THE MOUNTBATTENS: Their Lives and Loves by Andrew Lownie

A major figure behind his nephew Philip's marriage to Queen Elizabeth II and instrumental in the royal family taking the Mountbatten name, Dickie Mountbatten's career included being Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia during World War Two and the last Viceroy of India.

Once the richest woman in Britain and a playgirl who enjoyed numerous affairs, Edwina Mountbatten emerged from World War Two as a magnetic and talented charity worker loved around the world.

From the prize-winning and bestselling historian, Andrew Lownie, comes a nuanced portrayal of two very unusual people and their complex marriage to mark the 40th anniversary of Lord Mountbatten's assassination by the IRA.

From British high society and the South of France to the battlefields of Burma and the Viceroy's House, this is a rich and filmic story whose characters include all the key figures of the Second World War. From Churchill and Montgomery to Roosevelt and Eisenhower; the Royal Family, including the Duke of Windsor, George VI, the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles; to Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Salvador Dali, George Gershwin, Grace Kelly and Merle Oberon.

AUTHOR BIO

Andrew Lownie was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he was Dunster History Prizeman and President of the Union, before taking his Masters and doctorate at Edinburgh University. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and former visiting fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, he has run his own literary agency since 1988. A trustee of the Campaign for Freedom of Information and President of The Biographers Club, he has written for the Times, Telegraph, Wall Street Journal, Spectator and Guardian and formerly served in the Royal Naval Reserve.

EVENTS

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 Praise for Stalin's Englishman, winner of the St Ermin’s Intelligence Book of the Year
'An abundance of vivid detail... a matchless and splendidly exciting read' The Times
'A remarkable and definitive portrait' - Frederick Forsyth 
'Shrewd, thorough, revelatory' - William Boyd 
'[Lownie] manages to convey the charm as well as the turpitude' Craig Brown 
'Exhaustively researched and absorbing book' New Statesman 
'Complicated, revelatory: a superb biography more riveting than a spy novel' Sunday Telegraph


A Guardian Book of the Year
The Times Best Biography of the Year
Mail on Sunday Biography of the Year
Daily Mail Biography of Year
Spectator Book of the Year
BBC History Book of the Year
 

 

John Buchan: The Presbyterian Cavalier

‘Admirably readable, this book will be invaluable to those who are now encountering Buchan’s work for the first time. Lownie’s lucid account of Buchan’s life redefines the
man as infinitely more complex than he thought he was.’ The Sunday Times

‘This formidably detailed study is a labour of love by a devoted Buchanite, a nuanced understanding of a figure who, for too long, has been regarded as an extension of his fictional heroes.’ The Guardian

‘Trumpets should now sound for Buchan; and I will sound one of my own for Andrew Lownie, who has brought this most extraordinary man to life in a way no previous writer has.’ The Independent

10th September      Tonbridge Arts Society

14th September      Chiswick Book Festival

16th September      Hurlingham Club

17th  September     London Ladies Club

20th September      Budleigh Salterton Festival [ More info ] 

24th September      The Polish Hearth Club, London

25th September      Sevenoaks Literary Festival [ More info ]

26th September      The New Club, Edinburgh

28th September      Jersey Festival of Words [ More info ]

30th September      Henley Literary Festival [ More info ]

3rd October             Wigtown Book Festival [ More info ]

6th October             Cuckfield Bookfest

8th October             The Oldie Literary Lunch [ More info ]

9th October             The Cadogan Hall, London

10th October           Guildford Book Festival [ More info ]

11th October           Cheltenham Literary Festival

13th October           Isle of Wight Literary Festival [ More info ]

17th October           Thame Literary Festival [ More info ]

18th October            Berwick Literary Festival [ More info ]

20th October            Parisot Literary Festival

23rd October            The Pakistani Society

25th October             Kennaway House, Sidmouth

28th October             Esseborne Manor Hotel         [ More Info ]

29th October             Royal Overseas League         [ More info ]

31st October             The Borzoi Bookshop, Stow-on-the-Wold

1st November           Canterbury Literary Festival         [ More Info ]

4th November           Bridport Literary Festival

9th November           Tring Book Festival

16th November         Lavenham Literary Festival         [ More Info ]

19th November         Chorleywood Bookshop

21st November         Oxford & Cambridge Club, Pall Mall

7th December           Sheborne Literary Society         [ More Info ]




2020

10th January         National Army Museum

14th January        Friends of Westminster School

20th January         The Sloane Club

6th February         New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

2nd March             Coya Members Club, London

3rd March              Churchill College, Cambridge

8th March              Words by the Water

21st March            Alderney Literary Festival

24th March            York Literary Festival

25th March            Cavalry & Guards Club

27th March            Cotswold Literary Festival

2nd April                National Portrait Gallery

2nd April                Oxford Literary Festival

4th April                Bucks Club, London

6th April                Charroux Literary Festival

23rd April               The Monte Carlo Club

3rd May                  Hexham Literary Festival

5th May                  Cotswold Literary Lunch

9th May                  Chiddingstone Literary Festival

13th May                Royal Hospital, Chelsea

19th May                Chalfont Lit Fest

1st June                 Derby Festival

2nd June                Ilminster Literary Festival

12th June               Greenwich Festival

16th June               St Johns College, Southsea

13th June               Sidmouth Literary Festival

27th June               Felixstowe Literary Festival

15th July                Buxton Literary Festival

27th July                Reform Club, London

14th September    English Speaking Union, London

13th October         Mere Literary Festival

16th October         BBC History Weekend, Chester

6th November       BBC History Weekend, Winchester

10th November     Derby Women’s Lunch Club


CONTACT ANDREW

'this is a well-researched, enjoyable book...fair-minded and revealing.'
Jane Ridley, The Oldie

The story of a royal exiled with his wife, turning his back on duty, his family and using his position for financial gain. 

TRAITOR KING: THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF WINDSOR IN EXILE

Available 19th Aug 2021