This account of the life of Jennie Jerome (Mrs. Randolph) Churchill, was written by her great-niece, Anita Leslie. That gives her access to a lot of family letters and other interesting stories that she heard first hand from her grandmother, but it probably also gives her a slight bias in favor of Mrs. Churchill.

She must have been a very dynamic woman. Evidence, beyond having produced a man the value and caliber of Winston Churchill, can be found in the kind of acceptance she had among the peerage in England and her sustained appeal and energy until her unexpected death brought on my a fall. She was a huge influence on her sons and is largely responsible for Winston Churchill's attitude and abilities.

After the death of Winston's father, Randolph, she married twice...both times to men seriously younger than herself. The first was Winston's age and the second even younger than her son. In both instances, there appears to have been true and lasting devotion.

I could not help thinking about Edith Wharton's tales of American women seeking titled husbands in England. Perhaps the life of Jennie Churchill helped flush those tales and give them life. I enjoyed reading about her life and the early life of Winston Churchill as well. It made me realize how much I do not know about this man for whom I have always had so much admiration. ( )