Mary Churchills War, Mary Churchill
Mary Churchills War, Mary Churchill
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Mary Churchill's War
The Wartime Diaries of Churchill’s Youngest Daughter

Author: Mary Churchill, Erik Larson, Emma Soames

Narrator: Beth Eyre, Emma Soames

Unabridged: 11 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/07/2022


Synopsis

In 1939, seventeen-year-old Mary found herself in an extraordinary position at an extraordinary time: it was the outbreak of World War II and her father, Winston Churchill, had been appointed First Lord of the Admiralty; within months he would become prime minister.

The young Mary Churchill was uniquely placed to observe this remarkable historical moment, and her diaries—most of which have never been published until now—provide an immediate view of the great events of the war, as well as exchanges and intimate moments with her father. But these diaries also capture what it was like to be a young woman during wartime.

An impulsive and spirited writer, full of coming-of-age self-consciousness and joie de vivre, Mary's diaries are untrammeled by self-censorship or nostalgia. From aid raid sirens at ten Downing Street to seeing action with the women's branch of the British Army, from cocktail parties with presidents and royals to accompanying her father on key diplomatic trips, Mary's wartime diaries are full of color, rich in historical insight, and a charming and intimate portrait of life alongside Winston Churchill during a key moment of the twentieth century.

About Mary Churchill

Mary Churchill was the youngest daughter of Sir Winston and Baroness Clementine Spencer-Churchill. During the war, Mary served in the women's branch of the British Army and as an officer commanding mixed anti-aircraft batteries, for which she was awarded the MBE. After World War II, Mary continued to assist her father and was at Churchill's side during many of the key moments of his premiership. Mary was the author of several books, including a biography of her mother, and was chair of the National Theatre Board and patron of Churchill organizations and charities worldwide. She died on May 31, 2014.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Richard on August 24, 2022

The just released “Mary Churchill’s War” presents the wartime diary of Winston’s youngest child, daughter Mary Churchill Soames. The diary is curated by Mary’s daughter — Winston’s granddaughter — Emma Soames. Beginning in 1939 — when Mary was 16 years old — the diary provides a fascinating and in......more

Goodreads review by Carol on September 05, 2022

I loved this book! I listened to it via the Libby app from my local library. It is always good to be reminded that life wasn’t better in previous generations, and that others in the past have gone through great hardships. I’ve seen reviews that say hers was a petted, spoiled life. That she was all wr......more

Goodreads review by Lisa of Hopewell on June 08, 2022

My Interest I collect everything on the Churchills, so this is a natural for me. Seeing it on #Netgalley, I had to have it. I will be buying the print book, but this review is based on the audio in which the editor (and reader of the text connecting sections of the diary) is Mary's elder daughter, Em......more

Goodreads review by Richard on November 23, 2023

This was a fascinating read, being that it is diary entries recounting what Mary Churchill was up to in the war years. A very different format from traditional books, so that was a bit of a challenge. It doesn't flow as a regular book does, but is very interesting nonetheless. Would recommend for th......more

Goodreads review by Margaret on August 02, 2022

Fascinating perspective from Churchill's youngest child who documents her side of life during his prime ministership.......more