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Jennie
If she had been simply the mother of Winston Churchill, her place in history would have been assured. But Jennie was the most fascinating and desirable woman of her age. . . the girl from Brooklyn who became the absolute monarch of British society. . . the beautiful rebel who lived and loved with an honesty that made her the toast--and the scandal--of two continents. (from back cover)
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
12 people are currently reading
434 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 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 10, 2018
Known in history as Lady Randolph Churchill, Jennie Spencer Churchill was born in Brooklyn, NY to a wealthy family in 1854.
Renowned for her beauty, as well as for being a socialite, Jennie was also a talented musician and was quite adept at playing the piano. She worked as a magazine editor.
While enjoying a sailing regatta on the Isle of Wight in 1873, Jennie met Lord Randolph Churchill, having been introduced to him by the future King Edward VII. They immediately fell in love, and a scant 3 days later knew they wanted to marry and became engaged. The wedding, however, would not happen for some time, as the families of the two quarreled over settlements.
In 1874, Jennie gave birth to her first son, Winston, who would, of course, later become Prime Minister. Rumors abounded that she was pregnant at the time of marriage since Winston was born only 8 months later and was too large to be premature. The story was given that she gave birth following a fall, but it was never proven.
Lady Churchill was known to have some dalliances outside her marriage, and her sister steadfastly believed that her second son, John, was fathered by another man, most likely Evelyn Boscawen, 7th Viscount Fairmouth.
Although, as common for the wealthy at that time, her sons were mostly raised by nannies, Winston was known to worship his mother.
Randolph Churchill died in 1895, the end of the period covered in this book.
Renowned for her beauty, as well as for being a socialite, Jennie was also a talented musician and was quite adept at playing the piano. She worked as a magazine editor.
While enjoying a sailing regatta on the Isle of Wight in 1873, Jennie met Lord Randolph Churchill, having been introduced to him by the future King Edward VII. They immediately fell in love, and a scant 3 days later knew they wanted to marry and became engaged. The wedding, however, would not happen for some time, as the families of the two quarreled over settlements.
In 1874, Jennie gave birth to her first son, Winston, who would, of course, later become Prime Minister. Rumors abounded that she was pregnant at the time of marriage since Winston was born only 8 months later and was too large to be premature. The story was given that she gave birth following a fall, but it was never proven.
Lady Churchill was known to have some dalliances outside her marriage, and her sister steadfastly believed that her second son, John, was fathered by another man, most likely Evelyn Boscawen, 7th Viscount Fairmouth.
Although, as common for the wealthy at that time, her sons were mostly raised by nannies, Winston was known to worship his mother.
Randolph Churchill died in 1895, the end of the period covered in this book.
April 28, 2016
I am glad I just happened across this book, and decided to read it , I knew almost nothing about Winston Churchill's Mother, except that she was an American. She was Beautiful, Intelligent, ambitious and was very popular with European Society and European Royalty. she was politically Driven, She campaigned and wrote a majority of her husbands speeches. Her goal was to further her husbands political career, was for him to be Prime Minister of Great Britain. She raised her kids, using a nanny for education and raising, as was poplar in the social elite of European Society. She became father and mother Winston and his brother, Jack. She fell in love with Randolph Churchill after meeting him one time and decided to marry him on their second meeting. Randolph was hardly ever home, either campaigning or traveling world wide. Randolph never had time for the boys. She found out after her marriage that her husband was in the later stages of Syphilis which he ultimately died from. in her loneliness, She was tide romantically to many lovers including the Duke of Wales. The book ends at her husbands death. I cant wait to read Volume II.
September 5, 2015
This book fits in among many other books I've read in the past few years concerning other personalities from this era, from Consuelo Vanderbilt to Lady Almina of Highclere. There isn't a whole lot known about her childhood, and there's as much in it about Randolph Churchill and his political life as there is about Jennie. There are many quotes from his speeches and others concerning the pertinent issues of the day, and then the author mentions almost as an aside that Jennie during this time was being escorted by Lord So-and-so to social functions....While she is linked with many men, we aren't given to know too much about her emotions at this point. Considering that this volume is subtitled "The Romantic Years", there isn't a lot of information given about her romances other than the fact of them existing, and why. But there isn't much insight into Jennie herself. I feel like I know a lot about her life but not about her. Whether that is the fault of the author or a lack of material about her, I don't know. However, I still found the book interesting just because of the world she inhabited and the people she moved among. I'll see what Volume 2 has to say.
April 30, 2020
Every single page was entertaining, meaningful, historical; and invited me back to the world of the Industrial Revolution and the Dollar Princess. I'm thankful for the hard work of research and talented writing of Ralph G Martin. I can't wait to read Vol. 2. I'm also, so very grateful to have found these 2 volumes hidden on the for sale shelf in the basement of a library. Too bad librarians don't read enough to know great works when they see them.
November 29, 2007
Jennie Jerome Churchill was a fascinating woman, but you'd never know it from reading this sleeping pill of a book. I didn't even bother with its sequel, and I'm looking forward to reading Anne Sebba's new biography of Mrs. Churchill and getting far more out of it.
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January 31, 2021This book was written in 1969 and my version was the first paperback in 1970. The cover says this was on the NYT bestseller list for 7 months, so I was probably aware of that and bought this at a used bookstore in the 70's. I found it interesting, but not in a significant way to me in 2021. She was born to a relatively prominent American family and became a huge attraction in the European upper crust circles she travelled in. She married Randolph Churchill, the 2nd son of the Duke of Marlborough, so he was not in line to inherit the estate, Blenheim. Randolph instead pursued a life in politics, which kept them in prominent circles but they struggled with money - as compared to the circles they traveled in. While she was prominent in her own right - as both a beauty and intellect and mover and shaker - her biggest claim to fame is being the mother of Winston Churchill. This book covered Jennie's life until her husband's death when she was 41 and Winston was 21. Interestingly, Winston did not show much promise until this point in his life. There is a 2nd volume, which I now would like to read, because apparently she goes on to achieve more in her life, plus it likely will cover Winston's rise from his mother's viewpoint (and presumably until her death). My public library does not have the 2nd volume, so I am going to check into an interlibrary loan or resort to buying it , if still available. My version is an old-style paperback that is yellowed, but is still in good condition, so I plan to donate it to a charity for book sales.
June 17, 2020
She was a remarkable woman who could have been president of the United States had she lived here and not England. Because so many excerpts from letters were included, you are able to get a good feel for not only Jennie but Lord Randolph and of course, Winston Churchill as a young boy.
March 21, 2021
So much history here. Interesting people on her family tree!. Her father had been a person of influence in various areas & lost most of his fortune in stock market.
Her mother moved with her children to Paris . Paris in 1870 was in desperate straits - 65000 people died of starvation (& I'm sure many more were very hungry)-people eating rats, cats, dogs, mice, horses out of desperation.
In 1870's Napoleon's household belongings were auctioned off - the mother bought the dining plates - still used by Winston. There is mention later in the book how the children were afraid of swallowing metal with their food.
England in 1870 was in the Victorian Age. A compelling statement - "Charles Dickens died in 1870 but Oliver Twist did not". Half the children did not go to school.
Interesting to realize how politically interested Jennie was - while her husband the politician was not that interested in politics. He sounds rather lazy, rude among other things.
It's a world I cannot imagine. The details of dowry that Jennie's parents paid are mentioned. As we hear-marriage was as much an economic union as anything. Even though Jerome family was not well off (in their world), she had a fantastic trousseau with which to meet marriage.
This is not that long ago that they were married. It's a world that Downton Abbey somewhat comments on but so much more fantastic & human. Certainly not a world that I can identify with. Reading about starvation, the poverty that was part of her world - wow.
Much of the same. We see her relationship with her 2 young children (Winston is oldest), & how Winston really needed the influence of another man (as his father did not spend time with his children or even seem to like them). The latter half of book speaks more about politics. Clearly Jennie was very intelligent, and influenced her husband, until his last few years when he appeared to spent most of his time outside the country travelling).
None of the 3 Jerome sisters had happy marriages. In fact, the parents' marriage was not a happy one.The social, financial struggles of people in the day put today's struggles into perspective.Quite an interesting book.
Her mother moved with her children to Paris . Paris in 1870 was in desperate straits - 65000 people died of starvation (& I'm sure many more were very hungry)-people eating rats, cats, dogs, mice, horses out of desperation.
In 1870's Napoleon's household belongings were auctioned off - the mother bought the dining plates - still used by Winston. There is mention later in the book how the children were afraid of swallowing metal with their food.
England in 1870 was in the Victorian Age. A compelling statement - "Charles Dickens died in 1870 but Oliver Twist did not". Half the children did not go to school.
Interesting to realize how politically interested Jennie was - while her husband the politician was not that interested in politics. He sounds rather lazy, rude among other things.
It's a world I cannot imagine. The details of dowry that Jennie's parents paid are mentioned. As we hear-marriage was as much an economic union as anything. Even though Jerome family was not well off (in their world), she had a fantastic trousseau with which to meet marriage.
This is not that long ago that they were married. It's a world that Downton Abbey somewhat comments on but so much more fantastic & human. Certainly not a world that I can identify with. Reading about starvation, the poverty that was part of her world - wow.
Much of the same. We see her relationship with her 2 young children (Winston is oldest), & how Winston really needed the influence of another man (as his father did not spend time with his children or even seem to like them). The latter half of book speaks more about politics. Clearly Jennie was very intelligent, and influenced her husband, until his last few years when he appeared to spent most of his time outside the country travelling).
None of the 3 Jerome sisters had happy marriages. In fact, the parents' marriage was not a happy one.The social, financial struggles of people in the day put today's struggles into perspective.Quite an interesting book.
August 28, 2020
I was lucky to find the two volume set on Jennie Jerome Churchill during the Covid crisis. It two volumes were a fantastic leisurely read. Only a woman as strong as Jennie could have produced Winston Churchill.
Jennie came from one of the wealthiest families in New York. Her father had a mansion on Madison Square with its own opera house. Her family was related to Washington, Teddy Roosevelt and more remotely to Franklin Roosevelt. An uncle had practiced law with Abraham Lincoln.
She married Randolph Churchill who was from the highest British nobility. Randolph rose quickly in British politics and became Chancellor of the Exchequer. A factoid is that when Randolph died Jennie did not return his ceremonial robes since, "my son would wear them one day."
Jennie was one of the great beauties of her age. There were constant photos of her in the papers and even postcards were sold of her. She was the equivalent of a Hollywood star but also married to one of the top politicians. She also was very clever as soires and at dinner parties.
Jennie was a close companion of the Prince of Wales (Edward VII) and was his lover. She also had affairs with many of the British nobles and wealthy American industrialists
Ralph Martin's work is completely researched from original sources. Long quotes are beautifully molded together into a very readable and informative format. Martin provides a wonderful biography of Jennie Jerome.
Jennie came from one of the wealthiest families in New York. Her father had a mansion on Madison Square with its own opera house. Her family was related to Washington, Teddy Roosevelt and more remotely to Franklin Roosevelt. An uncle had practiced law with Abraham Lincoln.
She married Randolph Churchill who was from the highest British nobility. Randolph rose quickly in British politics and became Chancellor of the Exchequer. A factoid is that when Randolph died Jennie did not return his ceremonial robes since, "my son would wear them one day."
Jennie was one of the great beauties of her age. There were constant photos of her in the papers and even postcards were sold of her. She was the equivalent of a Hollywood star but also married to one of the top politicians. She also was very clever as soires and at dinner parties.
Jennie was a close companion of the Prince of Wales (Edward VII) and was his lover. She also had affairs with many of the British nobles and wealthy American industrialists
Ralph Martin's work is completely researched from original sources. Long quotes are beautifully molded together into a very readable and informative format. Martin provides a wonderful biography of Jennie Jerome.
April 26, 2025
I’m not sure how this was a bestseller. I enjoy biographies and was interested to learn of Winston Churchill’s family and childhood. Poor kid - if even half of the affairs of his mom, and the implications of his father’s temperament and illness are true, what a terrible thing. Not much here for encouragement or understanding except to be thankful
To God that somehow he used all this to make Winston the leader England needed in WW2. Definitely not recommended reading. I kept thinking it would get better but it didn’t.
To God that somehow he used all this to make Winston the leader England needed in WW2. Definitely not recommended reading. I kept thinking it would get better but it didn’t.
March 10, 2018
I read about Jennie Churchill while a teenager. She was one of the Heiresses of America who married into a title. mother of Winston Churchill. At the time I thought how could such a beautiful woman birth him. amazing woman in an amazing time of history
September 2, 2020
I think this book actually turned out to be more about Randolph than Jennie. Lots of letters quoted, lots of affairs documented. Not as much about why she was the magnetic personality that Martin and the letter-writers tell us she was, nor much about Winston.
I'll skip the second volume...
I'll skip the second volume...
April 25, 2021
I thought it odd that the book ends with the death of Randolph Churchill but have since learned that there is a Volume 2. I liked it well enough but not enough to continue with Part 2, especially since I have already read another biography about her.
January 11, 2025
Audible had this as part of their plus catalog and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it! Jennie was an amazing woman who supported (orchestrated) her husband through an incredible career.
January 11, 2020
Super interesting.
June 21, 2021
Incredible woman who influenced so many. I wonder if Eleanor Roosevelt was influenced by her.
January 16, 2022
My new favorite historical figure. A truly admirable woman. Wish I could’ve gotten dinner with her.
April 2, 2022
Mesmerized ... couldn't put it down. Amazing life.
June 6, 2011
I don't often read non-fiction because the level of detail can be overwhelming and the writing poor. But this book, about Winston Churchill's scandalous and ambitious American mother, was very interesting and easy to read. Despite covering many long-forgotten political figures and fights, the account of late-Victorian times and Jennie's life in particular stood on their own. She was a fascinating person, then and now. I also appreciated peeks into the stormy, syphilitic temperament of Winston's father, Lord Randolph, as well as Winston himself, who was surprisingly under-achieving during his youth.
July 30, 2012
Jennie Jerome was an American heiress who married Lord Randolph Churchill and was the mother of Winston Churchill. It is said that Edith Wharton's novel, The Buccaneers, is drawn in part from Jennie's life. This book is about 40 years old, and is very sympathetically written. I wonder if another author or more recent research may have produced an entirely different book. What is interesting is her sphere of influence, both in England and Europe, and a look at life among the rich and famous in this time period.
January 30, 2015
Reading this again was a treat. Ralph Martin reports rather than editorializes and his research is impeccable. His writing is casual without being slang ridden. I await American Jennie: The Remarkable Life of Lady Randolph Churchill with impatience - it's been "in transit" to my local library for over a week - but I can't believe that it will surpass this elegant biography.
February 2, 2016
Volume 1 of 2, this book covers the life of Jennie Randolph during the years 1854 - 1895, from her birth through the death of her husband. Prior to reading this, I knew nothing about her life except that she was beautiful, had many affairs, was an American who married into the British aristocracy, and was the mother of Winston Churchill. She was so much more than that. As with her future daughter-in-law, Clementine, she contributed greatly to her husband's political career breaking new ground for women in the process. Volume 2 is on its way.
May 21, 2020
I read a book about Windton Churchill’s mother, Jenny, when I was in High School. Thinking it was this book, I recently purchased this book ( Vol 1) and breezed through it quickly. I was familiar with her rich life and enjoyed the photos. I have a 1969 library copy. I look forward to buying/ reading Vol 2 which will continue the life of Jenny, but it is not the book I read years ago. This is well documented. But I also found there to be many social judgements by the author that may not hold true to todays standards. Interesting read.
October 19, 2025
This book is an absolute gem. Read it 40 years ago and found it just as fascinating today. Lady Randolph Churchill was a star in every sense: bright, beautiful, an extraordinary hostess and conversationalist, musical, a talented horsewoman, and one of the most fascinating women of her day. From her childhood in New York to Paris and London, she knew everyone of consequence in Europe, had multiple lovers, and was utterly instrumental in her son Winston's career.
March 8, 2008
As much as I was repulsed by the extravagant indulgences described, I couldn't help but be drawn into this bit of history. It made me want to learn more about the history of the monarchy within Great Britain.
March 9, 2011
THIS WAS A MOST ENJOYABLE BOOK. IT WAS HARD TO PUT DOWN. WHAT A LIFE THE UPPER CLASS LED. WHAT A PITY THEY DIDN'T EXPERIENCE REAL LIFE. IT'S A MIXED BAG WHETHER TO FEEL SORRY FOR THEM OR TO THINK THEY MADE THEIR OWN BED, LET THEM LIE IN IT. I'VE GOT TO FIND THE SECOND VOLUME.
May 8, 2011
I was only 15 or so when I read it, but I seem to remember enjoying it. However, I had forgotten about reading it until yesterday, when something on TV reminded me of it. So I guess you couldn't say that it affected me very deeply.
January 30, 2012
I read this book many years ago and look forward to reading it again. A wonderful historical novel that lends a better understanding of the political and social nuances in the Golden Age (Vol 1) and the formative years of Winston Churchill, Jennie's son (Vol.2.)
June 3, 2012
This book was obviously incredibly well researched and thought out. I felt like it relied a bit too heavily on family histories prior to Jennie herself but, all in all, it was very informative and easy to read for such an academic biography.
August 29, 2016
While I definitely found this book fascinating, I would have liked more personal detail about Lady Randolph Churchill and less about her husband. The fact that he was slowly dying of syphilis was the main thing I came away with.
I am inspired to read more about Winston Churchill.
I am inspired to read more about Winston Churchill.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews