Who's In, Who's Out: The Journals of Kenneth Rose: Volume One 1944-1979

The Journals of Kenneth Rose #1

by Kenneth Rose, Richard Thorpe (Editor)

'The most detailed, amusing and accurate account ever of the post-war world of the English Establishment' William Shawcross, Daily Telegraph'Extremely entertaining' Jane Ridley, Literary ReviewKenneth Rose was one of the most astute observers of the establishment for over seventy years. The wry and amusing journals of the royal biographer and historian made objective observation a sculpted craft. His impeccable social placement located him within the beating heart of the national elite for decades. He was capable of writing substantial history, such as his priceless material on the abdication crisis from conversations with both the Duke of Windsor and the Queen Mother. Yet he maintained sufficient distance to achieve impartial documentation while working among political, clerical, military, literary and aristocratic circles. Relentless observation and a self-confessed difficulty 'to let a good story pass me by' made Rose a legendary social commentator, while his impressive breadth of interests was underpinned by tremendous respect for the subjects of his enquiry. Brilliantly equipped as Rose was to witness, detail and report, the first volume of his journals vividly portrays some of the most important events and people of the last century, from the bombing of London during the Second World War to the election of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first woman Prime Minister, in 1979.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

878 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2018

About the author

Kenneth Vivian Rose was a longtime biographer and newspaper columnist. Growing up in Yorkshire, he was educated at New College Oxford, with his time there interrupted by service in the Welsh Guards during the Second World War. After a period teaching history at Eton, he began writing for the Daily Telegraph in 1952 and started his longstanding "Albany at Large" column in 1961. He also wrote several works of nonfiction, most notably an award-winning biography of King George V that was published in 1983.

Reviews

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of British royalty, Prime Ministers and the wider political and cultural elite in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Kenneth Rose was a journalist and royal biographer with a wide circle of well connected friends and a memory for interesting anecdotes. I especially enjoyed his conversations with and about royalty who are little known today such as Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone. Rose also travels widely and interviews Prince Rainier of Monaco, King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Olav of Norway and King Constantine of Greece. Once Rose begins researching his book about King George V, the diaries resemble James Pope-Hennessey's The Quest for Queen Mary in his efforts to gather material about a historical figure who was still within living memory. I look forward to reading the next volume of the diaries.

[Robert Prentice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had only vague knowledge of Kenneth Rose from his excellent and well-researched biography of King George V, which I read many years ago.
These diaries are such a revelation for one is immediately struck by the diversity and scope of the matters covered in the entries, including politics, religion, education, opera, aristocracy, royalty and the arts. Whereas a less rounded individual might come unstuck in covering such a range of subjects, Mr Rose succeeds in making use of this wonderful 'cocktail' to grab the reader's attention, as he deftly flits from writing of a night at the Royal Opera House (or a roistering lunch with the Queen Mother) to then suddenly switch to describing a serious and insightful encounter with politicians such as Harold Macmillan and Harold Wilson. Furthermore, although the diarist is generally kind and generous in his observations, he is also not afraid to dab a little acid across the pages now and again (Ted Heath being a notable target). How is Mr Rose able to maintain a mastery over this diverse range of reminisces (such that he was eventually referred to as a 'chronicler extraordinaire')? The answer is firstly due to his background: Rose was well-educated (he was educated privately at Repton before 'going up' to New College, Oxford where was a scholar. A period as an officer in the Welsh Guards during World War II was quickly followed by a spell as a 'beak' at Eton. Kenneth then joined the editorial staff at the Daily Telegraph, where he wrote the influential Albany column. Secondly, Mr Rose had the ability to reach out and charm others. His approach, although gentle, also turned out to be amazingly successful and there can be few diarists who have developed and continued to nurture such a large and varied network of contacts, including politicians, educationalists, archbishops, generals and members of the aristocracy. Kenneth also had first class connections among the royalty of Europe: He was a close friend of Prince Edward, the current Duke of Kent, as well as of his mother Princess Marina. Readers learn that King Constantine of the Hellenes sought him out during the early years of his reign and consulted him regularly following his journey into exile in Italy in December 1967.
I would recommend this wonderful collection unhesitatingly. Kenneth Rose

[Richard Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful way to pass winter days.

I found this a most enjoyable book. It’s well and imaginatively edited and rattles along with hardly a dull moment. Kenneth Rose was a remarkable man who seemed able to combine a fairly cold eye for faults and weaknesses with an ability to get on with pretty well everyone he met. It’s a book that, for me at least, cannot be read with every word taken on; it is something that can be skimmed; that can be galloped through but it will bear re-reading. I can happily recommend to both the general reader and to those who are interested in the period after the war and up to the 1979 Conservative Government.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this not knowing who Kenneth Rose was (I seem to have a weakness for British diarists). It is quite entertaining. Rose knew a lot of people, but it never feels like he's name dropping or being gossipy. One of the interesting things about reading old journals is seeing how opinions have changed over time. Here Churchill is a flawed man, but Rose rightly predicts all that will be remembered in the end is Churchill's role in WWII. I also found it amusing when he criticizes the published diaries of others. Did he ever wonder how his own efforts would be viewed after publication?

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 3 out of 5]

It a very interesting book that explains very well the political and social life of the post war years in England.

The author is very generous with the people in general and understands their weaknesses.

He had access to most of the big shots of the time and they were all very honest with him. Very impressive the fact that he had several meetings with King Juan Carlos I , before and after becoming King of Spain.

The only drawback, for a non english, is that it is a bit too long and some of the names and facts

mentioned in the book are completely unknown for us.

[Lcitera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure enjoyment. The edited ALBANY newspaper columns discussing politics, tittle tattle, royals, books, arts. An excellent read for Anglophiles who enjoy a chronological history of the era.