WINSTON AND THE WINDSORS

WINSTON AND THE WINDSORS
By Andrew Morton.

In his new book, award winning biographer, Andrew Morton, provides a fascinating insight to Winston Churchill and the relationships he shared with many members of both the monarchy and members of the Royal Family, throughout his political career.

Winston Churchill has been the subject of Hollywood films, documentaries and an infinite number of books. Throughout his life and especially during his political career, he was involved at the heart of many important moments in recent British history, including both world wars. 
What readers of this engrossing new book will learn is just how much of a role he played in the lives of the British Monarch and members of the Royal Family.

As the young and bullish Churchill would hold a variety of Cabinet posts, both before and during the first world war, his decisions and speeches often angered those in parliament and at Buckingham Palace. 
I was fascinated to learn just how much animosity there was between Churchill and King George V. 
Here were two very opinionated men, amidst the stresses of war, with the younger Winston seemingly not afraid to speak his mind to His Majesty. 

Decades later, with war again on the horizon, Churchill was at the centre of another crisis as his friend, King Edward VIII, abdicated. Events surrounding the now Duke and Wallis Simpson would prove to be a regular unwanted distraction throughout the following years.

Winston's time in office as a wartime Prime Minister is already a well told story. Andrew focuses on the relationship with King George VI. One that started with much friction, but eventually blossomed into a great friendship. 
It was also a time when Winston also developed a close bond with the next generation of royalty, in Princess Elizabeth. This continued throughout the post-war years to when the Princess herself became Queen and when Churchill became Prime Minister for a second time.

As new books on Churchill regularly appear, it is often asked if there is anything new to learn? Andrew Morton has certainly proven that there is and this magnificent book will not only be a cherished addition to my own modest Churchill collection, but has also been one of my favourite reads of this year!

The hardback book will be published this week by Michael O'Mara Books. 
I thank them for this review copy. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MITCHELL

Image
MITCHELL: Father of the Spitfire  By Paul Beaver. The majority of readers will have heard the name R.J. Mitchell and certainly his most famous aircraft design, the beloved Spitfire. Yet many, myself included, might not have known that his career began in railway engineering. This and so much more is revealed by author , Paul Beaver, who shares the full story of this remarkable man who became Supermarine's chief designer at the age of just 24. Alongside Reginald's career, we also learn how the Supermarine company was founded and then grew during the decades between the two world wars.  Mitchell's answering of Supermarine's job advertisement  would prove to be the beginning of a remarkable legacy. Importantly, o ne the author also states came about with the brains and skills of a talented group of people who have been too often overlooked. This legacy is of course far more than just the Spitfire. Many other types of aircraft especially flying boats were also d...
Read more

THE DUMMY DRONE

Image
THE DUMMY DRONE BY Rob More. Away from the Battle of Britain in the skies over the English Channel and Southern counties, or the devastating blitz bombing of London and other major cities, surely  the far North of Scotland would hardly be effected by the second world war?  Well the opposite was true. In this fabulous new book, local author and resident, Rob More reveals how the county of Caithness was a scene of great change from the coastline and beaches to the farmland, hills and villages. Not forgetting all those who lived and worked there.  With the area hosting a range of wartime installations and airfields it received many visits from the Luftwaffe. As we learn in the book, civilians and their properties would also be caught up in these raids. From the radar stations searching for enemy aircraft, to those recruited for the local Home Guard and the lesser known Auxiliary Units. Communities the length of Britain prepared for an expected German invasion. Ro...
Read more

ROYAL NAVY FORCE H: 1940-42

Image
ROYAL NAVY FORCE H 1940-42 This is book 14 in Osprey's 'Fleet' series and is written by naval historian, Angus Konstam. If you have read any second world war books on the Mediterranean war and/or Malta, then it is highly likely that Force H and its well respected commander, V.Adm. Sir James Somerville, is mentioned. Based at Gibraltar, Force H patrolled both the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean often escorting vital convoys to Malta. It was Somerville who led the fleet in the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir and they would also be later involved in the hunt for the Bismarck.  As well as describing the fleet's ships, its commander and their wartime endeavors, the role and defences of Gibraltar is also covered. This is an added bonus as most books generally only give Gibraltar a passing mention. With a fascinating narrative, aided with many useful maps, charts and original artwork, it is a book I have certainly enjoyed and would definitely rec...
Read more