I requested this book as I'm a huge fan of Cecil Beaton as a photographer and wanted to know more about the men beyond the amazing photos.
It was an interesting read, I didn't know what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed it and learn something new about this famous photographer and his entourage.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was not entirely what I expected. It is the diary of the chosen biographer of Cecil Beaton, charting the years in which he met Beaton and then after Beaton died, his attempts to track down and interview many of the key characters in his life in order to research the book. I had hoped for gossip, and there is that aplenty, but I found it rather confusing as many of the people who are referred to in the entries were unknown to me. There are footnotes giving potted biographies of each person, but it is rather exhausting because there are quite a lot of them. I think the thing I struggled with most was that despite all the diarising I never got a clear sense of Beaton as a person or Hugo Vickers himself. It's a collection of images and snapshots of people who pass through and give their opinions and then leave almost immediately. I think it would have helped enormously if I had done significantly more background reading and then I would have appreciated this. As it is, it was rather lost on me.

A delightful and almost intimate look at the relationship between the biographer and his subject through the diaries of Hugo Vickers, one of England's most celebrated biographers at work today.
Chosen by Cecil Beaton in the late 70s to write his authorized biography, Vickers went on to edit also the photographer's diaries and letters. There is no denying the fact that Beaton was one of the most underrated photographers of the 20th century and probably its most famous silent observers. Now 40 years after his death and thanks to Vickers's personal narrative around their relationship, we get a last and refreshing glimpse into the life and thoughts of one of the most influential artists of last century. Gossipy, thoughtful and simply fascinating, this delicious book is definitely a nostalgic look back in time.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this wonderful book prior to its release date

This book presents a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of Cecil Beaton. His work, his friends, from Hollywood starlets such as Greta Garbo to princes and paupers alike. The author invites you in to the glamorous world that Cecil portrayed in his incredible portraits and the privileged access he had to society’s elite. A very worthwhile read for those who are interested in photography, art and social history. Highly recommended.