Iron Shipbuilding on the Thames, 1832-1915 An Economic & Business History Book

This book is the story of Clementine Churchill, wife of the legendary Winston Churchill written by their daughter.

If follows Clementine until she marries Churchill and then follows both of them as a dual biography and works in the the story of their children. It is an insightful look into the lives the Churchill's. Their legacy and impact on the 20th century was huge and understanding them and their times is worthwhile.

A couple random things that stood out to me, the suffragettes were surprisingly annoying with some of their outrageous behavior. Clementine had a rich suitor for four years that she accepted his friendship, a flower a day, his gifts, traveled with him. But never loved him. How sad for him. :(

Clementine, while close to her husband, and at times close to her children as they became adults, had few close relationships with anyone outside of Winston. How sad!

"Winston and his life filled Clementine's whole existence, and when she was well and in good form she neither desired nor needed other companions or distraction. But when she was low and fretted, and her "batteries needed recharging", it was often difficult to find a good solution. As her daughters grew up, she turned to each one and found company and companionship. But daughters soon have their own lives, careers, husbands, and children. Clementine's diffidence in personal relationships made her hesitate to propose herself to other people, because she was to shy and could not bring herself to to be a little more natural and carefree in her approach. Thus in a life full of people, she knew much loneliness."


This book is a biography of not merely the facts about these people, but it records their emotional relationship as found in their letters and through the eyes of their daughter. This subject was not really something that I caught/or saw growing up. My last serious relationship showed me how much I needed to learn in this area and seeing how Winston and Clementine found in each other such rest and assurance was educational.

While the author portrays her parents in a overall positive light she also notes their flaws as people and relationships. This is not hagiography.