Overview

The Extraordinary Story of a Young Winston Churchill in the Boer War, as Told by His Granddaughter In this lively biography of a dashing, brash twenty-five-year-old Churchill, Celia Sandys chronicles her celebrated grandfather's adventures as a correspondent and combatant during nine months of the Anglo-Boer War--events that took him from the bivouacs and battle sites of Transvaal to his incarceration as a prisoner of war in Pretoria and ultimately to a bold escape across the border into Mozambique. Using both British and South African sources of testimony, which reveal the dauntless Winston alternately as a courageous ally or foolhardy foe, Sandys recounts the exploits of a Churchill that history has largely forgotten. With historical authority, narrative vigor, and singular charm, she offers both a fully drawn portrait of the ready adventurer who would become England's legendary prime minister and an illuminating account of the turbulent events that defined South Africa for modern times.

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9781510743861

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Fascinating narrative. . . . The romantic stuff of Victorian adventure fiction, but it has the virtue of being true. --New York Times Book Review A gripping narrative of Churchill's adventures as a young journalist. . . . An exciting tale that should be read, if for nothing else, for the fun of it. --Wall Street Journal Sandys, Winston Churchill's granddaughter, introduces readers to the youthful--and quite often cocky--adventurer who would eventually become one of Great Britain's most successful and admired prime ministers. . . . Written in a lively narrative style, this affectionate biographical portrait of a very young, very spirited, and very enterprising Winston Churchill succeeds in foreshadowing the magnitude of the renown he eventually achieved. A rip-roaring good read chock-full of action, suspense, and history. --Booklist This portrait of Winston Churchill, written by his granddaughter, unapologetically presents the future prime minister as an action hero in the Boer War. It's rousing reading. --Publishers Weekly A romping narrative. --Denver Post A diverting account by [Churchill's] granddaughter of a period regarded by the wartime leader as the most exciting adventure of his life. . . . A story of refreshing intimacy, illuminating events of 100 years ago with the humble testimony of history's bit-players. --Sunday Times A cracking good yarn. . . . For those who like history without the cobwebs, this is an absorbing, down-to-earth read. --Independent on Sunday [A] groundbreaking book--surprisingly the first to really get to grips with this period of Churchill's life . . . --Guardian [Sandys] displays a Churchillian way with prose; clear, concise, and highly readable. --Observer A fascinating story, told with a rare combination of insight, thoroughness, and charm. --Sunday Telegraph Enthralling stuff. --Daily Telegraph

""Fascinating narrative. . . . The romantic stuff of Victorian adventure fiction, but it has the virtue of being true."" --New York Times Book Review ""A gripping narrative of Churchill's adventures as a young journalist. . . . An exciting tale that should be read, if for nothing else, for the fun of it."" --Wall Street Journal ""Sandys, Winston Churchill's granddaughter, introduces readers to the youthful--and quite often cocky--adventurer who would eventually become one of Great Britain's most successful and admired prime ministers. . . . Written in a lively narrative style, this affectionate biographical portrait of a very young, very spirited, and very enterprising Winston Churchill succeeds in foreshadowing the magnitude of the renown he eventually achieved. A rip-roaring good read chock-full of action, suspense, and history."" --Booklist ""This portrait of Winston Churchill, written by his granddaughter, unapologetically presents the future prime minister as an action hero in the Boer War. It's rousing reading."" --Publishers Weekly ""A romping narrative."" --Denver Post ""A diverting account by [Churchill's] granddaughter of a period regarded by the wartime leader as the most exciting adventure of his life. . . . A story of refreshing intimacy, illuminating events of 100 years ago with the humble testimony of history's bit-players."" --Sunday Times ""A cracking good yarn. . . . For those who like history without the cobwebs, this is an absorbing, down-to-earth read."" --Independent on Sunday ""[A] groundbreaking book--surprisingly the first to really get to grips with this period of Churchill's life . . ."" --Guardian ""[Sandys] displays a Churchillian way with prose; clear, concise, and highly readable."" --Observer ""A fascinating story, told with a rare combination of insight, thoroughness, and charm."" --Sunday Telegraph ""Enthralling stuff."" --Daily Telegraph

Author Information

Celia Sandys is the granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill and the author of five books on Churchill, including We Shall Not Fail: The Inspiring Leadership of Winston Churchill and From Winston with Love and Kisses: The Young Churchill. She lives in London, England.

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