Please note: In order to keep Hive up to date and provide users with the best features, we are no longer able to fully support Internet Explorer. The site is still available to you, however some sections of the site may appear broken. We would encourage you to move to a more modern browser like Firefox, Edge or Chrome in order to experience the site fully.

Supporting your high street Find out how »
Diaries, 1942-1954, Paperback / softback Book

Diaries, 1942-1954 Paperback / softback

Paperback / softback

Only a few left - usually despatched within 24 hours

Description

James Lees-Milne (1908-97) made his name as the country house expert of the National Trust and for being a versatile author.

But he is now best known for the remarkable diary he kept for most of his adult life, which has been compared with that of Samuel Pepys and hailed as 'a treasure of contemporary English literature'.

The first of three, this volume covers its first dozen years, beginning with his return to work for the National Trust during the Second World War, and ending with his tempestuous marriage to the exotic Alvilde Chaplin.

The diary vividly portrays the hectic social life of London during the Blitz, when in the intervals between struggling to save a disintegrating architectural heritage he enjoys a dizzying variety of romantic experiences with both sexes.

His descriptions of visits to harassed country-house owners are as perceptive as they are hilarious.

With the war's end, the mood changes as he portrays a world of gloom and austerity.

He shares the prevailing pessimism, yet during these years arranges the transfer of some of England's loveliest houses to the safe keeping of the National Trust.

Finally he escapes from England to live on the Continent with his beautiful paramour, yet remains restless and dissatisfied.

The diaries of James Lees-Milne were originally published in twelve volumes between 1975 and 2005.

Michael Bloch, James Lees-Milne's literary executor and editor of the last five volumes of the complete work, has produced this skilful compilation from the first five volumes - including interesting new material omitted from the original publications.

Information

Other Formats

Save 9%

£14.99

£13.55

Only a few left - usually despatched within 24 hours
Add to Basket
Sign in to add to wishlist
 
Free Home Delivery

on all orders

 
Pick up orders

from local bookshops

Information