First Lady cover art

First Lady

The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free

$8.99/month after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 29 July 2026 at 11:59 AEST.
More purchase options

First Lady

By: Sonia Purnell
Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
Get this deal

$8.99/month after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends on 29 July 2026 at 11:59 AEST.

Buy Now for $32.54

Buy Now for $32.54

Without Churchill's inspiring leadership, Britain could not have survived its darkest hour and repelled the Nazi menace. Without his wife, Clementine, however, he might never have become Prime Minister. By his own admission, the Second World War would have been 'impossible without her'.

Clementine was Winston's emotional rock and his most trusted confidante. Yet her ability to charm Britain's allies and her humanitarian efforts on the home front earned her deep respect. Now Sonia Purnell explores the peculiar dynamics of this fascinating union.

©2016 Sonia Purnell (P)2016 Oakhill Publishing Music Politicians Politics & Activism Imperialism Winston Churchill War Leadership Military
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

Critic Reviews

"Engrossing.... Clementine Churchill became her husband's essential confidante and adviser, vetting his speeches, smoothing over his faux pas, dealing with his constituents.... Purnell's book is the first formal biography of a woman who has heretofore been relegated to the sidelines." ( The New York Times)
"Winston Churchill kept nothing from Clementine. 'You know,' he informed FDR, 'I tell Clemmie everything.' Purnell has delivered an astute, pacey account of a woman who hardly ever emerged from the shadows. It is a sharp analysis of what it meant to be a politician's wife...and shows how much we can learn about Winston Churchill from his wife and marriage." ( The Wall Street Journal)
"Thorough and engaging.... Purnell's extensive and insightful biography offers a much welcome portrait of Clementine Churchill, a woman whose remarkable life has long been overshadowed by her famous husband." ( Washington Post)
"Compellingly readable.... Sonia Purnell's biography of Winston's wife Clementine brings her out from behind the shadow cast by the Great Man. She became her husband's wise counselor, discreetly offering sound advice, re-writing his speeches, toning down his foolish or angry letters, preventing him from making certain terrible political mistakes.... Her wheeling and dealing was done behind a veil of gracious femininity." ( The Independent)
"Eye-opening.... A bold biography of a bold woman; at last Purnell has put Clementine Churchill at the center of her own extraordinary story, rather than in the shadow of her husband's." ( Mail on Sunday)
"Fascinating.... [Purnell's] book may leave you thinking Clementine is one of the most underrated, complex women in British history." ( The Daily Beast)
All stars
Most relevant
This book is an unflinching biography of Clemintine Churchill and, incidentally, of a long marriage's ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies. It is beautifully read excepting the chapter where the reader mixes up Austria and Australia. This is one for those interested in modern history.

Very detailed biography

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I found the narrator much too English aristocratic for my (Cdn) liking. Growing up in Canada, I found it hard to follow the story because is assumed a knowledge of the characters. After plowing through most of it I gave up. There are so many good books out there, why waste my time listening to something I was not enjoying.

Not to my liking

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.