Winston Churchill: An Intimate Portrait

by Violet Bonham Carter

This superb account of the public and private life of Winston Churchill makes a rare firsthand contribution to the history of an epoch and to the understanding of one of the 20th Century's most influential leaders. Violet Bonham Carter, daughter of Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, was Churchill's close personal friend for nearly sixty years. Her book focuses on the formative and crucial years from 1906 to 1916 that shaped his political style as well as his philosophy. It contains a vast amount of material that has never been previously published.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Politics, British Literature, World War I

423 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Helen Violet Bonham Carter, Baroness Asquith of Yarnbury, DBE, known until her marriage as Violet Asquith, was a British politician and diarist. She was the daughter of H. H. Asquith, Prime Minister from 1908–1916, and later became active in Liberal politics herself, being a leading opponent of appeasement, standing for Parliament and being made a life peer. She was also involved in arts and literature.

Reviews

[Erin Gough · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography stands out as a more personal sort of memoir, special in the fact that the author, Lady Carter, was a close personal friend of Churchill for much of his life. Because of this, the biography focuses less on facts and more on a personal and opinionated level of interaction. However, it is invaluable as a source for someone in the inner circle of the British governement directly before and during The Great War. It is well written by someone with obvious knowledge and understanding, both about Churchill and about the governement workings at the time. However, the pace is very leisurely, and at times the narrative focuses specifically on the author, rather than keeping strictly to her interactions with Churchill. My one major complaint about the book is that it makes no mention of Churchill's most famous and most triumphant time in life, in World War II.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the writing style of this book - lots of complex, rolling sentances, adjectives, and flowery descriptions. The author assumes her readers know many of the people she writes about, because her contemporary readers would have probably known them. But for me, I needed to refer to Wikipedia quite often. The book was published in 1965, and Violet Bonham Carter was a contemporary and friend of Winston Churchill. She knew him as well as anyone, except perhaps his mother. But one gets the sense from her writings that even a close confidante might get no more or less than any person he communicated with or who listened to one of his speaches. One might even get the sense that who he was deep down inside was the same as who he was to the public. Even when every friend and supporter of Churhill thought his positions on some issues were ill-advised or abhorent, he plunged forward full force, and delivered his thoughts publically and confidently, with conviction. Which is why he was described by the author as having, "unabashed confidence, unsquashable resiliance," and "contempt for humdrum conformity." He had some very dedicated supporters who supported him at the sacrifice of their own reputations, such as the author's father, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr. Asquith. Churchill was as comfortable leading the British Admiralty, as he was leading troops into battle, and he thought both jobs were equally important, and in fact gave up the former to do the latter for a short stint in WWI. He also exhibited immense bravery in commanding troops, seeming to be unaware as others would be of the tremendous loss his demise would be. He once commented that he loved war. I would have given it 5 stars except that I had great difficulty understanding all of the inner-workings of parliament, which I felt was a bit taken for granted by the author. All of this dissolving- the-government business is so strange to an American, but apparently it's a common process for the Brits. But I can't say the author facilitated much improvement in my knowledge on this topic. And since Churchill's years in Parliament featured most prominently in this book, it cost a star. But only one, as I really enjoyed the book overall. Readers will also get a little taste for what it was like to travel in upper class circles, wining and dining and traveling the world.

[Melsene G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written diary like story of the author's relationship with Winston Churchill particularly during the early years and during her father's time as PM, 1908-1916. The book stops there so you don't know how they got on in later years. We're still in the middle of WW1 here so another volume would help.

The author was the daughter of Prime Minister Asquith and had first hand knowledge of the ongoings of the British government at that time. She met Winston in 1906 when she was 19 and he was 32. Her dad was Chancellor of the Exchequer at that time and Winston undersecretary for the Colonies. She saw genius in Winston and developed a close relationship with him that lasted forever.

The book focuses on Winston's travails during this time. He was in and out of the Cabinet. Still a young man with a lot to learn. There is much about the controversy with Lord Fisher and Gallipoli. She reveals unfavorable info about Winston, good times and bad and from a different angle than other biographies of Winston. As far as learning anything new or different, you get an inside look since the author was the PMs close confidante and daughter. It seems that in those days in England, daughters and sons knew everything that was going on and were privy to highly confidential information. I don't know that this would work here today.

The book is rather fat, includes some photos, and will take time to read as it's very detailed. Again, it's very well written and keeps your interest. The author had a wonderful career after this time frame per Wikipedia and yes, the actress with her name is her granddaughter!

[Sam Romilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Fascinating details going up to WW1. Explains the tragic failure of Gallipoli being due to complete mismanagement and incompetence of military leaders and the admiralty of that time. They preferred sacrificing divisions of men on futile attacks on the western front instead of sending them to Gallipoli before the Turks could have reinforced their defences. Shows Churchill in all his strengths and weaknesses. The only pity is that the volume 2 about the WW2 years was never written.

[Micheal Halton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting insight into the life and decision making of Churchill from someone who knew him from a young age and who had access to all of the main characters in the lead up to and during World War 1.

[Thomas Lambe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was simply excellent. Writing was superb. What a treat this was. Highly recommend. Felt like I was there during this historic period.

[Stinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author, being the daughter of a former prime minister, gives a good account of the political development of Churchill. She shares some fun stories and sheds light on his character as one who went "all out" in whatever role he held. Churchill is seen to have vices that are only matched and surpassed by his strengths. His shocking lack of awareness of the feelings of other persons' attitudes is counterbalanced by his clear-headed insight into future events. The author recounts episodes where Winston barely escaped with his life and points to the subject's own recognition that he was led by Providence, a small character in a much larger drama, over which he had little control. The writing is not amazing, nor is it dull. As one who adores Churchill, I'm glad to have read it.

[Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite characters from history, Winston Churchill's life is explored in this well-written biography. If you like history, especially around the time of the second world war, you will enjoy this!

[Tomkeese · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very personal biography that only goes to the end of WW I. Good insight into Churchill;s involvement with British government before and during WW I.

[John Burnham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but nothing special.