“A thorough account of Harriman’s rise which also manages to be a brisk twisty read … riveting
and revelatory.” — The New Yorker “a must-read book of Fall 2024” — People Magazine
“Rigorous but rollicking.” — The New York Times 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.
