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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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About this listen

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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A slow start, but an nteresting, objective insight imto key British leaders during World War II.

Interesting insights concerning key British leader

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My husband already owned a copy as a hardback book, but when I saw who was narrating this we knew it was going to be a brilliant audio book. Very easy to listen in sections as it's a diary and if you are a history buff or want to add to your enjoyment of The Crown then this is ideal. Insights into the Abdication, Churchill and the War as well as society life. Utterly absorbing as a one off, but very likely to make you want to learn more about this period of British history.

Fascinating

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I knew Sir Alan’s diaries would shed light on the King and Prime Minister’s activities during WW2, but I hadn’t known the diaries would be so eloquently written, nor so full of vivid flashes of many contemporary characters’ lives and idiosyncrasies, and also, of course, the stories of globally important Government and military decision-making … Sir Alan captures the minute and the large scale equally well, but with a lightness of touch - the diaries and later letters are never dull. I wish the book were twice as long. As for Pip Torrens’ narration, it’s probably the most enjoyable I’ve heard through 200 or so Audible books - it was as if ‘Tommy’ Lascelles was talking to you himself.
This book will fascinate anyone who is interested in the history of mid-20th C British governance/state affairs/monarchy and those involved in its day-to-day administration, and it’s also for those who enjoy biography. It would help to know something of British history from this period.

An unexpected delight!

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I didn’t want it to end. The reader’s voice was perfect for the period. Lascelles comes across as a decent and cultivated man.

Interesting and a true delight.

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Lascelles' only error in his fascinating life would appear to be simply that he never got around to the writing of novels.
Brilliant language, brilliantly delivered by Pip Torrens.

It don't require a degree to appreciate quality

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Magnificent - the book, the man and the narrator. Lascelles brought together the finest attributes of his generation; wit, humanity, wisdom, generosity of spirit, literary insight, courage, judgment, plain speaking without making enemies - the list goes on. A product of the country at its best.

Compared with Lascelles the institutional middle classes of today, whose life experience is to live in their imaginations, are tick list nonentities.

A joy from start to finish

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A truly great tale of a great man and superbly narrated by the actor who played Tommy Lascelles in the Netflix series 'The Crown'.

Fascinating

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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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What an admirable book and what an admirable man. An interesting close look to a vital time in our recent history, a decent balanced voice. Very goid performance by the reader. Will listen to it again soon.

Worth every minute

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This audio book is the best one that I have ever listened to.
The narration is in my imagination, exact!y how 'Tommy' Lacelles spoke in every way. I can here him through this narration.
The man himself seems to be one of those well-defined late Victorian / Edwardian gentlemen who could encapsulate everything into practical expediency.
What a character to have advised King George V, his son (reluctantly) Edward V111 AND King George V1.
His knowledge seemed vast and perceptive, with humour not far away.
This book in hard back would be in my star collection, but unfortunately I do not have anymore space, and at my age, am unfortunately looking to downsize my already large collection.
Thank goodness for Audio books, I have amassed a very large and some would say, eclectic collection, which hopefully those following me will pick up using this Kindle device.

Absolutely Brilliant Audio Book

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