Renowned biographer Thomas Maier has published a well-researched historical masterpiece in the form of WHEN LIONS ROAR. Words leap from every page to remind us that his expert account is a true labor of love. When Maier displays both factual and emotional realities in those he describes, he succeeds in bringing them into our “today.” The massive volume, supported by numerous black and white photographs, quotations from acclaimed men of history, and aptly titled books and chapters will certainly count as treasure to those of us who revere history.

Maier’s frontispiece quote from Winston Churchill, “Some people regard me as the British Lion. But I am not the Lion. I am simply the Roar of the Lion,” is fodder for his title but embellishes both great men as patriarchs of two strong family dynasties. Joseph P. Kennedy leads his Irish-American brood with no less of the Lion’s roar than Churchill, his British-American counterpart. Driven by destiny, consequences of personal aspiration, and allegiance to their respective political beliefs, the two men both respect and abhor one another during the time their paths crossed. Early in the Overture chapter, Maier reports the initial meeting between them at Chartwell, Churchill’s majestic home. Viewpoints differ slightly but agree that they took an instant dislike to each other privately but with respect in public. At the time, Churchill enters his “wilderness” years, away from the political limelight, and Kennedy retires as SEC Chairman, searching for new personal triumphs.

"WHEN LIONS ROAR is a lengthy but masterful dual biography and a genuine tribute to the two families whose public and private lives became intertwined."

While Churchill writes, paints and espouses his political sentiments about the rapid rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany, Kennedy works behind and within the scenes to further the career of his sometime friend, Franklin Roosevelt. Having amassed much wealth in the film industry, Kennedy searches for political identity of his own and for his first-born favorite son, Joe Jr., during the pre-war years, while Hitler multiplies his strength and ambition. Kennedy funds Joe, Jr.’s trip to Berlin to scout the climate there, with possible consequences for American capitalism. In 1933, Kennedy travels to London with the notion that he will buy the rights to Scotch whiskey from the British. His questionable behind-the-scenes financial dealings produce positive outcomes for the staunch Irish-Catholic man who itches for political success for himself and his sons. 

When Roosevelt wins re-election, Kennedy and financier Bernard Baruch apply pressure for a political appointment, that of British Ambassador. Finally Kennedy’s accomplishments reap reward. He has supported Roosevelt in American isolationist views, against involvement in a European confrontation with Hitler. Once in England, Kennedy travels to an ancestral Ireland and vocally trounces the English with their differences, speaking well of the IRA. Churchill is adamant in opposition to Kennedy, withering the branches of a growth in a British-American relationship. Kennedy continues, advising Roosevelt that the British can handle their own foreign affairs without American aid. 

In the meantime, both families grow, with Joe, Jr., Kathleen and Jack Kennedy developing affection for the British and Irish heritages they share. Kathleen, or Kick, falls for a British nobleman’s son. However, their union appears doomed as his Episcopalian and her Catholic roots cannot blend. Both families remain steadfast against the marriage. Jack sympathizes with his sister and becomes quite close during these years. When war does break out, Kick becomes a Red Cross nurse while her true love goes to the warfront.

Churchill’s son, Randolph, has grown up in politics but doesn’t have the wit or personality of his father. He’s critical, sardonic, overambitious and callous to those he should praise. One political race after another ends in defeat for the brash young Churchill. A womanizer, he settles to marry a debutante friend of Kathleen Kennedy, Pamela. Their son, Winston Spencer Churchill, bears his grandfather’s name with dignity. But his parents later divorce. Pamela enters into various intimacies and becomes a wily confidant to Randolph’s father. Throughout WHEN LIONS ROAR, Maier tells the stories of the two patriarchs’ extramarital affairs as common knowledge. Former lovers become entangled in both families’ affairs.

Maier’s great accomplishment here is how he introduces JFK’s sheer thirst for Churchill’s wisdom and statesmanship. How the British Lion affects his world viewpoint, how it is seen in his presidency, and his devout admiration for the Prime Minister are beautifully characterized. WHEN LIONS ROAR is a lengthy but masterful dual biography and a genuine tribute to the two families whose public and private lives became intertwined.