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King's Counsellor: Abdication and War - The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles

King's Counsellor: Abdication and War - The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles

by Duff Hart - Davis (Editor)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2006

    $12.25
Synopsis

Tommy Lascelles's diaries begin with Edward VIII's abdication and end with George VI's death and his daughter Elizabeth's Coronation. In between we see George VI at work and play, a portrait more intimate than any other previously published. The early part about Edward VIII is a damning profile; the bulk of the book is WWII as seen from a key courtier - Lascelles is first assistant and soon private secretary to the King and Queen. The last part, which Duff Hart-Davis, the editor, has headed 'Royal Crises', is post-war. Here is Queen Mary's concern over the marriage of her grandson George Harewood (Lascelles' 2nd cousin) and Princess Margaret's relationship with the equerry, Peter Townsend. There is one additional element: Winston Churchill. Just as the Alanbrooke Diaries, published with such success in 2000, showed the PM as seen from the top soldier's viewpoint, so here Lascelles shows the PM and the King and how they worked together. Nor did Churchill always get his own way. Lascelles was a fine writer - like most of the best diaries his are a delight to read as well as being invaluable history.

$12.25

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 488
 Edition: First Edition
 Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Published: 30 Oct 2006
ISBN 10: 0297851551
ISBN 13: 9780297851554
Book Overview: * Hitherto unpublished - Lascelles' family waited until the death of the Queen Mother * Revelations on Edward VIII's abdication and the Princess Margaret-Townsend affair by the man who knew the inside story * Expect major national newspaper serial

Media Reviews
This fascinating volume is as much a contribution to royal legend as to the history of the war. -- KENNETH ROSE DAILY TELEGRAPH Most - though by no means all - of the facts we know already: it is the angle from which they are viewed and the humour and intelligence of the observer which make these diaries both brilliantly entertaining and historically priceless. -- PHILIP ZIEGLER THE SPECTATOR Lascelles' diary - now expertly edited by Duff Hart-Davis - offers fascinating and hitherto unseen glimpses of some of the most significant figures of our age... however, none emerges more engagingly than the diarist himself. -- JOHN ADAMSON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH a biography of Sir Alan Lascelles, crafty manipulator, and clandestine homosexual, would be a fascinating book. LITERARY REVIEW sharply written diaries -- PAUL JOHNSON THE SPECTATOR an elegant and precise diary... a revealing glimpse into the drawing rooms of the great during the years of crisis and victory... Lascelles was an excellent judge of character and posterity has almost always proved him right. -- DOMINIC SANDBROOK EVENING STANDARD offer genuine insights into the role of the King's adviser. THE INDEPENDENT What he has written might upset many of the royal inner circle, but is undeniably riveting reading. THE RESIDENT A great read, written with humour and elegance. BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Author Bio
Duff Hart-Davis is a writer and journalist. His books include Fauna Britannica and Audubon's Elephant. He was Literary Editor and Assistant Editor of the Sunday Telegraph and was been country columnist for The Independent 1986-2001. He lives and farms in Gloucestershire.