The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939-1955 - Tapa dura

'one of the best resources for the war and for government between 1939 and 1955...This edition contains new material added by the diarist along with the excellent editorial matter from the original publication. it is good to have this remarkable, and thoroughly enjoyable diary once again in publication.' (CONTEMPORARY REVIEW )

At the outset of the Second World War, John Colville, a young diplomat, was seconded from the foreign office to Number 10 Downing Street. For nine of the next sixteen years, he served three prime ministers - briefly Neville Chamberlain and Clement Attlee - but for much of that time as Private Secretary to Winston Churchill. During those momentous years Colville kept a diary, though this was forbidden by wartime regulations, locking it nightly into his desk at Number 10. Colville seldom left Churchill's side and the insights and observations he records paint an invaluable portrait of the nation's most famous leader both in times of war and peace. Transcribed and edited by Colville before his death, this new edition adds material from WWII not in the original hardback.