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King's Counsellor

Abdication and War: The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles

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King's Counsellor

By: Sir Alan Lascelles, Duff Hart-Davis
Narrated by: Pip Torrens
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The diaries of 'Tommy' Lascelles - as featured in the Netflix hit The Crown.

As Assistant Private Secretary to four monarchs, 'Tommy' Lascelles had a ringside seat from which to observe the workings of the royal household and Downing Street during the first half of the 20th century.

These fascinating 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.

This compelling account also includes Princess Margaret's relationship with Peter Townsend, and throws an intriguing new light on the way in which King George VI and Winston Churchill worked together during the Second World War.

Lascelles was a fine writer - like most of the best diaries his are a delight to listen to as well as being invaluable history.

©2020 Duff Hart-Davis (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group 20th Century Diaries & Journals Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Military Modern Royalty War Winston Churchill Inspiring Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

"Brilliantly entertaining and historically priceless." (Spectator)

"Fascinating...as much a contribution to royal legend as to the history of the war." (Daily Telegraph)

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So interesting to listen to the diaries and letters of Tommy Lascelles. I truly felt as if I was in the same room with him.

Sir Tommy Lascelles

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I adored this book. It kept me interested all the way through. Great narration from Pip Torrens. (Who incidentally plays Lascelles in The Crown) I listened to it over 2 days. Having recently watched all 4 seasons of The Crown, in which Lascelles features frequently , it helped to put things around the abdication/ ii ww into perspective.


A great listen

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I stumbled across this and loved it, Pip Torrens who plays 'Tommy Lascelles' in The Crown reads beautifully and the insight into the comings and goings 'backstage' at Buckingham Palace during the war is excellent. There is nothing here that is shocking or revelatory but none the less it is a super resource and brilliantly written by a very interesting man.

A treasure trove of history

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The entries tend to be short, but are well written & the reading is well paced & flowed well. It tells of the amazing range of activities Tommy was involved in during the war, along with all the things he knew, many of them secrets. It was also interesting to hear about the King’s personality. The most fascinating bit was his coruscating appraisal of the Duke of Windsor.

A wonderful insiders view of WW2

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I thoroughly enjoyed these insightful diaries of a man little known to modern audiences beyond his name in biographies and portrayal in The Crown. What an interesting life and character, crossing paths with not only monarchs but most of the main players in politics and war. I loved the observations he recorded, name dropping at its very best. Unlike a novel or work of non fiction, it requires a little adjusment to get use to the rhthym of diaries - after all you are getting snippets not context or follow through - but once on board you soon acclimatise. Excellent narration by Pip Torrens who not unexpectedly inhabits the role with ease.

Excellent book and narration

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