars just because it was a slow read in the beginning. It was hard for me to keep up with who was who. It picked up later in the the book when Winston is older and starts his career.

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennie

A fascinating true story of Winston Churchill's American mother. An incredible beauty and intelligent woman. Written with Churchill's concentration as well as other family members, Jenny is a brilliant book.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read would have preferred photos to be included. The author is a great neice of the subject.

[Beth A Alverson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really, don't bother.

More about Winston than Jennie. Generally a disappointment. But I finished it, so that says there was enough interest to keep going.

[Lori Watson koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lady is one of the most fascinating, intelligent, charming amazing people I've ever read about.
To have met her would have been such an experience!

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting information.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come. In two words: INFORMATIVE and ILLUMINATING