Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons: The Lives of Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt

Margaret MacMillan praises two remarkable women, Jennie Jerome and Sara Delano, for shaping the characters of their sons, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and preparing them for the world stage.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2024
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Gray has accomplished the seemingly impossible feat of offering fresh and insightful perspectives on Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Margaret MacMillan, the author of Paris 1919, has provided a captivating two-way mirror into a world of privilege. Jennie Jerome and Sara Delano, two remarkable and often overlooked individuals, played crucial roles in shaping the characters of their sons, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and preparing them for the global stage. Born into upper-class America in 1854, both women defied expectations and refused to lead predictable lives as lesser-known wives to prominent men. Instead, they took control of their destinies, with Jennie navigating the glittering world of imperial London and Sara settling in the prosperous Hudson Valley. Jennie's vivacious personality and deft social manoeuvrings not only benefited her mercurial husband, Lord Randolph Churchill, but also her ambitious son, Winston. On the other hand, Sara Delano, a deeply conventional woman, married a man who was as old as her father. After her husband's passing, she devoted herself to Franklin, her only child, providing him with guidance and financial support that helped him become a successful politician. These women's stories highlight the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate the complexities of a privileged world. Their influence on their sons' lives and careers is undeniable, and their legacies continue to inspire and shape our understanding of history.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 199 x 130 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398527751