Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 32 - Unraveling the Roosevelt and Churchill ‘Nude Bath’ Story - Winston Churchill in the White House

Anglotopia Podcast

As part of our ongoing series about Winston Churchill in the lead-up to the International Churchill Society Conference in London in October, this week we interview author Robert Schmuhl about his new book ‘Mr. Churchill in the White House.’ The conversation explores the history and relationship between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. Robert Schmuhl, the author of ‘Mr. Churchill in the White House’ discusses the dynamics between the two leaders and their interactions. The conversation touches on Churchill’s storytelling, the differences between his relationships with Roosevelt and Eisenhower, and the significance of their meetings. It also delves into Churchill’s writing process, his visits to the White House, and the famous ‘nude bath’ story. Let’s take a deep dive into Anglo-American relations during and after World War II.

Links

Mr. Churchill in the White House

International Churchill Conference

Churchill Addresses Congress

Winston Churchill’s Christmas in the White House

Churchill And Roosevelt At White House (1941)

Churchill’s Wilderness Years Drama

Takeaways

• The relationship between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt was complex and evolved over time.
• Churchill was known for his storytelling and had a talent for captivating people with his tales.
• Churchill’s relationship with Roosevelt was different from his relationship with Eisenhower, as they had different backgrounds and values.
• Churchill’s visits to the White House were marked by his demanding nature and his ability to make himself at home.
• The ‘nude bath’ story, while true, is more nuanced than popularly portrayed.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 06:10 Churchill and Roosevelt’s Relationship
• 10:32 Churchill’s Visits to the White House
• 13:53 Logistics of Churchill’s Travel
• 19:05 American Views of Churchill
• 24:01 Churchill as a House Guest
• 26:54 The ‘Nude Bath’ Story
• 33:28 Introduction and Exploring the History of Churchill
• 35:10 The Relationship Between Churchill and Eisenhower
• 38:29 Churchill’s Meticulous Writing Process
• 41:43 Recommended Books About Churchill
• 45:20 Recommended Churchill Film: ‘Darkest Hour’
• 49:27 Recommended Churchill Series: ‘The Wilderness Years’