Customer Reviews

House of Mitford : Portrait of a Family

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Mr. and Ms. Guinness' massive biographical study of their family is tremendously interesting to any devoted reader of the Mitfords. However, their attempts to rehabilitate the legacy of unrepentant fascists Diana (Guinesses' mother--so it's an understandable lapse) and Unity are nearly comical in their reach. They go to great lengths to discredit those who've criticized Unity and Diana's reprehensible involvement in and enthusiasm for Hitler and his British minions, including of course Diana's husband, Mosley; rather than adequately contextualize Diana and Unit's fervor, these attempts serve only to make themselves appear as familial apologists. The authors' unstinting criticism of Jessica's Communism brings their blind spots when it comes to Unity and Diana's fascism into particular relief.

As scholars, the father-and-daughter biographers are lacking in appropriate perspective and historical context; however, the "insider" information they impart makes the book a veritable treasure chest of Mitfordiana.

this book is (almost) "the holy grail" of the mitford family history. it is a great read and so fascinating. it is everything the reader wants to know and is written by a close family member. author jonathan guinness is diana mitford's son.
i recommend this book highly as a "starter" book for those who are interested in learning about this unusual family. i would also add,to check out other books by other authors. this gives a more,broad perspective of the mitfords and would be written by someone who can see the family in a different light,so to speak...still a great book!

I have read some of their history in genealogy format, but I wanted to read the whole book on the family. I was not disappointed. It is everything I had hoped it would be and more. The genealogy had more information than I had before. Get this book for good reading. Thank you.

Karen Kay Ullom

Really a fascinating study on one of the British Upper Class's most contriversial families. It really is the limit though, how the author tries to excuse the support of some of the sister's for the Third Reich, granted this was the feeling of most of the Upper Class at the time, they loved the idea that some people, namely themselves, were naturally superior to the rable. You see this in such films as Gosford Park and Remains of the Day. Having said that, this book is very good, it really lets you in to the lives of the British Aristocracy of this era. These woman are to the manor born and never let anyone forget it. They chose different paths, but I really don't think deep down they are all that different, as an American this is all so foreign, but fascinating non the less, though it makes me appreciate the Revolution.

Prompt shipping; book arrived in pristine condition. Will do business again and, by the way, the book is fascinating.