Kingmaker

The sensationally gripping and revelatory biography of Pamela Churchill Harriman, one of the most influential women in 20th century politics, from the bestselling author of A Woman of No ImportancebPamela Churchill Harriman began her adult life as Winston Churchill's daughterinlaw and trusted confidante, and was crucial to enlisting American involvement in WWII. She ended it as the American ambassador to Paris under Clinton, where she was a key player in the conflict in Yugoslavia. In between, she was a power broker at many decisive moments of AngloAmerican 20th century politics but up until now she's been dismissed as a courtesan. In this book, Purnell reclaims Harriman's legacy and political achievements, and inserts her back into her rightful place in history, just like she did for Virginia Hall in A Woman of No Importance. Kingmaker is full of sex, politics, yachts, fabulous clothes, everyone who was anyone in the second half of the 20th century (from Hitler and Gorbachev to JFK and Gloria Steinem), and is a fascinating reckoning with how women could wield power during these decades. The perfect read for anyone who loved The Crown or Lady in Waiting.