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Charmed Life

The Phenomenal World of Philip Sassoon

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Charmed Life

By: Damian Collins
Narrated by: Thomas Judd
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Summary

The story of a fascinating man who connected the great politicians, artists and thinkers at the height of British global power and influence.

A famed aesthete, politician and patron of the arts, Philip Sassoon lived in a world of English elegance and oriental flair. Gathering a social set that would provide inspiration for Brideshead Revisited, Sassoon gave parties at which Winston Churchill argued with George Bernard Shaw, while Noël Coward and Lawrence of Arabia mingled with flamingos and Rex Whistler painted murals as the party carried on around them.

Not merely a wealthy socialite, he worked at the right hand of Douglas Haig during the First World War and then for Prime Minister Lloyd George for the settlement of the peace. He was close to King Edward VIII during the abdication crisis, and Minister for the Air Force in the 1930s. And yet as the heir of wealthy Jewish traders from the souks of Baghdad, Philip craved acceptance from the English establishment. In Charmed Life, Damian Collins explores an extraordinary connected life at the heart of society during the height of British global power and influence.

 20th Century Entertainment & Celebrities Historical Military & War Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Winston Churchill Royalty Military War Imperialism Heartfelt Celebrity Inspiring Soviet Union Africa Interwar Period
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Critic reviews

‘Enlivened with a rich crop of anecdotes … Sassoon emerges as a delicate, almost fairytale figure … as a supreme networker, a dedicated politician and a lover of beautiful things’ The Times

‘Damian Collins has written the first history of Sassoon’s life, offering an extraordinary insight into a colourful, quintessential aristocrat’ Vanity Fair

‘Sassoon’s legacy was like a rare scent on a pocket handkerchief. Damian Collins has done a good job in assembling the pieces to create a readable and lively picture of this extravagant creature’ Literary Review

‘Sir Phillip Sassoon was an extraordinary man, whose life vividly illustrates how politics changed’ New Statesman

‘Damian Collins rehearses the party life of his subject, but it’s the political life that fascinates him’ Country Life
All stars
Most relevant
An interesting period, but not really a major player. Just a very rich and possibly not very bright man.
The reading is not heartfelt, the writing stylistically banal. Many, many names are mispronounced, and this is annoying, distracting and disappointing.

Not enough colour

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I liked the display of Philip Sassoon’s life, but still feel Philip hols back. Why.

The panorama of history as backdrop to a rather shy Sassoon (unlikeSiegfiefried)

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Multiple mispronunciations of English names, and frequent wrong emphases. Poorly prepared. Book itself somewhat shallow and under-researched.

Very poor reading

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The book is a joy to listen to and clearly a labour of love. The way the many different eras are intertwined and the historical facts laid out is superb. It is most informative as well as entertaining. Congratulations Damian!

Very professionally written!

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