The House of Mitford
The classic story of one of the twentieth century’s most extraordinary families.
‘A rare glimpse of the tangled undergrowth of English snobbery, prejudice and reactionary politics’ New York Times
‘A fine group portrait of a truly remarkable tribe’ Atlantic
Among the six daughters and one son born to David, second Lord Redesdale, and his wife Sydney were Nancy, the novelist and historian; Diana, who married fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley; Unity, friend of Hitler; Jessica, who became a communist and then an investigative journalist; and Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire and mistress of Chatsworth.
‘The Mitford Girls,’ as John Betjeman called them, were one of the twentieth century’s most controversial families; said to be always either in shrieks of laughter or floods of tears, they were glamorous, romantic and – especially in politics – extreme. Yet the teasing, often bordering on cruelty, the flamboyant contrasts and the violent disagreements, hid a powerful affection, subtle likenesses in character, and a powerful underlying unity.
‘A rare glimpse of the tangled undergrowth of English snobbery, prejudice and reactionary politics’ New York Times
‘A fine group portrait of a truly remarkable tribe’ Atlantic
Among the six daughters and one son born to David, second Lord Redesdale, and his wife Sydney were Nancy, the novelist and historian; Diana, who married fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley; Unity, friend of Hitler; Jessica, who became a communist and then an investigative journalist; and Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire and mistress of Chatsworth.
‘The Mitford Girls,’ as John Betjeman called them, were one of the twentieth century’s most controversial families; said to be always either in shrieks of laughter or floods of tears, they were glamorous, romantic and – especially in politics – extreme. Yet the teasing, often bordering on cruelty, the flamboyant contrasts and the violent disagreements, hid a powerful affection, subtle likenesses in character, and a powerful underlying unity.
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Reviews
A most lively and readable portrait of the Mitford girls' and their forebears. Written with detachment and good-humoured affection
Bigger, better and back on the shelves. Lord Moyne's lively account of the swishest society sextet has been updated. It's an oldie but it's a goodie
Readers are afforded a rare glimpse of the tangled undergrowth of English snobbery, prejudice and reactionary politics - not just of 50 years ago but of today
The book is delightfully readable, filled with fascinating peeps into personal letters and secret diaries. The earlier generations, wonderful Victorian eccentrics of wealth and privilege, are as amusing to read about as the later ones
A fine group portrait of a truly remarkable tribe
This entertaining book continues to promote the Mitfords' historical interest