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Čērčils un dēls
Aizkustinošs, pārsteidzošs un skaudri patiess Vinstona Čērčila portrets, kas atklāts caur ietekmīgā tēva attiecībām ar skandalozo dēlu.
Vinstons Čērčils var šķist pazīstams: labdabīga buldoga grimase, mūždien klātesošs cigārs, ass prāts, apņēmība un neizsīkstoša enerģija, kas ļāva Lielbritānijai gūt uzvaru Otrajā pasaules karā. Tomēr ne visi zina, ka ārpus parlamenta un pazemes komandpunkta sienām leģendārais politiķis bija lielas ģimenes galva, kurš ļoti mīlēja sievu un bērnus, īpaši Rendolfu, savu vienīgo dēlu un Čērčilu dzimtas turpinātāju.
Desmitiem gadu, kamēr Vinstons neatlaidīgi virzījās uz politisko panākumu virsotnēm, tēvs un dēls bija nešķirams tandēms. Tomēr Rendolfs tā arī nespēja iziet no tēva ēnas, un viņu attiecības bija ļoti vētrainas un sarežģītas. Tām kaitēja ne tikai Čērčilu ambīcijas, nerealizētās cerības, savstarpējie apvainojumi un strīdi, bet arī nauda, privilēģijas un abu eksplozīvais raksturs.
Džoša Aierlenda (Josh Ireland) grāmata “Čērčils un dēls”, kuras pamatā ir plašs un rūpīgi piemeklēts faktu materiāls, ir saistoši uzrakstīts biogrāfisks pētījums, kas ļauj pilnīgi citā skatījumā palūkoties uz vienu no cilvēces vēstures nozīmīgākajām figūrām.
Vinstons Čērčils var šķist pazīstams: labdabīga buldoga grimase, mūždien klātesošs cigārs, ass prāts, apņēmība un neizsīkstoša enerģija, kas ļāva Lielbritānijai gūt uzvaru Otrajā pasaules karā. Tomēr ne visi zina, ka ārpus parlamenta un pazemes komandpunkta sienām leģendārais politiķis bija lielas ģimenes galva, kurš ļoti mīlēja sievu un bērnus, īpaši Rendolfu, savu vienīgo dēlu un Čērčilu dzimtas turpinātāju.
Desmitiem gadu, kamēr Vinstons neatlaidīgi virzījās uz politisko panākumu virsotnēm, tēvs un dēls bija nešķirams tandēms. Tomēr Rendolfs tā arī nespēja iziet no tēva ēnas, un viņu attiecības bija ļoti vētrainas un sarežģītas. Tām kaitēja ne tikai Čērčilu ambīcijas, nerealizētās cerības, savstarpējie apvainojumi un strīdi, bet arī nauda, privilēģijas un abu eksplozīvais raksturs.
Džoša Aierlenda (Josh Ireland) grāmata “Čērčils un dēls”, kuras pamatā ir plašs un rūpīgi piemeklēts faktu materiāls, ir saistoši uzrakstīts biogrāfisks pētījums, kas ļauj pilnīgi citā skatījumā palūkoties uz vienu no cilvēces vēstures nozīmīgākajām figūrām.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2021
89 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 7, 2023
Oh my bloody goodness. Čērčili - tēvs un dēls - traki cilvēki, traka dzīve, traka pasaule. Lai pārliecinoši piedalītos politikas un vēstures milžu cīņās, šis tipāžs laikam ir visnormālākais. Gan jau arī mūsdienu milžu cīņu dalībnieki ir personības, kuras grūti iezīmēt ierastajās koordinātu asīs. Vienlaikus iepazinu sarežģītu tēva un dēla attiecību stāstu.
October 30, 2022
The Churchill's were snobbish people. Winston had a sad childhood, born to parents who didn't seem to want children. He begged for their attention. Probably because of this, he was overly indulgent of his son. Randolph was spoiled, a brat, and a difficult person. I had hoped to learn more about Winston and war years but that doesn't happen in this book. The book was well researched and written, although somewhat boring. The Churchill family behaved repetitively therefore the book was repetitive. The father and son's sense of entitlement was hard to repeatedly read.
November 30, 2020
Maybe I played myself thinking I would realllly enjoy this. I enjoy Larson's writings about this era but I think that more likely than anything is I personally dont get much out of a father-son centered story. I wanted MORE from those around them. Through this book I learned I don't care very much about this realm of history BUT I would not stop anyone who considers themselves a history buff or is interested in knowing some behind-the-scenes knowledge of the well known Churchill,
September 3, 2025
Such a thrill to get an insight in these extraordinary personalities. Like father like son. Strongly recomend.
“Šķita, ka attālums spēj paveikt to, kas nav pa spēkam vislabākajiem nodomiem un vārdiem.”
“Šķita, ka attālums spēj paveikt to, kas nav pa spēkam vislabākajiem nodomiem un vārdiem.”
June 26, 2022
A cautionary tale of the tragedy of imparted, unearned self-esteem and the resulting corrosive hubris that consumes relationships and potential.
As a great lover of Winston Churchill, this book adds another very complicated but sad element to his character. Its familial theme is the ultimately poisonous, self-prescribed antidote to his childhood and the quixotic focus on building his dynasty with his son, Randolph, as the tragic vessel of that quest.
A well-written 'page-turner,' Ireland does yeoman's work capturing the entire Churchill family's equal parts delightful and heart-breaking lives... always with Winston Churchill ubiquitously and prominently in the center.
As a great lover of Winston Churchill, this book adds another very complicated but sad element to his character. Its familial theme is the ultimately poisonous, self-prescribed antidote to his childhood and the quixotic focus on building his dynasty with his son, Randolph, as the tragic vessel of that quest.
A well-written 'page-turner,' Ireland does yeoman's work capturing the entire Churchill family's equal parts delightful and heart-breaking lives... always with Winston Churchill ubiquitously and prominently in the center.
April 14, 2021
Not a lot of new ground covered here and some howler typos e.g. Randolph wanted to write a bio of American president JEF.
April 1, 2021
Winston Churchill is one of those fascinating people who you are always learning something new about, and who we will always want to read more about. Look in any bookstore and you'll probably see more books about him than anyone else. I am definitely one of the people helping to fuel this industry- always eager to read the next book on this complex man. After reading Erik Larson's wonderful The Splendid and the Vile I grew curious about his family members- especially his son, Randolph. So when Josh Ireland came out with Churchill and Son I jumped on it.
Churchill and Son describes the fascinating, emotional, and volatile relationship between Winston and Randolph. After being neglected by his own father (probably the best thing he ever did for Winston, in my opinion) Winston was determined to have a close bond with his own son. He lavished praise and affection on the boy, encouraged him to always speak his mind, and to bow down to no-one. Randolph, in return, worshipped Winston and supported his every political stance. Randolph inherited all of Winston's good qualities: intelligence, brilliant public speaking ability, and charisma. But Josh Ireland doesn't pull any punches or sugarcoat Randolph's or Winston's bad qualities. Their worst qualities are also on display- temper, frequent lack of empathy, ignoring all others to focus on themselves. Winston spoiled Randolph as a child and indulged him to the point of his being uncontrollable as a youth- and Randolph never grew out of this. Hard drinking, hard gambling, frequently cruel to friends as well as enemies and never one to forget a grudge, Randolph grew up being told he was heir to the Churchill dynasty- and believed himself entitled to be handed all that and more without having to work for it.
Ireland does a brilliant job of putting readers into the center of the Churchill family dynamics. You sympathize with the long suffering Clementine and their daughters as they are pushed to the side and Winston focuses on Randolph. You want to reach into the pages and shake Randolph for some of his worst episodes and while feeling pity for Winston for having this wretched son, you are also tempted to point out to him that spoiling the boy led to some of this behavior in the adult. The explosive fights between Winston and Randolph are as shocking to the reader as to those who witnessed them- even though after awhile you know exactly what is coming. I especially appreciated that Ireland doesn't focus only on specific time periods, like World War II, but covers their entire lives- paying special attention to Churchill's "wilderness years" between the wars, which I had not read much about before.
Meticulously researched, fascinating, brilliantly and sympathetically written without pulling any punches, Churchill and Son is the behind the scenes story of Churchill family dynamics. It's the age-old story of a man trying to make up for his own poor relationship with his father by giving his son everything. And the age-old story of a son who can never step out of the shadow of his famous father.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Churchill and Son describes the fascinating, emotional, and volatile relationship between Winston and Randolph. After being neglected by his own father (probably the best thing he ever did for Winston, in my opinion) Winston was determined to have a close bond with his own son. He lavished praise and affection on the boy, encouraged him to always speak his mind, and to bow down to no-one. Randolph, in return, worshipped Winston and supported his every political stance. Randolph inherited all of Winston's good qualities: intelligence, brilliant public speaking ability, and charisma. But Josh Ireland doesn't pull any punches or sugarcoat Randolph's or Winston's bad qualities. Their worst qualities are also on display- temper, frequent lack of empathy, ignoring all others to focus on themselves. Winston spoiled Randolph as a child and indulged him to the point of his being uncontrollable as a youth- and Randolph never grew out of this. Hard drinking, hard gambling, frequently cruel to friends as well as enemies and never one to forget a grudge, Randolph grew up being told he was heir to the Churchill dynasty- and believed himself entitled to be handed all that and more without having to work for it.
Ireland does a brilliant job of putting readers into the center of the Churchill family dynamics. You sympathize with the long suffering Clementine and their daughters as they are pushed to the side and Winston focuses on Randolph. You want to reach into the pages and shake Randolph for some of his worst episodes and while feeling pity for Winston for having this wretched son, you are also tempted to point out to him that spoiling the boy led to some of this behavior in the adult. The explosive fights between Winston and Randolph are as shocking to the reader as to those who witnessed them- even though after awhile you know exactly what is coming. I especially appreciated that Ireland doesn't focus only on specific time periods, like World War II, but covers their entire lives- paying special attention to Churchill's "wilderness years" between the wars, which I had not read much about before.
Meticulously researched, fascinating, brilliantly and sympathetically written without pulling any punches, Churchill and Son is the behind the scenes story of Churchill family dynamics. It's the age-old story of a man trying to make up for his own poor relationship with his father by giving his son everything. And the age-old story of a son who can never step out of the shadow of his famous father.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
January 7, 2022
A Story of the Impact of Fathers on Their Sons
Winston Churchill was neglected by his parents. He desperately wanted a relationship with his father, but could never please him. The desire for paternal acceptance colored his life and underlay his treatment of his own son. Because of his strained relationship with his father, Winston indulged his son Randolph to the point of spoiling him.
The Churchill men were alike in having many outstanding qualities, but there were also dark sides to their personalities. Both men were charismatic and brilliant speakers. Both had terrible tempers and a fondness for alcohol that sometimes went too far.
Although the book doesn’t present new facts about the relationship between Winston and his son, it paints a portrait of the relationship over their whole lives as well as exploring Winston's relationship with his own father in the early chapters. I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Winston with his children, reading to them, taking an interesting in their school work, and explaining things to them. It was also interesting that the author showed to some extent how Winston’s doting on Randolph impacted his daughters and Clementine.
The book is well written and easy to become immersed in. I enjoyed the book because it took a balanced look at the Churchill men pointing out both their great gifts and their equally great flaws. If you’re a fan of Churchill and the WWII era, this is a book you’ll enjoy.
I received this book from Dutton for this review.
Winston Churchill was neglected by his parents. He desperately wanted a relationship with his father, but could never please him. The desire for paternal acceptance colored his life and underlay his treatment of his own son. Because of his strained relationship with his father, Winston indulged his son Randolph to the point of spoiling him.
The Churchill men were alike in having many outstanding qualities, but there were also dark sides to their personalities. Both men were charismatic and brilliant speakers. Both had terrible tempers and a fondness for alcohol that sometimes went too far.
Although the book doesn’t present new facts about the relationship between Winston and his son, it paints a portrait of the relationship over their whole lives as well as exploring Winston's relationship with his own father in the early chapters. I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Winston with his children, reading to them, taking an interesting in their school work, and explaining things to them. It was also interesting that the author showed to some extent how Winston’s doting on Randolph impacted his daughters and Clementine.
The book is well written and easy to become immersed in. I enjoyed the book because it took a balanced look at the Churchill men pointing out both their great gifts and their equally great flaws. If you’re a fan of Churchill and the WWII era, this is a book you’ll enjoy.
I received this book from Dutton for this review.
August 9, 2021
I saw Randolph Churchill cautiously and unevenly step out onto a late night talk show stage a couple of years before his death in his late fifties. To my child's eyes he looked a very, very old man on a cane. Read this biography and you will learn of the physical assault he made upon his own body with drink and excess, and the mental and emotional burden he carried all of his days as the only son of Winston Churchill. To paraphrase Randolph, what success he scored in life was usually attributed to his father, and his (many) failings were deemed a public humiliation to his father. He was smothered in a deadly combination of fatherly love and ambition by a Winston still smarting from rejection by his own father, the elder Randolph. As for his mother, whether the emotionally complicated Clementine loved or really hated her only son is evidenced both ways, the weight given to the latter by many with first hand knowledge. In brief Randolph from golden prince to middle age bore insulted and shocked, appalled and angered British society while striking women (his sister), cursing wives and destroying himself. Sadly, he only found his uncompleted place late as his father's biographer. His grandmother Jennie was so right, anyone with her Jerome blood was basically born inebriated.
June 16, 2021
Winston Churchill passed away at age 90 in 1965. He and wife Clementine had four daughters and one son, Randolph, who died three years later at age 57. Josh Ireland's account of the life and battles of father and son is a gripping page-turner. Please tolerate my scattered comments. Page 82: "One of Winston's most mischievous aphorisms was 'Politics is like prostitution and piano-playing. The earlier you start the better."
---
Certainly, Randolph began early and vigorously in politics, first in support of his father, later in his own candidacies. His voice and delivery were excellent, his judgments irregular. His 1935 attempt for a seat in parliament from Wavetree was a disaster.
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The footnote on page 158 explains the preparation Winston took in preparing his speeches.
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The footnote on page 313 describes Winston's care with words. He would not allow anybody to refer to the days when Britain's fate hung in the balance as "dark." He preferred instead that people followed him and describe them as "stern."
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Page 215 describes the good respectful and complementary relationship between Pamela (then Randolph's wife) and his mother Clementine.
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In my youth, I heard much of the benefits of self-control. Pages 254-255 provide even more examples of how Randolph was a loose cannon, causing far too many problems for himself and others.
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This is an informative, captivating biography of an important family.
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Certainly, Randolph began early and vigorously in politics, first in support of his father, later in his own candidacies. His voice and delivery were excellent, his judgments irregular. His 1935 attempt for a seat in parliament from Wavetree was a disaster.
---
The footnote on page 158 explains the preparation Winston took in preparing his speeches.
---
The footnote on page 313 describes Winston's care with words. He would not allow anybody to refer to the days when Britain's fate hung in the balance as "dark." He preferred instead that people followed him and describe them as "stern."
---
Page 215 describes the good respectful and complementary relationship between Pamela (then Randolph's wife) and his mother Clementine.
---
In my youth, I heard much of the benefits of self-control. Pages 254-255 provide even more examples of how Randolph was a loose cannon, causing far too many problems for himself and others.
---
This is an informative, captivating biography of an important family.
May 2, 2022
This was a really interesting book and a cool way to explore the life of Winston Churchill. It wasn’t so much about his accomplishments as his relationship with his family, specifically that with his son, Randolph. It was sad to see how egotism, pride, and self-centerdness led loving and wonderful relationships to never achieve their full potential. Randolph was dissatisfied with life for he most part, he never accomplished what he wanted and always lived in his fathers shadow. But it seems that he was unlikely to be truly happy even if he’d achieved the potential he envisioned for himself. His father at least struggled with similar feelings even though he did achieve his Herculean goals in life. Winston’s final words were, “I’m bored with it all.” He did so much, accomplished incredible things and changed the world, yet he struggled with feeling like his life was meaningful when he wasn’t in the thick of things. I wonder if they’d have been happier if they had focused outward more. I have a lot of respect for Winston and Randolph, even though I can recognize now the areas they struggled with and the ways they fell short. The book definitely inspired me to put people before problems and achievements. Cool book and I’d recommend it if you like biographies.
April 8, 2021
I find the Churchill family as fascinating and as thoroughly covered as the Kennedys, so to find a biography as well researched as this one is a treasure. The title Churchill & Son refers as astutely to Winston and his father Randolph as it does to Winston and his own son Randolph; the family dysfunction applied equally to both generations and Josh Ireland pulls no punches. I was as interested in reading about the women in this family as the men, and appreciated the level of detail devoted to so many. Indeed the scope of family members, staffers and politicians included here is incredible, and yet takes away nothing from the readability of the book. It is hard to fathom how someone so self-centered could achieve such greatness, and live so long despite such utter disregard for health and well-being. What an amazing legacy.
January 4, 2022
Winston Churchill's childhood was almost entirely free of parental love. When the great man had his first and only son, he made sure that Randolph had all the love – and then some – that Winston never had.
The result? A spoiled, self-indulgent, argumentative, trouble-making, philandering, alcoholic jerk.
That's what we learn in Churchill & Son, a comprehensive duo biography, part Churchill, part Randolph.
Randolph adored his father, and Churchill adored his son. But Churchill's indulgence of his only son ruined Randolph, turning him into a monster (although he did have some admirers, mostly people who enjoyed being around an insufferable ass).
Churchill & Son is a tad too long (375 pages), but it's a fascinating glimpse into the private life of one of the 20th century's giants, and his unfortunate offspring.
The result? A spoiled, self-indulgent, argumentative, trouble-making, philandering, alcoholic jerk.
That's what we learn in Churchill & Son, a comprehensive duo biography, part Churchill, part Randolph.
Randolph adored his father, and Churchill adored his son. But Churchill's indulgence of his only son ruined Randolph, turning him into a monster (although he did have some admirers, mostly people who enjoyed being around an insufferable ass).
Churchill & Son is a tad too long (375 pages), but it's a fascinating glimpse into the private life of one of the 20th century's giants, and his unfortunate offspring.
October 8, 2024
If there was a study about the influence of parents, one should include multiple generations of Churchills. Winston Churchill was raised by a beloved nanny and with complete neglect by his parents and sometimes cruelty by his father. Randolph was completely doted and pampered by Winston (his Mother wasn’t a fan) who grew to avoid him because of his haughty/stubborn attitude. Randolph was apart of and listened in on some of the most important conversations in history, therefore he presumed his opinion mattered most. It did not because often it was not fully informed or only listened to people who agreed with him. His choices often left him destitute for money, father bailed him out many times, only to tell his father not to intervene in his life. I purchased this book in Hatchards, London, 12 July 2024, where they kindly have a Churchill section.
June 20, 2021
Winston Churchill loved his father but his father did not return that live. He spoke to him rarely and only for the purpose of a rebuke. Winston continued to try and please his father and never said a bad thing about him. Winston vowed to love and support his children and sadly for Randolph, this became enabling to bad behavior. Randolph loved and admired his father. While Winston sought to do his duty and worked to better the world, Randolph drank to excess, womanized, and gambled beyond his means.
Josh Ireland does an excellent job looking at behaviors and personalities of both father and son. Their relationship caused each much happiness and much despair. I was reading this book and The Splendid and the Vile at the same time. It was a lot of Churchill but excellent!
Josh Ireland does an excellent job looking at behaviors and personalities of both father and son. Their relationship caused each much happiness and much despair. I was reading this book and The Splendid and the Vile at the same time. It was a lot of Churchill but excellent!
August 23, 2021
The relationship between a parent and child is generally fraught. Being Winston Churchill's son amplified that tension. The Prime Minister's own father was an abusive tyrant and in an effort to compensate, he indulged his son and twisted him just as expertly as he had himself been twisted. The consequence was a son who never lived up to the possibilities his birth had foreshadowed. The painful reality of Randolph Churchill's life, unfortunately, played itself out before the world among powerful people and backlit by a world war that only accelerated his failures and decline. Ireland has written an engaging chronicle that reiterates much that we already know, while staying entirely focused on the tragedy of a famous father and his infamous son.
April 12, 2021
Have read many books of historical nature that included
Winston Churchill. Really interested in the troubled son Randolph whom Winston enabled in bad behavior due to Winston’s own horrible father Lord Randolph lack of love and support for Winston. Lord Randolph was horrible to Winston.
This book told me why Winston enabled Randolph and why this frustrated Clementine who already felt neglected herself.
Interesting.
I listened to this book on Audible. The narrator was overwrought with being sure to use emphasis on every other word in his reading which detracted immensely from the information. Perhaps if I’d read the book instead of listened I’d have given it 4 stars.
Winston Churchill. Really interested in the troubled son Randolph whom Winston enabled in bad behavior due to Winston’s own horrible father Lord Randolph lack of love and support for Winston. Lord Randolph was horrible to Winston.
This book told me why Winston enabled Randolph and why this frustrated Clementine who already felt neglected herself.
Interesting.
I listened to this book on Audible. The narrator was overwrought with being sure to use emphasis on every other word in his reading which detracted immensely from the information. Perhaps if I’d read the book instead of listened I’d have given it 4 stars.
December 9, 2021
My favorite bio in some time! A brilliant page-turning, it's brutally emotional, helping you care about each family member.
An intimate account of Churchill's full life, and why his rarely shared experiences with his parents transformed him to the force he was.
Ireland also points that incense light on family relationships were developed, sparred, and evolved for his youth as well.
.
Revealing and complicated - seldomly seen family intimacies are exposed for both Winston and Clementine, as well as all three of their kids (two of which were beloved, one wasn't). Perfect narrative nonfiction.
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
An intimate account of Churchill's full life, and why his rarely shared experiences with his parents transformed him to the force he was.
Ireland also points that incense light on family relationships were developed, sparred, and evolved for his youth as well.
.
Revealing and complicated - seldomly seen family intimacies are exposed for both Winston and Clementine, as well as all three of their kids (two of which were beloved, one wasn't). Perfect narrative nonfiction.
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
May 18, 2021
After thinking about the title of Josh Ireland’s book, “Churchill and Son”, I decided it was definitely a clever title. I had thought the book was about Winston and his son, Randolph, til I started it and found that much of it was about Winston and his father, Randolph. So the title is applicable to both sets of fathers and sons. I don’t know if author Ireland meant the title to read that way, but maybe I’ll find out when I read further.
WARNING, I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF READING THE BOOK, SO THIS IS NOT THE FINAL REVIEW. PLEASE CHECK BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THANKS.
WARNING, I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF READING THE BOOK, SO THIS IS NOT THE FINAL REVIEW. PLEASE CHECK BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THANKS.
May 7, 2023
Neesmu biogrāfiju fans, bet šī uzrunāja. Neapšaubāmi par Čerčilu dzirdēts daudz, arī filmas redzētas, bet šeit viņš tika parādīts tieši caur sava dēla prizmu, nezināju par viņa skaudro bērnību, attiecībām ar tēvu un skumjo noslēgumu ar paša dēlu. Žēl, ka tā viss beidzies. Grūti tiem izcilo vecāku bērniem. Bet grāmata patiesi saistoša un ievelkoša.
''maizes šķēlēm jābūt plānām kā vafeles, jo tas ir tikai transporta līdzeklis, kas nogādā vēderā visu pārējo.'' /69/
''Feldmaršals Montgomerijs reiz teica Vinstonam: "Es nedzeru, nesmēķēju un daudz guļu, tāpēc es esmu formā par visiem simts procentiem.'' Vinstons atbildēja: ''Es daudz dzeru, maz guļu un vienā laidā smēķēju, tāpēc esmu formā par divsimt procentiem.'' /116/
''maizes šķēlēm jābūt plānām kā vafeles, jo tas ir tikai transporta līdzeklis, kas nogādā vēderā visu pārējo.'' /69/
''Feldmaršals Montgomerijs reiz teica Vinstonam: "Es nedzeru, nesmēķēju un daudz guļu, tāpēc es esmu formā par visiem simts procentiem.'' Vinstons atbildēja: ''Es daudz dzeru, maz guļu un vienā laidā smēķēju, tāpēc esmu formā par divsimt procentiem.'' /116/
April 2, 2024
Interesting psychological profile of Winston Churchill and his son and their relationship and how it impacted both. It also outlined Churchill's own father and their relationship. Certain [unattractive] character traits were shared by the three of them. There was much I didn't know of Churchill and what was most fascinating was that the traits which caused so many family problems my have been key to him being the great and inspiring wartime he was.
June 9, 2025
Churchill was a complicated man formed, like all of us, by his childhood. His father, whom he adored, had a horrible relationship with him, considering the younger man a failure. Hoping to have a wonderful legacy relationship with his own son, Winston Churchill tried to push Randolph to politics, hoping that he, too, one day would be Prime Minister. But Randolph had a drinking problem (severe) and a womanizing problem. This history provides another view of a complicated man and family.
July 21, 2021
I enjoyed this book, but more because I always enjoy learning more about Churchill. In a way, this book was more about Churchill than his son. I feel like Randolph wasn't even mentioned in some chapters. So, for those looking for something entirely different than all the other Churchill books out there, this might not deliver. But, nonetheless, I enjoyed the book.
January 2, 2022
Tragic, but excellent account on the life of Randolph Churchill, the only son of Winston. Though Randolph’s life can be summarized in a fairly straightforward manner, Ireland takes the time to show Randolph at his best in addition to his worst, and readers stand to benefit from examining the layers and complexities presented.
August 3, 2023
Excellent study of a dysfunctional relationship between father and son. Ostensibly because of neglect by his own father, Winston chose to lavish praise upon his only son. Sometimes, however, parental behaviors can prevent a child from ever growing up and taking personal responsibility. Such sadly was the case with Churchill & Son. Kristi & Abby Tabby
August 29, 2024
Biogrāfisks darbs par slavena cilvēka ģimeniskajām attiecībām. Par dēla atrašanos tēva ēnā, un kā tās iespaidoja viņa dzīvi. Stāsts par trijām paaudzēm un pierādījums, ka ne vienmēr tā maigāka audzināšana dod labākos augļus. Nedaudz pieskarās arī vēsturei, skatoties no Lielbritānijas puses, mums latviešiem ne tik daudz zināmas puses.
April 16, 2021
Biography of Winston Churchill’s son Randolph. So many advantages & talents he squandered. My favorite parts of the book were the details about Winston Churchill the man. I wish the book had more than brief mentions of his sisters. Well written & researched and very readable
June 15, 2021
Hard to put down. It's a book about families and how children are shaped by their environments (parenting). Churchill was a great man bit a lousy parent who spoilt his son creating a self-entitled brutish man.
September 16, 2021
Winston and his son had a very complex relationship. They hollered at each other with terrible insults. Sometimes they were close friends. Winston was the only person Randolph loved. Interesting book.
April 20, 2022
I have read quite a few books on Churchill. I enjoyed this one because it gave me a new angle/ perspective on Churchill and of course on his son Randolph. Churchill and Son used many valuable resources. The book moved right along and covered many other individuals pertaining to the history.
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