Henry ‘Chips’ Channon: The Diaries (Volume 3): 1943-57

The third and final volume of the remarkable Sunday Times bestselling diaries of Sir Henry 'Chips' Channon'An utterly addictive glimpse of London high society and politics in the 40s and 50s.' Robert Harris'An instant classic . . . quite simply the greatest social and political diaries of the 20th century.' Daily Telegraph'Rich, exuberant, copious and shatteringly honest.' Spectator'A scurrilous read. Fascinating. Gripping!' Alan Titchmarsh'Chips writes with such vividness that one feels one is living each day in his exalted company.' The Oldie___The political career of Conservative MP Henry 'Chips' Channon (1897-1958) was unremarkable. His diaries are quite the opposite. Witty, gossipy and bitchy by turns, they are the unfettered observations of a man who went everywhere and knew everyone.This third and final volume begins as the Second World war is turning in the Allies' favour. It closes with Chips slowly descending into poor health but striving to remain socially active. En route, we see him assiduously record the tribulations of both Labour and Conservative governments in parliament, gossip about the private lives of the great and the good, and conduct passionate affairs with a young army officer and the playwright Terence Rattigan, while being serially unfaithful to both. Throughout, he confirms his position as 'the greatest British diarist of the 20th century'.

The greatest British diarist of the 20th century. A feast of weapons-grade above-stairs gossip. Now, finally, we are getting the full text, in all its bitchy, scintillating detail, thanks to the journalist and historian Simon Heffer, whose editing of this vast trove of material represents an astonishing achievement. Channon is a delightful guide, by turns frivolous and profound.--Ben Macintyre, The Times

Wickedly entertaining . . . scrupulously edited and annotated by Simon Heffer. Genuinely shocking, and still revelatory.--Andrew Marr, New Statesman

The between-the-wars diaries of the romping, social-climbing MP Henry Channon make for an irresistible, saucy read. There are plenty of anecdotes, bons mots and delicious tales of scandal . . . one of the most impressive editions of our time.--The Telegraph

Channon's chief virtue as a writer is his abiding awareness that dullness is the worst sin of all, and for this reason they're among the most glittering and enjoyable [diaries] ever written--The Observer

Sensation, spite, social climbing, high society, self-indulgence, sex; Chips Channon had the raw materials to make his uncensored diaries newsworthy a century after he began them. They shock, repel and compel because they don't conceal . . . He is calculating, selfish, amoral, vain, ambitious and deluded, and more of us should follow his example. Not in the living, but in the recording of it.--Jenni Russell, The Times

Although Channon was frequently wrong and occasionally repellent, there is no denying his talent as a diarist or the historical value of his diaries. Lacking pomposity or dissemblance, his entries are often witty, sometimes perceptive, and always fascinating--Air Mail

The diaries are fascinating and sometimes a key historical record. And the man could write.--Daily Mirror

Sir Henry (Chips) Channon was born in Chicago in 1897. The son of a wealthy businessman, he accompanied the American Red Cross to Paris in 1917, was an undergraduate at Christ Church, Oxford, and then settled in London where he mingled with society and enjoyed the high life. He married into the Guinness family, and became a Conservative MP for Southend from 1935 until his death.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.