Writing
Katherine Carter’s work brings fresh insight to the places and moments that shaped Britain’s modern history. Her debut book, Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm, draws on her deep knowledge of Chartwell and years of research into the 1930s, revealing how Churchill’s home became a centre of ideas, strategy and political resolve during his wilderness years. The book has been widely praised for its originality, clarity and narrative confidence, with reviewers highlighting its ability to connect the intimate world of Chartwell with the global tensions building beyond its walls.
Alongside her own writing, Katherine has experience in historical editing and contributes to projects that explore the intersection of place, politics and personal story. She continues to develop new work that builds on her expertise, combining meticulous research with an accessible, engaging style.
Churchill's Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before The Storm
By Katherine Carter
Hardback/Paperback
24 September 2024/ 13 May 2025
Yale University Press
A major new history of Churchill in the 1930s, showing how his meetings at Chartwell, his country home, strengthened his fight against the Nazis
In the 1930s, amidst an impending crisis in Europe, Winston Churchill found himself out of government and with little power. In these years, Chartwell, his country home in Kent, became the headquarters of his campaign against Nazi Germany. He invited trusted advisors and informants, including Albert Einstein and T. E. Lawrence, who could strengthen his hand as he worked tirelessly to sound the alarm at the prospect of war.
Katherine Carter tells the extraordinary story of the remarkable but little known meetings that took place behind closed doors at Chartwell. From household names to political leaders, diplomats to spies, Carter reveals a fascinating cast of characters, each of whom made their mark on Churchill’s thinking and political strategy. With Chartwell as his base, Churchill gathered intelligence about Germany’s preparations for war and, in doing so, put himself in a position to change the course of history.
“Carter's passion for her subject and evident scholarship and writing ability positions her perfectly as a prime custodian of the Churchillian story for future generations.”
Andrew Roberts, Baron Roberts of Belgravia
Historian and journalist
Reviews
“In this fascinating book, [Carter shows how] Churchill used his years of exile at Chartwell to rebuild his life and his political career . . . [and] paints a delightful portrait of a family home in its many off-duty moments.”
Kathryn Hughes
Daily Mail
“A brilliant idea, brilliantly done: not just the most original account of the build up to the Second World War you will read, but immensely entertaining as well.”
Tom Holland
Author of Pax and Co-Host of The Rest is History
“Vitally - as Carter shows - it was [at Chartwell] that Churchill held conversations that helped fashion him into a great world leader.”
Larry P. Arnn
Wall Street Journal
“Chartwell comes to life in vivid colour, wrapped in cigar smoke and extraordinary conversation. This is not just excellent history, it’s fun!”
Michael Dobbs
Author of House of Cards
“A delight to read.”
Frank Sempa
American Spectator
“A gripping, well-written saga”
Wilford Kale
Daily Press
“A stimulating and enjoyable work that shows us interwar politics from an unfamiliar angle.”
Richard Vinen
Literary Review
“Chronicles the political life of the house with such relish… One can smell the cigar smoke exude from every page.”
Peter Caddick-Adams
The Critic
“Riveting. . . . The author has a wonderful style, breezy yet authoritative.”
Jim Kelly
Air Mail
“A compelling journey through Churchill’s wilderness years in the 1930s.”
Alec Marsh
Aspects of History
“Carter repositions Chartwell from scenic backdrop to centre stage.”
This England
“An enthralling account of the role Chartwell played in the run up to the Second World War… Expertly explains why the house became Churchill’s operational nerve centre.”
Anthony Tucker-Jones
History of War
“It is the flair with which Carter has chosen her cast that ultimately makes this book a pleasure and an education to read.”
David Lough
Finest Hour
“Carter isn’t just a terrific historian… What Carter does—and what makes her book different from the many hundreds of books written on or about Churchill—is to make Chartwell a protagonist in the Churchill story, turning it from an inanimate dwelling-house to a lively proscenium on which the great man lived and worked and plotted a course for his soon-to-be-embattled country.”
Tunku Varadarajan
Washington Free Beacon
“Meticulously researched and highly readable, a fascinating book written from an entirely unique perspective.”
Annie Gray
Author of Victory in the Kitchen
“A superb history of Churchill’s so-called wilderness years, during which he worked tirelessly from Chartwell to convince his country to prepare for war… To add to the existing volume of scholarship on Winston Churchill is quite a feat. Carter has succeeded brilliantly.”
Cita Stelzer
Author of Dinner with Churchill
“A masterly exploration of an important phase in British political history.”
Richard Toye
Author of Age of Hope