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Constructing Churchill
Constructing Churchill; a book on how Winston Churchill the man has been rendered into Winston Churchill the Myth.
Yvonne Jones wants a successful career in publishing. She has the qualifications, she has the strategy, and she has the determination to succeed. Unfortunately, she lacks what she actually needs for a successful career in publishing; private schooling, a trust fund, and nepotistic contacts.
Constructing Churchill; a satirical meta-novel investigating how the English Establishment sustains itself despite its incompetence, greed, and corruption.
Constructing Churchill; a book about… constructing Churchill.
Yvonne Jones wants a successful career in publishing. She has the qualifications, she has the strategy, and she has the determination to succeed. Unfortunately, she lacks what she actually needs for a successful career in publishing; private schooling, a trust fund, and nepotistic contacts.
Constructing Churchill; a satirical meta-novel investigating how the English Establishment sustains itself despite its incompetence, greed, and corruption.
Constructing Churchill; a book about… constructing Churchill.
280 pages, Paperback
Published January 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 1, 2025
Constructing Churchill is a scathing satirical look at the establishment and how the haves, have it all and the have nots, have no chance. The book explores the myths that keep us all firmly in check understanding our station in life. Whether that is to be the best like our four fathers, or working two jobs to support our growing family.
The author throws out inconvenient truths as we see Yvonne, a young Black woman trying to show her worth in the world of publishing. No matter how hard she works, she will never reach her goal as the elites overtake her without so much as lifting a finger. Forget work ethic, diligence and determination, nepotism is key.
The authors sharp wit and societal commentary, reminds us of the subterfuge and misdirection of the establishments rhetoric. Society loves a scapegoat and who better than all those people coming here, getting a house and a job while us hardworking natives can't catch a break.
As someone who works in a profession which is often misrepresented by the media whilst funding is cut to dangerous levels, this resonated.
Well written, thought-provoking and a sharp reminder of who we should really be angry with. The footnotes alone had me invested. A must read.
With thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
The author throws out inconvenient truths as we see Yvonne, a young Black woman trying to show her worth in the world of publishing. No matter how hard she works, she will never reach her goal as the elites overtake her without so much as lifting a finger. Forget work ethic, diligence and determination, nepotism is key.
The authors sharp wit and societal commentary, reminds us of the subterfuge and misdirection of the establishments rhetoric. Society loves a scapegoat and who better than all those people coming here, getting a house and a job while us hardworking natives can't catch a break.
As someone who works in a profession which is often misrepresented by the media whilst funding is cut to dangerous levels, this resonated.
Well written, thought-provoking and a sharp reminder of who we should really be angry with. The footnotes alone had me invested. A must read.
With thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
April 10, 2025
OK, so this isn't what I thought it was going to be, and that's totally on me as I clearly didn't read the blurb properly. And I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I'm too clever for this book. It feels at times like the author is treating the reader as if they know nothing, but then I'm wondering if I'm missing the point and am, therefore, actually not clever enough?
That doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the book though, because I did. At least, I think I did. It was actually a really interesting look at why we can't trust the mainstream media, be it right or left wing, and should, in order to get the full picture, read multiple sources. It's also why it's never define myself as left or right wing, as the reality is far more nuanced.
Constructing Churchill is written with a fantastic amount of humour, I laughed out loud at times. I found the footnotes overly long, maybe that's the point as a meta novel, I'm not sure, but at times I found reading them detracted from the actual book. I quite often skip the footnotes in traditional book though in all honesty.
I'll admit that I expected a bit more Churchill in a book about Churchill, but what little there was was interesting. I already knew that he has been built up in British history books to be some kind of saviour, when in reality he was just a human, with (in my opinion) many many flaws. I remember doing an exercise in school that showed that 'on paper' Hitler was the nicer of the two leaders.
The class and race elements of the story were interesting too. I've found that the people at the top like to claim they got there by sheer hard work, without looking at the many and varied other things that have helped. I'm not saying they didn't work hard, but it's plebs work hard too.
All in all, this book went from "I can't wait to read that" to "what on earth is this, this isn't about Churchill" to "Oh! Satire." Overall it's been an enjoyable read, even if it's not what I first expected!
That doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the book though, because I did. At least, I think I did. It was actually a really interesting look at why we can't trust the mainstream media, be it right or left wing, and should, in order to get the full picture, read multiple sources. It's also why it's never define myself as left or right wing, as the reality is far more nuanced.
Constructing Churchill is written with a fantastic amount of humour, I laughed out loud at times. I found the footnotes overly long, maybe that's the point as a meta novel, I'm not sure, but at times I found reading them detracted from the actual book. I quite often skip the footnotes in traditional book though in all honesty.
I'll admit that I expected a bit more Churchill in a book about Churchill, but what little there was was interesting. I already knew that he has been built up in British history books to be some kind of saviour, when in reality he was just a human, with (in my opinion) many many flaws. I remember doing an exercise in school that showed that 'on paper' Hitler was the nicer of the two leaders.
The class and race elements of the story were interesting too. I've found that the people at the top like to claim they got there by sheer hard work, without looking at the many and varied other things that have helped. I'm not saying they didn't work hard, but it's plebs work hard too.
All in all, this book went from "I can't wait to read that" to "what on earth is this, this isn't about Churchill" to "Oh! Satire." Overall it's been an enjoyable read, even if it's not what I first expected!
February 26, 2025
A Scathing, Brilliantly Witty Deconstruction of Power and Myth
Jon Hartless’ Constructing Churchill is a razor-sharp, satirical takedown of the myth-making machinery that upholds the English Establishment. With biting wit and unapologetic irreverence, Hartless peels back the layers of nationalistic nostalgia to expose the self-serving mechanisms that turn figures like Churchill into untouchable legends.
Through the story of Yvonne Jones—a young black woman struggling to navigate an industry designed to exclude her—and the insufferable elites who wield power with casual entitlement, Constructing Churchill is as much a study of class and privilege as it is a metafictional commentary on historical revisionism. The footnotes alone, sprawling with insight and snark, are worth the price of admission.
Clever, cynical, and caustically funny, this novel is both a literary feat and a much-needed reality check. If you enjoy scathing social critique wrapped in dark humour and a deftly structured narrative, this is essential reading.
Jon Hartless’ Constructing Churchill is a razor-sharp, satirical takedown of the myth-making machinery that upholds the English Establishment. With biting wit and unapologetic irreverence, Hartless peels back the layers of nationalistic nostalgia to expose the self-serving mechanisms that turn figures like Churchill into untouchable legends.
Through the story of Yvonne Jones—a young black woman struggling to navigate an industry designed to exclude her—and the insufferable elites who wield power with casual entitlement, Constructing Churchill is as much a study of class and privilege as it is a metafictional commentary on historical revisionism. The footnotes alone, sprawling with insight and snark, are worth the price of admission.
Clever, cynical, and caustically funny, this novel is both a literary feat and a much-needed reality check. If you enjoy scathing social critique wrapped in dark humour and a deftly structured narrative, this is essential reading.
April 2, 2025
This book takes a long hard look at why the divide is ever growing and will continue to separate our society until it has become completely broken. The satirical take on this look at society, who and what it covets and why is a hard look at life and what can actually be made out of what you are born with.
As someone who came from the upper end of the have nots, I had to bust everything and give up a lot of opportunities to mess about and be silly to make sure I got somewhere. All the whole, those I knew from the haves went about life popular, wealthy and getting everything, even grades and schooling they didn't earn or deserve. It hurt, but also taught me a hard earned lesson. I kept working hard and not have a good life, but the haves still are wealthy and have a lot more without even having break a sweat. This book looks at all that and just why it works that way and takes it like a wet fish and slaps you in the face with it. It is an interesting and very engaging read and one I really enjoyed.
As someone who came from the upper end of the have nots, I had to bust everything and give up a lot of opportunities to mess about and be silly to make sure I got somewhere. All the whole, those I knew from the haves went about life popular, wealthy and getting everything, even grades and schooling they didn't earn or deserve. It hurt, but also taught me a hard earned lesson. I kept working hard and not have a good life, but the haves still are wealthy and have a lot more without even having break a sweat. This book looks at all that and just why it works that way and takes it like a wet fish and slaps you in the face with it. It is an interesting and very engaging read and one I really enjoyed.
April 7, 2025
"Constructing Churchill" by Jon Hartless is quite different from my normal reading matter. It was written for the author's PhD in Creative Writing and in its aims it says it will try to be "literary", meaning it will "be both pretentious and boring and will employ many a sesquipedalian word" (long polysyllabic words!!). Luckily, the basic story isn't overwhelmed and stilted by the liberal scattering of sesquipedalian words, as it is hilariously funny, full of satire, although the extensive footnotes, do at times feel like plodding through treacle. Without the footnotes, it is a very Quick Read, the footnotes give the impression (?) of extensive political knowledge and research. Getting back to the basic story this is centred on a publishing house who have been given the honour of engaging an author to write a "New" biography of Winston Churchill, however it becomes clear to Yvonne Jones the young unpaid intern that the book will not be new in its choice of author or content but will stick to what is deemed by The Establishment as correct. Yvonne naively believes that a successful career in publishing is within her ambition through hard work, qualifications and determination but this belief is cruelly shattered by the dawning realisation that it is social background, a private education and knowing the Right people that leads to success.
This parody of a literary novel has echos of "Yes, Minister", with the interactions and hilariously amusing discourse of the socially differing "publishing office" caricatures.
At its heart, "Constructing Churchill" succeeds in illustrating "how Winston Churchill the man has been rendered into Winston Churchill the Myth."
This parody of a literary novel has echos of "Yes, Minister", with the interactions and hilariously amusing discourse of the socially differing "publishing office" caricatures.
At its heart, "Constructing Churchill" succeeds in illustrating "how Winston Churchill the man has been rendered into Winston Churchill the Myth."
April 4, 2025
Constructing Churchill is an hilarious, quite scathing, satirical look at the British establishment.
It's cynical, it's thought-provoking, it's entertaining.
It's a book that explores how the ruling class keeps everyone else in check and firmly in our places.
It's a work that examines and debunks the narrative the so called "elite" have formed over centuries, to ensure they remain where they are, and to ensure the rest of us either stay where we are, or become worse off.
Full of sharp, biting wit, it's a well constructed read, that's a reminder of who the real "baddies" are in British society. As the saying goes, "the enemy does not arrive by boat. He arrives by limousine".
Right up my street this book.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's.
It's cynical, it's thought-provoking, it's entertaining.
It's a book that explores how the ruling class keeps everyone else in check and firmly in our places.
It's a work that examines and debunks the narrative the so called "elite" have formed over centuries, to ensure they remain where they are, and to ensure the rest of us either stay where we are, or become worse off.
Full of sharp, biting wit, it's a well constructed read, that's a reminder of who the real "baddies" are in British society. As the saying goes, "the enemy does not arrive by boat. He arrives by limousine".
Right up my street this book.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's.
April 6, 2025
I found this book very unusual (not a bad thing) as I've never read metafiction. It was satirical and very tongue in cheek!
The book well written and research is on point. The footnotes were a great edition and full of lots of information. It worked well!!
The characters were extraordinary. I liked Yvonne and Helen just fine. The rest were all unlikable. This worked as we got a picture of how the upper class can behave and treat. I'm not saying all upper class people are like that just that it exists sadly.
The book is written in third person. More like a narrative than a specific point of view. Although if there was a POV it would be Yvonne's. It all worked well in the book.
I recommend this without doubt. Just remember it's satire!
The book well written and research is on point. The footnotes were a great edition and full of lots of information. It worked well!!
The characters were extraordinary. I liked Yvonne and Helen just fine. The rest were all unlikable. This worked as we got a picture of how the upper class can behave and treat. I'm not saying all upper class people are like that just that it exists sadly.
The book is written in third person. More like a narrative than a specific point of view. Although if there was a POV it would be Yvonne's. It all worked well in the book.
I recommend this without doubt. Just remember it's satire!
April 4, 2025
Constructing Churchill is a witty, satirical novel cleverly constructed by the author, Jon Hartless.
It is very cleverly written and definitely thought-provoking. I learnt about Churchill at school as I’m sure lots of us did but not like this! Forget what you think you know…
This book is not something i would normally pick up to read but I’m glad I did. It definitely is not non-fiction even though it looks like it might be.
It is very cleverly written and definitely thought-provoking. I learnt about Churchill at school as I’m sure lots of us did but not like this! Forget what you think you know…
This book is not something i would normally pick up to read but I’m glad I did. It definitely is not non-fiction even though it looks like it might be.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews