{"title":"Sonia Purnell","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the fascinating world of history and biography with the works of \u003cem\u003eSonia Purnell\u003c\/em\u003e, a distinguished author known for her compelling narratives and meticulous research. Her books offer an engaging exploration of remarkable lives that have shaped the course of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of her most acclaimed works, \u003cstrong\u003eA Woman of No Importance\u003c\/strong\u003e, brings to light the riveting story of Virginia Hall, a trailblazing American spy whose daring operations during World War II contributed significantly to the Allied success. This biography is a testament to Purnell's ability to weave intricate details into a gripping story that honours an unsung hero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003eFirst Lady\u003c\/strong\u003e, Sonia Purnell presents an intriguing portrait of Clementine Churchill, revealing the vital role she played alongside her husband, Winston Churchill. This biography uncovers the profound impact of her influence and support, showcasing her as a formidable force in her own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePurnell's exploration of politics continues with \u003cstrong\u003eJust Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition\u003c\/strong\u003e, previously known as \u003cstrong\u003eJust Boris\u003c\/strong\u003e. This biography offers insight into the life and career of Boris Johnson, providing a nuanced examination of his political journey and the ambition that drives him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSonia Purnell's books fall under the \u003cem\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/em\u003e category, capturing the essence of her subjects with both depth and clarity. Her works are perfect for readers who enjoy uncovering the untold stories of history's influential figures.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"a-woman-of-no-importance","title":"A Woman of No Importance","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eA Woman of No Importance\u003c\/i\u003e by Sonia Purnell is a gripping and meticulously researched biography that unveils the untold story of Virginia Hall, an American woman who became one of the most formidable spies of World War II.\n\nIn September 1941, Virginia Hall, disguised as a journalist, arrived in Lyon, Vichy France. Despite the wooden leg she acquired from a hunting accident, she manoeuvred through the treacherous landscape of war-torn France with a determined gait and captivating beauty. Her mission: to ignite the flames of resistance against the Nazi regime.\n\nBy 1942, Hall had become the Gestapo's most urgent target. She had successfully infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare tactics, and orchestrated daring escapes from Nazi prison camps. As the first woman to go undercover for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), her intelligence gathering and covert operations significantly altered the course of the war. However, her battle against tyranny did not end there.\n\nPurnell’s narrative deftly explores the myriad obstacles Hall faced, including the sexism and discrimination that challenged her at every turn. Despite these hurdles, Hall's indomitable spirit and strategic acumen cemented her legacy as a wartime hero.\n\nThis biography not only highlights Hall’s astounding contributions to the Allied forces but also delves into her personal journey of overcoming adversity. Her wooden leg, far from being a hindrance, became a symbol of her resilience and unwavering determination.\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e'A METICULOUS HISTORY THAT READS LIKE A THRILLER'\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eBEN MACINTYRE, TEN BEST BOOKS TO READ ABOUT WORLD WAR II\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eA rousing tale of heroism, spycraft, resistance, and personal triumph\u003c\/strong\u003e over tremendous adversity. This book is an extraordinary account of bravery and intelligence that will leave readers enthralled.\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e'A rousing tale of derring-do' \u003c\/strong\u003e— THE TIMES \u003cbr\u003e \n\u003cstrong\u003e'Riveting' \u003c\/strong\u003e— MICK HERRON \u003cbr\u003e \n\u003cstrong\u003e'Superb' \u003c\/strong\u003e— IRISH TIMES\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eTHE \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e BESTSELLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\nPurnell's work offers a unique perspective on the life of a woman whose contributions to history have long been overlooked. Through exhaustive research and compelling prose, she paints a vivid picture of Virginia Hall’s wartime exploits and the sheer willpower that drove her to change the world.\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e'A cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman'\u003c\/strong\u003e — TELEGRAPH\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Gripping ... superb ... a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman'\u003c\/strong\u003e — IRISH TIMES\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eWINNER of the PLUTARCH AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003ci\u003eA Woman of No Importance\u003c\/i\u003e is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II, espionage, and the remarkable true stories of individuals who defied the odds to shape history.\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45711115452652,"sku":"9780349010168","price":27.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780349010168.jpg?v=1725971436"},{"product_id":"kingmaker-by-sonia-purnell-9780349014739","title":"Kingmaker","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAn electrifying re-examination of one of the twentieth century's greatest unsung power players, from the bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eA Woman of No Importance\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eA 2024 BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE \u003ci\u003eTelegraph, Economist, \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eSpectator \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eTLS\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Supremely enjoyable ... With a historian's eye for rigour, a journalist's for detail and a storyteller's for drama' \u003c\/b\u003eFINANCIAL TIMES\n\n\u003cb\u003e'A page turner that matches her subject in verve and ambition ... Tremendous'\u003c\/b\u003e IRISH EXAMINER\n\n\u003cb\u003e'A wonderfully racy romp [and] a gripping biography of a brave, ambitious woman' \u003c\/b\u003eDAILY MAIL\n\n\u003cb\u003e'An incredible story, beautifully told, of a remarkable woman whose political influence spanned Churchill to Clinton. Quite a woman, quite a read' \u003c\/b\u003eALASTAIR CAMPBELL\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Superb and fascinating. I can't recommend it more' \u003c\/b\u003eLADY ANNE GLENCONNER, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eLady in Waiting\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Pamela Churchill Harriman died in 1997, the obituaries that followed were scathing - and often downright sexist. Written off as a social climber, her glamorous social life and infamous erotic adventures overshadowed her true legacy. Much of what she did behind the scenes to shape the twentieth century, on both sides of the Atlantic, remained invisible. That is, until now: with a wealth of fresh research, Sonia Purnell unveils for the first time the full, spectacular story of how Harriman left an indelible mark on the world today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is practically no-one in twentieth-century politics, culture and fashion whose lives she did not touch. Her influence began at age twenty, when her father-in-law, Winston Churchill, engaged her as a \"secret weapon\" during World War II, wining, dining and seducing Americans over to the British cause against Hitler. It continued later in the US, where she hand-picked Bill Clinton from obscurity and vaulted him to the presidency. It extended further, over five decades and two continents, influencing figures like the Kennedys, Nelson Mandela, Truman Capote, Gianni Agnelli, Kay Graham, Gloria Steinem and Frank Sinatra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWritten with the novelistic richness and investigative rigour that only Sonia Purnell could bring to this story full of sex, power, yachts, palaces and fabulous clothes, \u003ci\u003eKingmaker\u003c\/i\u003e sets out Harriman's rightful place at the heart of recent history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \n\n\u003cb\u003e'Rigorous but rollicking'\u003c\/b\u003e NEW YORK TIMES\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Fascinating and revelatory, written with great aplomb, insight and shrewd analysis. A triumph' \u003c\/b\u003eWILLIAM BOYD\n\n\u003cb\u003e'As compelling as its subject' \u003c\/b\u003eTLS\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Riveting and revelatory' \u003c\/b\u003eTHE NEW YORKER\n\n\u003cb\u003e'An alluring new biography' \u003c\/b\u003eTHE ECONOMIST\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Purnell's research is impeccable' \u003c\/b\u003eSPECTATOR\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45953504674028,"sku":"9780349014739","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780349014739.jpg?v=1732924917"},{"product_id":"first-lady-by-sonia-purnell-9781781313077","title":"First Lady","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the personal and political upheavals of the Great War, through the Churchills' 'wilderness years' in the 1930s, to Clementine's desperate efforts to preserve her husband's health during the struggle against Hitler, this is the inspiring but often ignored story of one of the most important women in modern history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWithout Churchill's inspiring leadership Britain could not have survived its darkest hour and repelled the Nazi menace. Without his wife Clementine, however, he might never have become Prime Minister. By his own admission, the Second World War would have been 'impossible without her'. Clementine was Winston's emotional rock and his most trusted confidante; not only was she involved in some of the most crucial decisions of war, but she exerted an influence over her husband and the Government that would appear scandalous to modern eyes. Yet her ability to charm Britain's allies and her humanitarian efforts on the Home Front earned her deep respect, both behind closed doors in Whitehall and among the population at large.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat Clementine should become Britain's 'First Lady' was by no means pre-ordained. Born into impecunious aristocracy, her childhood was far from gilded. Her mother was a serial adulteress and gambler, who spent many years uprooting her children to escape the clutches of their erstwhile father, and by the time Clementine entered polite society she had become the target of cruel snobbery and rumours about her parentage. In Winston, however, she discovered a partner as emotionally insecure as herself, and in his career she found her mission. Her dedication to his cause may have had tragic consequences for their children, but theirs was a marriage that changed the course of history. Now, acclaimed biographer Sonia Purnell explores the peculiar dynamics of this fascinating union in \u003ci\u003eFirst Lady\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e: 'Engrossing.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- \u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e: 'Probing, well-researched and wise.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEvening Standard\u003c\/em\u003e: 'An intriguing study of a character both deeply flawed and, in her way, magnificent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46530480570604,"sku":"9781781313077","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5831393482822.jpg?v=1749258874"},{"product_id":"kingmaker-by-sonia-purnell-9780349014753","title":"Kingmaker","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn electrifying re-examination of one of the twentieth century's greatest unsung power players, from the bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eA Woman of No Importance\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNamed a Best Book of the Year by the \u003ci\u003eTelegraph, Economist, Financial Times, Guardian, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, Times Literary Supplement, Spectator, Irish Examiner, London Standard, New Yorker, Politico, Apple Books, Town \u0026amp; Country\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eOldie\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Supremely enjoyable . . . With a historian's eye for rigour, a journalist's for detail and a storyteller's for drama' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A page turner that matches her subject in verve and ambition . . . Tremendous' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eIrish Examiner\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A wonderfully racy romp [and] a gripping biography of a brave, ambitious woman' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'An incredible story, beautifully told, of a remarkable woman whose political influence spanned Churchill to Clinton. Quite a woman, quite a read' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlastair Campbell\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Superb and fascinating. I can't recommend it more' \u003c\/b\u003eLady Anne Glenconner, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eLady in Waiting\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring Pamela Churchill Harriman's life and even after her death, in 1997, her glamorous social life and infamous erotic adventures overshadowed her true accomplishments. She was one of the most powerful women of the 20th century and there is practically no-one in 20th century politics, culture and fashion whose lives she did not touch: from her father-in-law Winston Churchill, to the Kennedys and Gloria Steinem, to Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. Now, for the first time and with a wealth of fresh research, Sonia Purnell unveils the spectacular story of how Harriman left an indelible mark on the world today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Rigorous but rollicking' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Fascinating and revelatory. A triumph' \u003c\/b\u003eWilliam Boyd\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'As compelling as its subject' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eTLS\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Riveting and revelatory' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46607449522412,"sku":"9780349014753","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780349014753.jpg?v=1751494698"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/sonia-purnell.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}