Churchill

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.

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.

“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