THE MOUNTBATTENS: Their Lives and Loves by Andrew Lownie
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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
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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
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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
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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
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'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