Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue
“A thorough account of Harriman’s rise which also manages to be a brisk, twisty read … riveting and revelatory.” —The New Yorker
“Rigorous but rollicking.” —The New York Times
Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by The New Yorker, Apple Books, The Economist, Politico, Town & Country, The Guardian, Financial Times, The Spectator, The Telegraph, The Oldie, Irish Examiner, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, London Standard, and The Times Literary Supplement and a Must-Read Book of Fall 2024 by People Magazine
A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, an electrifying re-examination of one of the 20th century’s greatest unsung power players
When Pamela Churchill Harriman died in 1997, the obituaries that followed were predictably scathing – and many were downright sexist. Written off as a mere courtesan and social climber, her true legacy was overshadowed by a glamorous social life and her infamous erotic adventures. Much of what she did behind the scenes – on both sides of the Atlantic - remained invisible and secret. That is, until now: with a wealth of fresh research, interviews and newly discovered sources, Sonia Purnell unveils for the first time the full, spectacular story of how she left an indelible mark on the world today.
At age 20 Churchill’s beloved daughter-in-law became a “secret weapon” during World War II, strategically wining, dining, and seducing diplomats and generals to help win over American sentiment (and secrets) to the British cause against Hitler. After the war, she helped to transform Fiat heir Gianni Agnelli into Italy’s ‘uncrowned king’ on the international stage and after moving to the US brought a struggling Democratic party back to life, hand-picking Bill Clinton from obscurity and vaulting him to the presidency.
Picked as Ambassador to France, she deployed her legendary subtle powers to charm world leaders and help efforts to bring peace to Bosnia, playing her part in what was arguably the high-water mark of American global supremacy.
There are few at any time who have operated as close to the center of power over five decades and two continents, and there is practically no one in 20th Century politics, culture, and fashion whose lives she did not touch, including the Kennedys, Truman Capote, Aly Khan, Kay Graham, Gloria Steinem, Ed Murrow, and Frank Sinatra. Written with the novelistic richness and investigative rigor that only Sonia Purnell could bring to this story full of sex, politics, yachts, palaces and fabulous clothes, KINGMAKER re-asserts Harriman’s rightful place at the heart of history.
“Rigorous but rollicking.” —The New York Times
Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by The New Yorker, Apple Books, The Economist, Politico, Town & Country, The Guardian, Financial Times, The Spectator, The Telegraph, The Oldie, Irish Examiner, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, London Standard, and The Times Literary Supplement and a Must-Read Book of Fall 2024 by People Magazine
A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, an electrifying re-examination of one of the 20th century’s greatest unsung power players
When Pamela Churchill Harriman died in 1997, the obituaries that followed were predictably scathing – and many were downright sexist. Written off as a mere courtesan and social climber, her true legacy was overshadowed by a glamorous social life and her infamous erotic adventures. Much of what she did behind the scenes – on both sides of the Atlantic - remained invisible and secret. That is, until now: with a wealth of fresh research, interviews and newly discovered sources, Sonia Purnell unveils for the first time the full, spectacular story of how she left an indelible mark on the world today.
At age 20 Churchill’s beloved daughter-in-law became a “secret weapon” during World War II, strategically wining, dining, and seducing diplomats and generals to help win over American sentiment (and secrets) to the British cause against Hitler. After the war, she helped to transform Fiat heir Gianni Agnelli into Italy’s ‘uncrowned king’ on the international stage and after moving to the US brought a struggling Democratic party back to life, hand-picking Bill Clinton from obscurity and vaulting him to the presidency.
Picked as Ambassador to France, she deployed her legendary subtle powers to charm world leaders and help efforts to bring peace to Bosnia, playing her part in what was arguably the high-water mark of American global supremacy.
There are few at any time who have operated as close to the center of power over five decades and two continents, and there is practically no one in 20th Century politics, culture, and fashion whose lives she did not touch, including the Kennedys, Truman Capote, Aly Khan, Kay Graham, Gloria Steinem, Ed Murrow, and Frank Sinatra. Written with the novelistic richness and investigative rigor that only Sonia Purnell could bring to this story full of sex, politics, yachts, palaces and fabulous clothes, KINGMAKER re-asserts Harriman’s rightful place at the heart of history.
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Community Reviews
The true story of Pamela Digby Churchill Hayward Harriman reads a bit like the character, Forest Gump. Because like the fictional Forest, Pamela was present and in the thick of it all during key political events of the twentieth century. On the cusp of England’s entry into WW2, Pamela is an English debutante who was unsuccessfully matched. At 19, she is out one evening and is introduced to Randolph Churchill, Winston’s son, who immediately proposes to her - because all of the Brits are pairing up before the men ship off to war. Pamela says yes, barely knowing him. And certainly not knowing the role his father will play as Prime Minister. Once Winston is elected shortly thereafter, Pamela resides with the elder Churchills at 10 Downing Street, pregnant, while her husband is deployed. Pamela surprises herself and others by taking a real interest in politics, becoming part of Churchill’s inner circle and sounding board. She has a real knack for charm, diplomacy and strategy, traits that will carry forth through many next lives with lovers and connections that read as a who’s who list of famous Hollywood, royalty and political figures. Her ability to read a room and bring sides together was a gift. It also makes for a great story, as she rises to the upper echelons of the US Democratic Party, and is named as the French ambassador in Bill Clinton’s first administration - a favor granted, because Pamela first identified Clinton as presidential material, when he was still an ex-governor of Arkansas with a lot of potential. The name of the book, ‘Kingmaker’ is apt, as she was seen as being a courtesan who got to where she was, on her back, sleeping with many important men along the way. But also along the way, she became a king in her own right.
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