Kingmaker

Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue

By: Sonia Purnell

Narrated by: Louise Brealey

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.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF of Pamela Harriman's life through images.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Sonia Purnell (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“This is a deliciously seductive read. Sonia Purnell escorts readers behind the scenes, beneath the covers, and between the lines in an enthralling and exhaustive portrait of Pamela Harriman, whose life and legacy have long deserved the kind of insightful treatment that someone with Purnell’s storytelling talents can provide. Harriman stands fully and uncompromisingly on her own, a testament to Purnell’s sumptuous prose and unrelenting investigative talents—Kingmaker is masterfully wrought.”—Denise Kiernan, New York Times bestselling author of The Girls of Atomic City, The Last Castle, and We Gather Together

“A completely fascinating and revelatory biography, written with great aplomb, insight and shrewd analysis. A triumph.”—William Boyd, Booker-nominated author of Any Human Heart

“With Kingmaker, Sonia Purnell emerges as one of the most accomplished biographers of our time. Once again, she gifts readers with a vivid, glittering, sexy, scintillating, beautifully written portrait of a woman who drove twentieth-century history even as history was driving her. Wife, courtesan, hostess, muse, mistress, social climber, fundraiser, ambassador: The English language has no single word to describe an ambitious female whose fate (across generations) depended on her skill at connecting, cajoling, wooing, and winning over. Today, of course, we'd call her a politician. Kingmaker is a rich and nuanced study of power—its allure, its perils, the gratifications and the great cost of its pursuit."—Liza Mundy, New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA

Excellent in every way!

Enlightening, educational, humanizing portrayal of a great female historical and world figure. Not a dull moment. Excellent writing and beautifully narrated. May purchase hard copy for my home library.

What a remarkable real person!

Great narration and very interesting subject. A mixture of great and not great choices in life. Her family had issues and she was one who gave much to the world.

Amazing story & narrator

The author once again has dug deep into the life of an incredible woman overlooked by history. I thoroughly enjoyed learning so much about a woman who, while not perfect, gives us much to look up to. And the narrator was fabulous!

The depth of history she participated in

Sometimes there was too much personal detail of non important things and at times perhaps exaggerated positive spin

The detail was exceptional, yet never became boring with details.

History from pre- WWII through the 1990's written from a different perspective. If only High School world history was written this way, more students would pay attention.

Fascinating life. Well researched and written.

This woman did many great things for the world. Had a lot of enemies but this author is not one of them. Arguably helped win WW2 with her vagina and helped create the modern democratic party with her keen mind. What a life!

Surname pronunciation

Sandy Berger is pronounced BURGER. Pretty sure she mispronounced Peter Duchin last name also. Overall excellent

What an extraordinary woman

I absolutely loved this book. Just fascinating from start to end. I’ll read every title by this author after reading this book.

I loved it.

It’s about time someone wrote a book about Pamela that embraced and acknowledges exactly what she achieved. I wish the author’s pronunciations were a little better.

Surprisingly interesting

Harriman's life was amazing and she was a formidable woman. An excellent biography about a remarkable woman