Mary Churchill’s War

The Wartime Diaries of Churchill’s Youngest Daughter

By: Mary Churchill, Emma Soames - editor, Erik Larson - introduction

Narrated by: Beth Eyre, Emma Soames

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 10 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.

©2022 Emma Soames (P)2022 Tantor

Marvelous historical details

Captivating read! Brings the Era to life.
Her voice rings so true, and how she grows!

Excellent. A recorded history.

A wonderful book written from the diaries of a Winston Churchill's youngest daughter from age 16 until married, through youth, young adulthood, women's auxiliary military service during WWII, and more with the love and admiration for her illustrious father and supportive mother. A beautiful a and true story.

Brings WWII to life.

I enjoyed listening to this diary of Winston Churchill‘s youngest daughter. I had no idea about her life prior to listening to this book and it was refreshing to see a politician’s daughter put her own life on the line for her beliefs. While at some point, it does get a little tedious hearing her talk about going out to dinner parties and dances and the clothes that she would wear while other people were dying in droves and her lack of insight about the suffering of the Jewish people is an interesting omission from her diaries. It’s like she didn’t even give them one thought at all, but that’s just my perspective. Like I mentioned in the beginning, this girl was literally on rooftops shooting at German planes and experiencing the death of people that were in her social circle. I guess I’m just surprised at the lack of emotion surrounding all of it, but that does not negate from the story and I would highly recommend anybody to listen.

Such an interesting book

"Mary Churchill's War" are the personal diaries of Winston Churchill 's youngest daughter Mary Churchill Soames. Mary Churchill gives the listener such an interesting perspective of wartime England. Not only the important people but the Mary herself came across. Both narrators Beth Eyre and Emma Soames (Mary's daughter) did a great job. Any fan of history or Winston Churchill or history.

Spoiled, perhaps?

Mary’s diary was about her - how she dressed, what she ate, her low self esteem when she referred to herself as fat and how much she loved and respected her father. There were some painful entitled personality episodes and plenty of growing pains.
I enjoyed the fact that her daughter narrated.