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Passing Glory
The colorful private lives of members of the Britton family intertwine with twentieth-century history as the powerful, wealthy dynasty plays a leading role in the Great War, the Depression, Edward VIII's abdication, and the Battle of Britain
598 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 1989
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Reay Tannahill
27 books63 followersReay Tannahill was born on December 9, 1929 in Glasgow, Scotland, where she brought up. Her forename was the maiden name of her mother, Olive Reay. She was educated at Shawlands Academy, and obtained an MA in History and a postgraduate certificate in Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow. In 1958, she married Michael Edwardes but the marriage ended in divorce in 1983, he died in 1990. Until her death on November 2, 2007, she lived in a smart terrace house in London near Tate Britain.
Before started to write, she worked as a probation officer, advertising copywriter, newspaper reporter, historical researcher and graphic designer. She published her first non-fiction book in 1964. The international success came with the novel Food in History, her publisher suggested a companion volume on the second great human imperative, Sex in History. For her 2002 revised edition of 'Food in History, she won the Premio Letterario Internazionale Chianti Ruffino Antico Fattore. She also wrote historical romance novels, and in 1990, her novel Passing Glory won in 1990 the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. She belonged to the Arts Club and the Authors' Club, and was chairman of the latter from 1997 to 2000.
Before started to write, she worked as a probation officer, advertising copywriter, newspaper reporter, historical researcher and graphic designer. She published her first non-fiction book in 1964. The international success came with the novel Food in History, her publisher suggested a companion volume on the second great human imperative, Sex in History. For her 2002 revised edition of 'Food in History, she won the Premio Letterario Internazionale Chianti Ruffino Antico Fattore. She also wrote historical romance novels, and in 1990, her novel Passing Glory won in 1990 the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. She belonged to the Arts Club and the Authors' Club, and was chairman of the latter from 1997 to 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 12, 2023
This is the story of the Brittons and the Jardines, one family owning a shipyard in Glascow, the other working in it. It starts with Queen Victoria's funeral and ends with Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation. The main focus is on Jenny Jardine and Matt Britton through 2 world wars, the general strike and the Depression.
A long large novel full of life and real characters showing how the politics of the world ruined or enhanced lives and the private worlds of people both nourish or impoverish them.
This was a great read. The characters were engaging, their worlds beautifully described. Also the writing style is of the time it was written but the better for it: not trying to be clever, not overly dramatic or ripe but focused on the story to bring it as clearly and simply to the reader as possible. In the same class as Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Goudge.
The only flaw for me was the rushed feeling in the last quarter of the story. But a great read. and thank goodness for the incredibly clear family tree in the front and back of the book.
A long large novel full of life and real characters showing how the politics of the world ruined or enhanced lives and the private worlds of people both nourish or impoverish them.
This was a great read. The characters were engaging, their worlds beautifully described. Also the writing style is of the time it was written but the better for it: not trying to be clever, not overly dramatic or ripe but focused on the story to bring it as clearly and simply to the reader as possible. In the same class as Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Goudge.
The only flaw for me was the rushed feeling in the last quarter of the story. But a great read. and thank goodness for the incredibly clear family tree in the front and back of the book.
May 23, 2013
‘Passing Glory’ covers the life and times of the Britton family from 1901 through to 1953. It’s a big book, one of those that you enjoy chapter by chapter each night as a satisfying bedtime read, but too much to devour in one reading session.
For those interested in history the book covers the trials and tribulations of the Britton’s Clydeside shipyard. And it makes good reading. Because there is a large cast of characters ranging across the Britton family and their workers, all aspects of the shipyard: family politics, government politics, union politics and good old people politics, are recorded in enjoyable detail. The rise of aviation and the inevitable fall of shipping is brought in through one of the Brittons - the black sheep - who develops his own aviation company. And the book details much of the changes in domestic life which interest so many readers.
For those who enjoy a good story as well as good history the characters are a mixed bag of villains and heros, heroines and fools and we do care about what happens to them. Jenny and Matt manage to foil the vindictive cousin in the end and very properly the hero overcomes all.
‘Passing Glory’ was the winner of the RNA Novel of the Year Award and has won excellent reviews. It’s nice to know that, for once, they’re right, and I agree. This is pleasant read and a good book!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews