Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Lady Diana Manners, the ravishing daughter (officially, anyway) of the 8th Duke of Rutland, married the rising political star, Duff Cooper in 1919, instantly forming a golden couple who captivated London society between the wars.
Their only son, the late lamented John Julius Norwich - a consummate writer like themselves - was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. Endowed with no less than seventeen godparents, including the likes of Lord Beaverbrook and the Aga Khan, this redoubtable author, who left a string of first rate histories behind him, bequeathed one last work for publication after his death.
Known as A History of France in its American edition, this warm and affectionate book is a charmer. Covering two millennia of history of a frequently exasperating country in 400-odd pages would seem a daunting task (the witty footnotes warrant a review of their own), but Lord Norwich addresses it with typical flair, urbanity and humour.
As the crowning touch to a stellar career, this is popular history at its best.
More history video book reviews at:
bookreviewsandvideos.com/category/historical-and-political-book-reviews
Lady Diana Manners, the ravishing daughter (officially, anyway) of the 8th Duke of Rutland, married the rising political star, Duff Cooper in 1919, instantly forming a golden couple who captivated London society between the wars.
Their only son, the late lamented John Julius Norwich - a consummate writer like themselves - was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. Endowed with no less than seventeen godparents, including the likes of Lord Beaverbrook and the Aga Khan, this redoubtable author, who left a string of first rate histories behind him, bequeathed one last work for publication after his death.
Known as A History of France in its American edition, this warm and affectionate book is a charmer. Covering two millennia of history of a frequently exasperating country in 400-odd pages would seem a daunting task (the witty footnotes warrant a review of their own), but Lord Norwich addresses it with typical flair, urbanity and humour.
As the crowning touch to a stellar career, this is popular history at its best.
More history video book reviews at:
bookreviewsandvideos.com/category/historical-and-political-book-reviews
