Kingmaker

An electrifying re-examination of one of the twentieth century's greatest unsung power players, from the bestselling author of A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE 'Supremely enjoyable . . . With a historian's eye for rigour, a journalist's for detail and a storyteller's for drama' FINANCIAL TIMES 'A wonderfully racy romp and a gripping biography of a brave, ambitious woman' DAILY MAIL 'Fascinating and revelatory. A triumph' WILLIAM BOYD During Pamela Churchill Harriman's life and even after her death, in 1997, her glamorous social life and infamous erotic adventures overshadowed her true accomplishments. She was one of the most powerful women of the 20th century and there is practically no-one in 20th century politics, culture and fashion whose lives she did not touch: from her father-in-law Winston Churchill, to the Kennedys and Gloria Steinem, to Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. Now, for the first time and with a wealth of fresh research, Sonia Purnell unveils the spectacular story of how Harriman left an indelible mark on the world today. NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE TELEGRAPH, ECONOMIST, FINANCIAL TIMES, GUARDIAN, MAIL ON SUNDAY, DAILY EXPRESS, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT, SPECTATOR, IRISH EXAMINER, LONDON STANDARD, NEW YORKER, POLITICO, APPLE BOOKS, TOWN & COUNTRY and OLDIE 'A page turner that matches her subject in verve and ambition . . . Tremendous' IRISH EXAMINER 'Everyone I know on both sides of the Atlantic seems to be devouring Kingmaker' TINA BROWN 'An incredible story, beautifully told, of a remarkable woman whose political influence spanned Churchill to Clinton. Quite a woman, quite a read' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL 'Superb and fascinating. I can't recommend it more' LADY ANNE GLENCONNER, bestselling author of Lady in Waiting 'Rigorous but rollicking' NEW YORK TIMES 'As compelling as its subject' TLS ' Riveting and revelatory' THE NEW YORKER It extended further, over five decades and two continents, influencing figures like the Kennedys, Nelson Mandela, Truman Capote, Gianni Agnelli, Kay Graham, Gloria Steinem and Frank Sinatra. Written with the novelistic richness and investigative rigour that only Sonia Purnell could bring to this story full of sex, power, yachts, palaces and fabulous clothes, Kingmaker sets out Harriman's rightful place at the heart of recent history. **** 'Rigorous but rollicking' NEW YORK TIMES 'Everyone I know on both sides of the Atlantic seems to be devouring ***Kingmaker'***TINA BROWN 'An incredible story, beautifully told, of a remarkable woman whose political influence spanned Churchill to Clinton. Quite a woman, quite a read' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL 'Superb and fascinating. I can't recommend it more' LADY ANNE GLENCONNER, bestselling author of Lady in Waiting 'Fascinating and revelatory, written with great aplomb, insight and shrewd analysis. A triumph' WILLIAM BOYD 'As compelling as its subject' TLS ' Riveting and revelatory' THE NEW YORKER 'An alluring new biography' THE ECONOMIST 'Purnell's research is impeccable' SPECTATOR 'Kingmaker is on to something important. Successful women are judged differently than men' AMANDA FOREMAN, GUARDIAN 'Sympathetic, well-researched, busily peopled' OBSERVER BOOK OF THE DAY 'Vivid' NEW STATESMAN