Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When ignoring the author's I would say, forgiving nature, this is one hell of a book about a woman who lead an unbelievable life. Clearly Pamela Harriman was no perfect angel, and did more with what she was given than anyone else would have dared or dreamed, but I felt like her more negative traits regularly found themselves under the rug.
Additionally, whilst being highly detailed in some areas of historical context, others assumed rather more prior knowledge than I had anticipated and so frustrated my progress through the book. Overall, worth a look if you're super interested

This was a fascinating read; I couldn't believe I had never heard of this amazing woman. Pamela's life was extraordinary and her hand in many of the world's most important events cannot be underestimated, though it has been for decades. I'm so glad that this book seeks to right the injustice of her removal from key events and her skill, diplomacy and intellect is finally being celebrated rather than just her beauty and controversy.
From Winston Churchill to Bill Clinton, Pamela was a confidante and sounding board for many of the worlds celebrated leaders, if she'd been a man, it’s hard to imagine what limits and barriers she would have encountered, the sky would have been the limit. That is not to say that Pamela didn't have her faults, the book does not shy away from showing all sides to this complex woman. An interesting read that despite the length I was totally absorbed in.

If this book was fiction, folk would have a hard time suspending their disbelief. The reality that it is truth makes this an even more amazing and incredible book and Sonia Purnell has done a fantastic job of writing it.

My review cannot possibly do it justice but what I can say is that for a woman to spend her first 25 years doing what she did behind the political scenes to bring all sorts of unlikely scenarios to fruition is jaw dropping and I do not believe what she achieved could have been achieved by a man.

Her next 25 years which loosely started as World War II ended was relatively quiet as circumstances tried to do to her what it did to all women who had "to go to work" as men were not available. Circumstances and the people who supported "women should be seen and not heard" failed and she roared into the rest of her life, continuing to achieve the impossible.

Having moved her allegiance across the Atlantic to the US of A, she spent the rest of her life striving to prove to Europe and the French in particular that it would be beneficial to all if they took America seriously. It is a fair conclusion to say she achieved this. I think it is also fair to say that Pamela Harriman was misunderstood by much of the world but the ones that did understand her are in no doubt what she, as a woman, achieved that no man could possibly have done in her place.

Her life was so, so far from being sweetness and light, what with the very ugly behaviour of her family and her many detractors but, in terms of her legacy to the world, she is, at present, unsurpassed.

If you have any interest at all in the way our political world has become what it is over the last 100 years, you need to read this biography: it will astound you.

What an amazing person Pamela was. I had never heard of her until I was lucky enough to read this book. A well written and easy enough to follow along that you’ll get lost in the pages as read find out more details about her life. Highly recommend

Pamela Harriman has crossed my reading path a couple of times in the past - most often as one of Truman Capote's slightly more tangential Swans - namely the one who came and stole Slim Keith's Husband and whose amorous exploits were among those featured in Capote's notorious La Cote Basque 1965. Her reputation was as a modern courtesan, but in this book, Sonia Purnell sets out to re-examine Harriman's life and legacy and position her as a secret political power player who learnt how to exercise soft power as Winston Churchill's daughter-in-law and took those lessons on to the rest of her life - to help Gianni Agnelli while they were lovers and then later to help the Democratic Party back to life in the late 1980s and early 1990s, culminating in her appointment as Amabassador to Paris by Bill Clinton and a role in American involvement in the Balkan conflict.

Considering that Harriman is most often referred to as a courtesan, or as someone who made a study of rich men's ceilings, this is quite a reappraisal. But Purnell makes a strong case for Pamela as a woman who used the skills and talents that she had in the ways that were permitted as a woman at whatever the given time was, and then seeking to improve and better herself and her education throughout her life. I look forward to what I'm sure will be a number of articles in response to this to see what the response is but Purnell has had access to a wealth of papers and interviews to write the book and in her telling the story of Harriman's life is remarkable and compelling - and hard to find parallels to.

What an amazing story! Another formidable woman who has been forgotten or dismissed. Brilliant storytelling and research. I felt I knew this extraordinary woman who lived through extraordinary times. In France, America and the UK she was there to influence top society and politicians. De Gaulle, Churchill and Clinton are amongst the famous leaders who had great respect for Pamela Churchill Harriman. Such an enjoyable and educational read. Loved it!

Kingmaker offers a detailed, fascinating look into the life of Pamela Churchill Harriman, a woman whose influence spanned political and social circles. Married to Winston Churchill’s son, she became a pivotal figure in global events, admired by some and ridiculed by others. The book provides a balanced biography, allowing readers to form their own opinions about this extraordinary woman.

Despite her privileged background—wealth, the Churchill name, and a string of high-profile relationships—Harriman exceeded expectations, carving out significant political power. However, the book doesn't shy away from her flaws, particularly her strained relationship with her only son, Winston Jr., which was marred by her pursuit of success and fame.

The biography is rich with historical and political references, highlighting her connections with powerful figures, though she often alienated women, especially the wives of influential men.

Ruthless yet kind, determined yet complicated, Pamela Churchill Harriman was a force to be reckoned with. Kingmaker is an insightful and comprehensive biography, perfect for those intrigued by her tumultuous, glittering life.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

I had heard of Pamela Harriman in that she was the US ambassador to France and connected to the Churchill family. I did not have any other details but this well researched and comprehensive biography tells you everything you could want to know about one the the most influential women of the 20th century. Her influence began as the daughter in law of Winston Churchill during WW2, opening up the world of international relations and low grade spying and ended as a much feted US ambassador. She transformed herself from an unsuccessful, unattractive debutante to a world class sex siren, at times more famous for her conquests than her intelligence. Courtesan or diplomat? I think history shows us that courtesans need to be diplomats to succeed and Pamela Churchill Harriman lived a life encompassing both aspects.

Fascinating & riveting read. An incredible story of a highly unusual woman who played important political roles on both sides of the Atlantic. I did not know about Pamela Churchill Harriman before I read this very detailed book. The first part is about the World War Two years. Pamela was just 19 at the start of the war. She was newly married to Winston Churchill’s only son Randolph. She had vast influence with Winston & the Americans. She was intelligent, ambitious & very knowledgeable. She sought power & influence throughout her life. A well written & researched biography, full of facts, anecdotes & memories of a full life, lived in the spotlight. Interesting & informative.

I had only really heard of Pamela Churchill in anecdotes from stories around Truman Capote and the Swans and she wasn't painted in a very good light!!
The Kingmaker opens you to the extraordinary women that she was with a life that included friendships with so many of the most powerful political figures in recent history. The author maybe slightly biased towards the ;positive parts of Pamela's life but she does also include the more controversial aspects too.

A long, but very interested read with politics, glamour, love and family relationships.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read Kingmaker.

A big book, overflowing with facts, memories, antidotes and everything else you could want to know about Pamela Churchill Harriman

Married to Winston Churchills son she became pivotal to many political world events and was sought after by many, triumphed by some, equally sneered and ridiculed by others the book shows I felt a fair from all perspectives biography/memoir and left the reader to make their own mind up about this extraordinary woman

I confess to never having heard of her, somewhat surprising I guess seeing my ex work and love of Political biographies but try as I might I just couldn’t recollect her at all, even more surprising when I had finished the 625 page book and realised just what she had achieved

Now there is no doubting privilege, money ( and not ordinary wealth we are talking unimaginable amounts ) the Churchill name via marriage and her, shall we say, love of men all mixed together to open the doors she seeked to make her mark however she really went way above even her own expectations once she reached the power she so craved

She was far from perfect, can we say she was a terrible Mother? if the book is to believed then yes she was to her only child Winston ( Jnr ) and success, glitz, sex and fame came way way above her role as a Mum, she seemed indifferent to this but her relationship with her son suffered greatly through their lives and even after her death

Every political and royal name you can muster up from a lifetime of watching the news and current affairs is cited and often quoted in the book, she had remarkable contacts and a almost unworldly fascination to powerful men, women to put it kindly did not ‘take to her’ so readily especially wives of the rich and influential

Ruthless yet kind, demanding yet patient when needed and with cut glass determination Pamela Churchill Harriman was a force to be reckoned with, loved and loathed equally depending on your view and certainly this more than informative book was a great insight into her jubilant yet sullied life

A treat of a book, a long book its true but then it had to be to delve into this turbulent wild life

I knew nothing about Pamela Harriman before I started reading this biography and now I know just about everything! What an amazing lady. This book is really a fascinating read about a trail blazing lady who knew what she wanted and set out to achieve it. It takes you through a time when it wasn’t easy being a woman in politics to more recent times when things are starting to change. This is a really well written biography that perhaps is slightly biased towards the subject but I think Pamela took enough criticism when she was alive that she deserves to be on a pedestal for a while at least.

Wasn’t sure about the title for this biography but found it totally absorbing and quite fascinating, I love a book that makes me want to know more! Not sure I would have liked Pamela Harriman but she certainly lead a full and exciting life! As daughter in law of Winston Churchill she was able to experience WW2 close up and made the most of every opportunity in more ways than one! Her marriage was not successful but her parents in law were closer to her than to their own son Randolph! Poor Winston Junior though never stood a chance - Pamela was a dreadful mother! Ambitious, materialistic, clever and narcissistic Pamela was all these - a man’s woman through and through! She certainly fitted in with American lifestyle and her achievements within the Democratic Party made her a real trail blazer for future women! Not a woman who was greatl.y loved but certainly a woman who was much admired! A wonderfully educational read!

A most revealing and well researched book about someone (until now) I knew nothing about. Pamela Churchill Harriman certainly lived life in the fast lane acting as confidant to many but squirreling back highly useful bits of information for Churchill during the war years. Reinventing her life in American politics some years later. If you want an insight to Bill Clinton's presidency and how he came to stand then you'll be amazed at how Pamela played quite a pivotal role and was later rewarded by being made America's ambassador in Paris. A city and people she knew very well.
A truly fascinating account of a remarkable woman.

This is a fantastic technicolor biography of the 20th Century's greatest diplomat and courtesan, Pamela Digby. Had this story been a man's, she would be much more famous, that's for sure.
It deserves a 12-part drama to capture the intrigue, glamour and bad behaviour of Pamela Digby's amazing life.

The overriding thought I have about Pamela Harriman after reading this book is that, born in another time when women had more opportunities in political life, she could have risen very high as a politician in her own right. Obviously intelligent, ambitious and very knowledgeable she remained in the highest circles throughout her life, using all the means she had to do so and putting these interests above almost everything else in her life.

The early part of the book, set during the Second World War, was especially interesting and it’s extremely well researched and very sympathetic to its subject. I did find it went into a little too much detail and went on a little too long, but it’s a fascinating read about a highly unusual woman.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Kingmaker by Sonia Purnell

A fascinating read about an important ( and highly intelligent women ) that had a part in many political moments in time.

Brilliantly researched , very readable .

I have to admit, I, like many other people I imagine, had never heard of Pamela Harriman, but goodness what a woman she was! Living life to the full, and trying to do this on her own terms, she was key in the careers of many internationally well known politicians and power brokers, and deserves to be better known.
The book felt like quite a labour of love for Ms Purnell and the depth of her research was obvious, but, I have to admit that at times I did find the minutiae of some events a little tedious. Overall though a very interesting read.
Thank you to netgalley and Little,Brown books for an advance copy of this book.

An interesting book. I enjoyed the Second World War and her ambassadorship sections but found the middle part a bit slow. Purnell has put so much detail into the book it tended to read as a diary rather a reflection of Pamela's life. In fact, Pamela on several occasions actually aided world peace. She really was a tour de force.

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a gripping tale of history and Psychology and war and greed and manipulation. It’s a real wow of a book. It’s my first Sonia Purnell book but it wont be my last.