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King's Counsellor

Abdication and War: The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles

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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

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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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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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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