The Duff Cooper Diaries: 1915-1951 by John Julius Norwich
27 Aug, 2022
A compelling mixture of the personal and private
A compelling mixture of the personal and private and the great sweep of historical events. There is much to fascinate about this book. It paints a picture of London high society, its values and mores, as well as giving first hand descriptions of some of the most significant figures in mid-20th Century history from someone who was acquainted with them directly. Duff's role as ambassador to France in the mid-1940s is particularly fascinating, giving an intimate and detailed account of this period, especially the trials and tribulations of trying to work with the tempestuous General de Gaulle. A page-turner for lovers of historical diaries!