Winston and Clementine: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the Churchills - Hardcover

Here is yet another Churchill biography, aimed at the general reader. Hough has written several biographies of the Mountbattens and a number of military histories, several of them focused on Winston Churchill ( The Longest Battle: The War at Sea, 1939-45 , LJ 5/1/87; The Greatest Crusade: Roosevelt, Churchill, and the Naval Wars , LJ 1/86), and this story of the Prime Minister and his wife also leans more to military history than one might expect. Hough is indulgent in his treatment of Winston, but he does not like Clementine, though he sometimes has trouble finding reasons for his animus. Most of his intended audience would prefer Piers Brendon's Winston Churchill: A Biography ( LJ 9/15/84) or Mary Soames's biography of her mother, Clementine Churchill ( LJ 10/15/79). Not an essential purchase for most libraries.
- Nancy C. Cridland, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Hough ( Mountbatten: Hero of Our Time ) here offers a tribute to Winston Churchill in a splendidly told tale. The title is misleading, however, for this is not really a book about two people but rather a biography of Winston that includes much detail about his married life. Hough's technique of pausing in his historical narrative and switching to the present to muse over how certain events "might" have occurred may be criticized by historians, but it is an effective literary device. Most interesting--and chilling--is the depiction of the youthful Winston slaughtering Indian rebels and writing home of his desire to "wear my medals at some big dinner." Hough is a charming writer and his admiration for his subject so genuine that readers will find his work irresistible. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.