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John Rupert Colville

The Fringes of Power: 10 Downing Street Diaries, 1939-1955 Hardcover – Unabridged, January 1, 1986

by John Colville (Author)

57 ratings

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The diaries of Winston Churchill's private secretary from 1941 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955 provides a unique view of World War II, of Churchill's wartime activities and those of his personal staff

Print length

802 pages
Language

English
Publisher

W W Norton & Co Inc
Publication date

January 1, 1986
Dimensions

5 x 0.98 x 7.99 inches
ISBN-10

0393022234
ISBN-13

978-0393022230
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Colville, who was private secretary to Churchill, 19401945 and 19511955, and to Attlee and the then Princess Elizabeth in the intervening period, may have been at the fringes of power during this time but he had a remarkable view of its center, and in the latter years, when the great man had become "more like Buddha than Achilles," was in it. A sharp observer with an independent mind, a significant presence at international banquets and conferences, Churchill's righthand man, and no mean penman, Colville (Footprints in Time, The Churchillians) records his insider's impressions of world events, of Britain's top leaders, civilian and military, and, in particular, of Churchill, whose pugnacity, wit and political wisdom, along with his irascibility and inconsiderateness (offset, however, by generosity), he captures with Boswellian aplomb. Several strokes in the Churchill portrait come as a surprise: his loyalty to Chamberlain, for example; his lack of vindictiveness toward the Germans; his private view of Eisenhower; his desperate efforts to end the Cold War before leaving office; his distrust of Eden. This is one of the most interesting and readable of the major diaries of World War II and its aftermath. Photos. Foreign rights: Georges Borchardt. November 11
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When Colville was a young diplomat assigned to 10 Downing Street as a private secretary, he began a diary that he kept, with increasing gaps, through Chamberlain's last year and through two stints with Churchill, 1940-45 and 1951-55. He also served as a secretary to the then Princess Elizabeth for two years. For this publication, he has pruned personal trivia and added narrative and explanatory matter. Since the diaries have already been mined both for Colville's other writings and for Martin Gilbert's multivolume Churchill biography, there are few surprises, but this gives a vivid picture of Churchill at work, with interesting sidelights on events and people. Recommended for research collections; optional for others, but period buffs will enjoy it. Nancy C. Cridland, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W W Norton & Co Inc; 1st edition (January 1, 1986)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 802 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393022234
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393022230
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.98 x 7.99 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,383 in Deals in Books
- #1,939 in England History

Customer Reviews:
57 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

57 global ratings

5 star		72%
4 star		15%
3 star		12%
2 star		1%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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william christiansen

I love the book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 31, 2022

Verified Purchase

It is a fantastic book about World War II

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James R. Orr

A MOST EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTINING READ

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 29, 2020

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I am an avid student of World War II. Specifically, I am an avid student of America's and England's involvement in the Conflict. If one studies England's involvement in the War, one has to be a student of Britain's wartime Prime Minister: Sir Winston Churchill. Therefore, I am, literally, enthralled with my reading of John Colville's book "The Fringes of Power 10 Downing Street Diaries 1939 - 1955". Through his diary Colville brings to life his involvement with Churchill both in his daily activities and during the major events of the War such as the Retreat from Dunkirk and D Day. I highly recommend that every serious student the Conflict, especially in the Eastern Theater of the War, purchase and read a copy of this book
Sincerely,
James (Jim) Orr

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

WS

Better condition than expected

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 2, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a great book. The author is able summarize events and people with few well-chosen words. I was also very happy at the condition of the book, which was even better than advertised.

Helpful

m d squirrell assoc.prof.

headline

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

I expect to like. It ma be a year before I read this book.

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BG-expat

Highly recommend this as a Source Book and a Reference Book for any one interested in WW II or in England

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

An amazing Source Book for research! And clearly written and super fascinating reading--altho it is too large and heavy and clumsy for good Bed Reading. The References, footnotes, and details are incredible!
I highly recommend this as a Source Book and a Reference Book for any one interested in WW II or in England!
Wc

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ross Beveridge

Terrific Read. Most interesting that he was brought back ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

Terrific Read. Most interesting that he was brought back twice - was clearly competent. The narrative is well written and gives a clear insight into the mores of the time as well as the high politics of tumultuous times.

6 people found this helpful

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ernest prochnow

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

First person account of inner workings of 10 Downing Street during WWII

2 people found this helpful

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C. Peterson

Worth Owning!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 27, 2017

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John Colville's diary as the Foreign Office secretary to Winston Churchill make absolutely fascinating reading. I found myself reading parts of it aloud to anyone who was around while I was reading it.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Pavel Nemec

Very often mentioned book in Churchill's biographical literature but not translated up to this days into Czech language.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

The Author was not only the private secretary of W.S.C., but was almost the member of his family and knew many interesting details from supreme interested persons (diplomatic and military). Very brave man who fighted as pilot RAF.

Biffo

Few were there....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 26, 2013

Verified Purchase

Really very recent historically but set in a diffrent time. Wonderful insight into the power and weaknesses of the greatest man that has ever lived and the class system that allowed him to succeed. Wouldn't happen now.

Amazon Kunde

Zuverlässig

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on April 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

Die Lieferung war einwandfrei.

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