News From the Front

SEPTEMBER BRINGS CHARTWELL

September is the month in which Winston Churchill purchased Chartwell. First shown the derelict Chartwell Manor in July 1921, Churchill instantly fell in love with its magnificent views overlooking the Weald of Kent. When the house failed to sell at auction, Churchill pounced. Five days after his daughter Mary was born, on September 24, 1922, his new offer was accepted. The rest is Churchillian history… and, ultimately, our history too.

AUGUST AND “THE FEW”

August will always be the month of “The Few,” perhaps Winston Churchill’s most eloquent speech of inspiration, delivered on August 20th 1940 to the House of Commons extolling victory in “The Battle of Britain.” One can find “The Few” in many different corners of Chartwell Booksellers.

JULY AND OUR LIBERTY RESTORED

This 4th of July  weekend brings the restoration of our liberty here at Chartwell Booksellers, as a years-long lobby construction/obstruction project has ended. Come visit us in July and we will welcome you once again, freely, and without obstructions.

A PAINTING RETURNS IN JUNE

It’s no secret that Winston Churchill detested the portrait of him infamously painted by artist Graham Sutherland in honor of Churchill’s  80th Birthday in 1954. Sutherland painted a number of studies of Churchill as he labored toward this final portrait. One of them was auctioned at Sotheby’s this month.

THE MAJESTIC MONTH OF MAY

May is the month of Winston Churchill’s ascendancy as wartime Prime Minister. Churchill became PM on May 10, 1940. From his first day in charge, onwards to victory (on May 8, 1945, VE Day), Churchill’s resolution to inspire by appealing to the very best in those around him remains an object lesson in leadership. May is a good month to celebrate that leadership. 

Celebrate with us.

HAPPY 41ST BIRTHDAY TO US!

WE OPENED 41 YEARS AGO:
APRIL 11, 1983.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUR NEW PODCAST CHANNEL

We are delighted to introduce our new PODCAST channel, transforming our 40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS videos into podcasts that you can listen to anywhere. We continue to add new podcasts regularly. Tune in now on Apple, Amazon or Spotify.

’40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS’ FINIS: A FINAL WORD

Having reached the end of our 40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS video series, we offer one “next” book, LETTERS FOR THE AGES, to kick off our next 40 years, plus a final word of thanks.

WATCH ELIZABETH McGOVERN READ “MARY CHURCHILL’S WAR” BY MARY SOAMES

We have reached the climax of our 40th Anniversary video voyage through the 40 best books about Winston Churchill published during Chartwell Booksellers’ lifetime. And we do so with the absolute perfect final reader: actor ELIZABETH McGOVERN, in a long-awaited return appearance, reading our 40th and final book!

WATCH AUTHOR CATHERINE GRACE KATZ READ “THE DAUGHTERS OF YALTA”

Published on the cusp of 2021, “THE DAUGHTERS OF YALTA” offers a truly fresh take on the Yalta Conference, through the eyes of daughters Anna Roosevelt, Kathleen Harriman and Sarah Churchill. It is Book #39 in our ’40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS’ video series, as read by the author herself.

WATCH LEWIS BLACK READ “THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE” BY ERIK LARSON

Published in 2020, “THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE” remains one of the biggest-selling books about Winston Churchill to appear during Chartwell Bookseller’s lifetime. It is Book #38 in our 40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS video series, as read by the incomparable: LEWIS BLACK.

WATCH BECKY ANN BAKER READ “WORKING WITH WINSTON” BY CITA STELZER

Published in 2019, “WORKING WITH WINSTON” is the only book to explore the lives and careers of Churchill’s all-female “hidden army” of personal secretaries. It is Book #37 in our ’40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS’ video series, as read by actor BECKY ANN BAKER, and dedicated to “CHIPS” GEMMELL, Churchill’s last living personal secretary.