A fresh perspective on Churchill and wartime life through the eyes of the nurse charged with looking after the Prime Minister. In February 1943, when the course of the Second World War hung in the balance, 68-year-old Prime Minister Winston Churchill was stricken with pneumonia. Doris Miles, from St Mary's Hospital in London, was appointed as his private nurse. During her time with Churchill, she wrote regularly to her husband, a Surgeon-Lieutenant with the Royal Navy, about life at the centre of Britain's war effort, and about Churchill himself. With unrivalled intimacy, her observations show a very human and seldom-seen side of the great man and include many amusing anecdotes. She describes with wry humour their arguments and conversations, and life at Downing Street and Chequers. She writes as well of the everyday events that carried on despite the war; weddings and parties, family and friends, births and deaths, and working life at one of London's busiest hospitals. She describes her feelings, her fears and her hopes for the future. This is a poignant and perceptive collection of previously unpublished letters that shows an ordinary person's perspective of Churchill through a crucial period of the war, as well as how the war affected those at home, unfiltered by the lens of history. It is also a love story, from a newly-wed young woman whose husband went to war. This exclusive wartime source is adroitly woven into the wider context of those turbulent times.

About the Author
Jill Rose was born at St. Mary's Hospital in London and received her B.Sc. degree from University College. She was a computer scientist for many years, and after living in Canada, Washington D.C. and Hawaii, she retired to South Florida with her husband. Jill is the second daughter of Doris and Roger Miles, and she has lovingly and meticulously transcribed their wartime correspondence. The Hon. Emma Soames is the granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill. She is the former editor of the Literary Review, Tatler, and the Telegraph magazine.

Reviews
'These letters are of genuine historical importance to anyone interested in Churchill and the Second World War. They provide a fascinating, and occasionally moving, account of wartime Britain. Supported by the fine scholarship of the author, this book reminds us of the good-nature and humanity of the Greatest Briton, even while he was under unimaginable stress and a life-threatening illness. I heartily recommend it.' -- Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny
'A very valuable and unique insight.' -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson, author of The Churchill Factor
'A top quality, outstanding read, this well written book is historically accurate and enhanced by unique photographs.' -- Professor Allister Vale, co-author of Winston Churchill's Illnesses 1886-1965
'This book provides a fascinating and intimate account of life in a leading London hospital at the height of the Second World War, including the wedding of our own parents. A thoroughly absorbing read.' -- David Suchet (actor) and John Suchet (former ITN News anchor, Classic FM presenter)



Book Information
ISBN 9781398109056
Author Jill Rose
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 297g