Winston and Clemintine: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the Churchills

Hough ( Mountbatten: Hero of Our Time ) here offers a tribute to Winston Churchill in a splendidly told tale. The title is misleading, however, for this is not really a book about two people but rather a biography of Winston that includes much detail about his married life. Hough's technique of pausing in his historical narrative and switching to the present to muse over how certain events ``might'' have occurred may be criticized by historians, but it is an effective literary device. Most interesting--and chilling--is the depiction of the youthful Winston slaughtering Indian rebels and writing home of his desire to ``wear my medals at some big dinner.'' Hough is a charming writer and his admiration for his subject so genuine that readers will find his work irresistible. Photos not seen by PW. (Jan.)