Winston Churchill’s political career was full of peaks and valleys while he served many roles in Britain’s government for the majority of five decades. Churchill’s fame rose as a correspondent documenting his time in South Africa during the Second Boer War at the beginning of the 20th Century. Churchill’s prolific writing produced 40 books and also netted him a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. In addition to the known works Churchill put together, there is countless correspondence to his wife, family, allies, and adversaries that many do not know about. Allen Packwood and James Drake have curated a selection of Churchill’s letters, including some that have never been published publicly, in Letters for the Ages: The Private and Personal Letters of Sir Winston Churchill.
Through 100 letters, Packwood and Drake offer relevant context to the events that shaped the correspondence. The reader learns how Churchill’s wife, Clementine, was arguably his strongest sounding board and non-political personal advisor. Correspondence between the two was intimate, often with Clementine advising Sir Winston on how to manage the personal side of politics in order to guide the country through challenging times. Additional correspondence includes various politicians and military leaders.
These letters open a window into Churchill’s mind and personality, his views on the issues of the moment, and his evolution as a leader and consequential politician in 20th Century Great Britain. Both Packwood and Drake offer clear, objective commentary to incorporate important details to the letters in this collection.
MY RATING - 5
