Portrays the ambitious, brave, and arrogant English family that gave the world Winston Churchill, describing generations of ancestors who were reckless womanizers but also triumphant military leaders all saddled with the upkeep of the family palace, Blenheim.

"Originally published in Great Britain under the title The Churchills : a family at the heart of history from the Duke of Marlborough to Winston Churchill"--T.p. verso.

1650/1750 'thou art a rascal, John Churchill' -- 1850/74 Randolph and Jennie -- 1874/5 the birth of Winston -- 1875/80 a dysfunctional family -- 1880/7 a career thrown away -- 1887/95 Lilian's millions -- 1892/5 Consuelo, the dollar princess -- 1895/9 the unhappy duchess -- 1896/9 looking for trouble -- 1899/1900 national hero! -- 1900/4 the Young Lion -- 1904/7 my darling Clementine -- 1907/8 couples -- 1908/14 the next generation -- 1914/16 a fall from power -- 1917/21 the armistice and after -- 1921/4 black times -- 1921/31 the twenties -- 1932/7 changes at Blenheim -- 1938/9 towards Armageddon -- 1939/40 'but you don't know me' -- 1941/4 the long slog -- 1943/5 weathering the storm -- 1945/51 the aftermath -- 1952/5 a new era -- 1955/63 safe harbour -- 1963/78 crossing the bar.