News From the Front

WATCH ESTHER, LADY GILBERT READ “CHURCHILL: A LIFE” BY SIR MARTIN GILBERT

In 1991, Sir Martin Gilbert published a one-volume rendering of the eight-volume Official Churchill Biography he’d written with Winston Churchill’s son, Randolph Churchill. His widow, ESTHER, LADY GILBERT, is again our guest reader for Book #9 in our ’40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS’ video series.

WATCH EDWINA SANDYS READ “WINSTON CHURCHILL: HIS LIFE AS A PAINTER,” BY MARY SOAMES

In 1990, Winston Churchill’s youngest daughter published a memoir of her father’s life as a painter. As Book # 8 in our ’40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS’ VIDEO SERIES, the late-Lady Soames’ memoir is read for us by her niece, Winston Churchill’s granddaughter, Edwina Sandys, who also shares her own very distinct memories of  “Grandpapa,” the painter.

WATCH “BILLIONS”‘ TED NEUSTADT READ “CHURCHILL 1874-1922,” BY THE EARL OF BIRKENHEAD

Published in 1989, “CHURCHILL 1874-1922,” by Winston Churchill’s godson, the Earl of Birkenhead, is the seventh book in our 40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS video series, as read by actor Ted Neustadt.

WATCH ESTHER, LADY GILBERT READ ‘NEVER DESPAIR,’ BY SIR MARTIN GILBERT

The sixth book in our 40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS video series is the eighth and final volume of the Official Churchill Biography, NEVER DESPAIR (1945-1965),’ published in 1988. We are honored to have Sir Martin Gilbert’s widow, ESTHER, LADY GILBERT, as our guest reader.

WATCH RUPERT SOAMES READ ‘THE PROFLIGATE DUKE,’ BY MARY SOAMES

Lady Mary Soames, Winston Churchill’s youngest daughter, was a friend to Chartwell Booksellers from our inception. Her 1987 biography of her family’s most dissolute ancestor, ‘THE PROFLIGATE DUKE: George Spencer Churchill, Fifth Duke of Marlborough, and his Duchess,’ is the next book in our 40TH READINGS series, as read by her son Rupert Soames.

WATCH ESTHER, LADY GILBERT READ ‘ROAD TO VICTORY,’ BY SIR MARTIN GILBERT

In 1986, Sir Martin Gilbert published ‘ROAD TO VICTORY (1941-1945),’ the seventh volume of his Official Churchill Biography; a great occasion that we marked with a publishing party here at the store. We are honored to have his widow, ESTHER, LADY GILBERT, as our guest reader for ‘ROAD TO VICTORY,’ Book #4 in our ’40th Readings at Chartwell Booksellers’ anniversary video series.

WATCH DANIEL GERROLL READ JOHN COLVILLE’S ‘THE FRINGES OF POWER’

In 1985, Sir John Colville, Winston Churchill’s wartime Private Secretary, finally agreed  to the release of his never-intended-for publication personal diaries. ‘THE FRINGES OF POWER: 10 Downing Street Diaries 1939-1955’, instantly became a classic and one of our earliest best-sellers. Watch actor DANIEL GERROLL read THE FRINGES OF POWER.

WATCH ‘CHURCHILL & ROOSEVELT: THE COMPLETE CORRESPONDENCE’ READ BY EDITOR WARREN KIMBALL

BOOK #2 IN OUR 40TH READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS VIDEO SERIES. WATCH NOW!

WATCH JOHN LITHGOW READ ‘THE LAST LION’

Forty years ago today, April 11, 1983, Chartwell Booksellers opened its doors here in NYC. One month later, William Manchester published the first volume of his epic Churchill biography, ‘THE LAST LION.’ We are delighted to open our 40th READINGS AT CHARTWELL BOOKSELLERS video series with actor JOHN LITHGOW reading ‘THE LAST LION: Visions of Glory 1874-1932.’

OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVITIES BEGIN!

We have reached our 40th birthday month and there is so much going on, it’s all a bit dizzying.

Allow us to explain…

CHURCHILL, COLVILLE AND “VICTORY”

No one was closer to Winston Churchill at work during World War II, and after, than John “Jock” Colville, his legendary Principal Private Secretary. After, lo, these many years, the Colville family has begun to deaccession a few prizes from Sir John Colville’s personal stash of Churchilliana. This is rather exciting. And we have acquired something special.

CELEBRATING CHARTWELL’S SURVIVAL

As we continue to ponder (and celebrate) the miraculousness of reaching our 40th year of existence, intact, we cannot help but reflect on the many times that Winston Churchill very nearly lost his beloved home, Chartwell; our esteemed namesake. One such close call commenced 86 years ago this month.