Rachel Trethewey uses previously unpublished letters from the Churchill archives to tell the story of the Churchill sisters in the aptly named biography, The Churchill Sisters. The four girls – Diana, Sarah, Marigold, and Mary – each had a distinctive personality and each had a unique relationship with both their mother and their more famous father. Marigold died young and had little time to reach her own potential. The other three girls, performed supportive duties for their father which sometimes seemed easier than finding significant lives of their own.
In keeping with the roles expected at the time, their brother Randolph had higher expectations as the only male. Yet, the sisters seemed to have greater potential. Diana probably could have been a political figure on her own but she wound up supporting not only her father but her husband in a traditional female role. Mary took on a typical role of putting her family first and becoming a public figure in her own right late in life. Sarah, not so bound by convention, became an actress and pursued her career in America.
For the history buff who also likes human interest and the intertwining of public and family life of the famous, The Churchill Sisters delves into the personal family life of Winston and Clementine Churchill and their children. It focuses on the daughters but also includes a set of eccentric cousins and world events from places like Yalta and Potsdam. Their story includes wars, suicides, and warm family times. This is written to appeal to those who like a traditional well-researched biography.