This marvelous dual biography affirms that behind every great man, there's a great woman—a woman who is herself worthy of attention and admiration. Its subjects are two women born in 1854—Jennie Jerome and Sara Delano—who would go on to become the mothers of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. The two are entirely different personalities whose life choices often diverged, but both were highly intelligent, resourceful, and determined to give their sons the foundations they would need to become great leaders. Though their own stories are often seen only as a preamble to the stories of their famous sons, Gray's scrupulous study gives them the scrutiny and the visibility they deserve.

Charlotte Gray’s *Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons* offers a dual biography of Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt, two women whose influence shaped the lives of two of the 20th century’s most pivotal leaders. Born in the same year, these women share the spotlight in a narrative that explores how their distinct personalities and strategies enabled their sons, Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to rise to global prominence.

While Gray’s meticulously researched work sheds light on the unique strengths and challenges of these women, it also forces a comparison between them that may feel unnecessary. Jennie and Sara, each remarkable in her own right, could easily have warranted separate biographies. By pairing their stories, the book risks diluting the individuality and impact of each woman’s life and choices.

Nonetheless, *Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons* succeeds in painting a vivid picture of the era's social and political landscapes, revealing how these mothers navigated their roles with determination and finesse. For readers interested in the intersections of history, motherhood, and power, this book provides a compelling, though somewhat conflicted, exploration of two extraordinary lives.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.