The First Churchill: Marlborough, Soldier and Statesman

by Correlli Barnett

Author's Acknowledgments
Author's Note
Author's Foreword
The Parting by the Water's Side
The Suspicions of the Dutch
So Little Service
Founding a Family
I Love You So Truly Well
Blenheim
Anne & Sarah
So What a Happy Man He Is
The Great Glorious Success
A Back Way to the Queen's Closet
The Instrument of So Much Happiness
A Very Murdering Battle
The Malice of a Bedchamber Woman
The Greatest Captain of the Age
Bibliographical References
Bibliography
Illustration Acknowledgments
Index

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Military History, France, British Literature, 18th Century

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

A freelance historian and writer, Correlli Barnett was educated at Trinity school and Exeter College, Oxford, where he took a degree in modern history. After national service in the Intelligence Corps from 1945 to 1948, Barnett worked for the North Thames Gas Board until 1957, then in public relations until 1963. He was historical consultant and part author of the BBC series 'The Great War' and won the 1964 Screen Writers' Guild Award for best British television documentary script.

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at the DesPlaines Public Library while visiting an old friend in Park Ridge, Illinois. A sucker for histories and biographies, I got it just in case the inspiration arose to learn something about John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough, someday. The day came quicker than expected as I was in a hurry to pick out a light read before rushing out and this lavishly illustrated volume seemed safe.

As it happens, it was more than safe. Churchill (1650-1722) was military commander of allied forces ranged against Louis XIV during the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714). The issue being whether the Spanish crown would be independent of France, then the strongest power in Europe, Churchill led his forces through a series of victories on the continent setting the stage for Treaty of Utrecht.

This is primarily a military biography of the first Duke of Marlborough, his relations with his family being discussed primarily with reference to the politics of the war, most particularly in terms of his relations with his sovereign, Queen Anne, relations particularly mediated by his wife for good and, eventually, for ill.

What I found outstanding were the author's descriptions of the campaigns and battles. Often in reading military histories I get confused or bogged down in details. This was not the case with Barnett. Adequate maps helpfully amplify the text so that the actions and counter-actions of the armies are clear.

Winston Churchill, Marlborough's remote descendant, is mentioned once.

[Norman Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlborough was a great general, the first to inflict serious defeats on Louis XIV's armies during Louis's long reign and time of warfare. In the end, the War of the Spanish Succession ended with major changes in the balance of power in Europe and abroad and much of this is due to Marlborough's successes over 10 years of leadership diplomatically and militarily.

The book is 275 pages but about 40% of that must be illustrations, so it is a quick, easy, and pleasant experience with real insight into the characters of the time.

Barnett's strength here is in assessing the complicated psychologies of Marlborough, his wife, Sarah, his Queen, Anne, and his colleagues, as well as others like Abigail Masham and Heinsius. This could become exceedingly tedious if a reader is uninterested in it but it does go a long way to explain the world in which they lived and the reasons for Marlborough's actions and hesitations.

Barnett has a nice line of sarcasm and metaphor throughout this book, making it a more lively and entertaining read that other biographies of Marlborough.

The book also has a great deal of illustration which helps somewhat but portraits of guys in wigs don't really add much to the story after the first couple of dozen or so. I wonder if this book was intended to be a prestige publication that would originally have commanded a very high price. I received this as a pass-on from a friend, and it will go to another friend, so the prestige element of the book is lost on me.

[Concetta Phillipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. It took me forever to get through as I am not as familiar with Marlborough and his work and was constantly looking up different historical events that were happening, especially with the Spanish Succession. Arguably, Barnett shines most on Marlborough's work during the succession period, which was helpful to me as this is not a subject covered during my childhood history classes. I recalled Charles II dying childless but didn't realize there were wars or other diplomatic clashes during this time.

This is the kind of book I will likely read again and gain even more out of it the second time around.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good effort. Strong on the court politics & their at times baleful influence on Marlborough’s attempts to win decisively. Shows his negative qualities too in touching on his avarice & occasional chronic indecision. The fragile nature of his control of events, dependant upon his wife’s friendship with the Queen is lightly but noticeably well done. Clearly depicted is an excellent general with huge coalition responsibilities whose warfare methods were generally to seek battle rather than take territory for the sake of it.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of Marlborough's life with lots and lots of pictures. Barnett is more interested here in his military accomplishments during the War of the Spanish Succession than he is in his life before 1704, though he ranges back and forth a bit. This is a biography about Marlborough as a public figure rather than as a private man.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful insider look at England's monarchy! My Lord Duke of Marlborough comes alive for readers through the skillful research and writing talent of author Corelli. (Yes, I almost cried at the end.)