Speaking for Themselves - Audiobook (Part One)

Synopsis: This is a fascinating collection of the personal correspondence between Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine between 1908-1929.

Review: Though this is only volume one and so contains only half of the letters, it's still an engrossing sixteen hours long. What I loved about the letters most was how lovable and affectionate Winston's were, for all his rather serious public persona he was obviously a deeply devoted (as he often liked to sign himself) husband and father. It's often said that Winston's unhappy childhood and the lack of affection felt from his mother and father made him all the more appreciative of the love he felt for and received from Clemmie. Clementine's letters were affectionate too but what struck me most about hers was the fact that she wasn't afraid to give out political advice to Winston or to strenuously write in favour of taking said advice when she thought it was going unheeded.

In the main though their letters are full of love and concern for one another. Winston being referred to as pug, dog or pig often and Clemmie being his puss or cat. The children (five in all) are the precious PK's (puppy kittens) which now I've written it down all seems rather silly but doesn't come across so at all because the letters are full of such sound good sense. They are wonderfully romantic letters though for the most part. There were very few that were terse or cross .. none at all I think from Winston (though he could be resolute, in the face of her disapproval, about sticking to his guns politically.) I think I fell in love with him a bit myself just listening to him telling her how lucky he was and how beautiful she is. Then again some letters were burnt or destroyed - both Clemmie and Winston sent letters to each other that were meant for each others eyes only but these were of a mostly political nature and at times of great political sensitivity and secrecy - others have been edited or weeded out so it's not a complete picture but a pretty detailed one all the same.

The first few letters are about their early (quite short) courtship and marriage, then we follow Winston through to his cabinet position in Asquith's Liberal government, his disastrous involvement in the Gallipoli campaign which devastated him and forced him to leave government and his time spent serving on the Western Front commanding the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. These letters from the trenches and dugouts are fascinating, sometimes Winston sends home lists of the things he needs and my mind was boggling with the thought of Clemmie parcelling up sleeping bags, sturdy boots, brandy and cigars .. though quite possibly she didn't have to go and queue up at the post office and wait interminably for 'cashier number four please' to become vacant.

This particular volume of letters ends with Winston as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Baldwin's Conservative party. I'm looking forward to downloading the second half of the letters which will take me through his time as prime minister to their end days.