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The Fringes of Power: 10 Downing Street Diaries, 1939-1955 Hardcover – Unabridged, November 1, 1985

by John Colville (Author)

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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

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Winston Churchill by his Personal Secretary: Recollections of The Great Man by A Woman Who Worked… by Elizabeth Nel Paperback $8.93
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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.

Hardcover: 802 pages
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; American ed. edition (November 1, 1985)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393022234
ISBN-13: 978-0393022230
Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 2.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 15 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #538 in Books > History > Europe > Great Britain > England
- #1073 in Books > Deals in Books
- #2610 in Books > History > Military > World War II

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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

September 7, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified 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

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Banjo

Colville didn't like Winston Churchill at first and even had contempt

September 27, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Colville didn't like Winston Churchill at first and even had contempt, but came to realize his greatness. This is an essential book for anyone interested in World War II.

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July 27, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

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.

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Ross Beveridge

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

October 26, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified 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.

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Five Stars

June 26, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Long, too much detail, but well written glimpse from the inside of the Churchill war years.

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Five Stars

February 26, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Excellent. Goes very well with Churchill's History of the Second World War.

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February 15, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

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

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October 8, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

First rate inside notes on how Churchill saved western civilization. As from the contemporaneous diaries from one of his closest and most most important aides.

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Most recent customer reviews

Gerald Hein

Five Stars

Excellent service and detailed source into Churchill's life and actions Jerry

Published on November 10, 2015

Richard E. Hanlon

Five Stars

Happy to have this in my library.

Published on September 7, 2015

ESM517

Fascinating look at the times, from behind the scenes

A fascinating behind the scenes look at World War II and the years surrounding it. Written by Colville, private secretary to three British Prime Ministers, you get a play-by-play...Read more

Published on March 29, 2015

yetijoe

Great wartime diary!

Well written. I have re-read this book three times now. Thanks very much!

Published on November 3, 2014

northkona

Remarkably good

I found out about John Colville while reading the third volume of Manchester's Churchill biography, The Last Lion.Read more

Published on June 21, 2014

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The Fringes of Power: 10 Downing Street Diaries, 1939-1955 Hardcover – Unabridged, November 1, 1985

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The Fringes of Power: 10 Downing Street Diaries, 1939-1955 Hardcover – Unabridged, November 1, 1985

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