King's Counsellor: Abdication and War: The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles

Alan "Tommy" Lascelles served four British monarchs as Assistant Private Secretary or Private Secretary from 1935 until 1953. In these important roles, Lascelles would have contact with George V, Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II. He kept a diary from early 1936 (about the time of George V's death) until after WWII in 1946. In these entries, the reader is given fascinating access to the activity around the British Monarch and the actions of Britain's leading political, social and cultural leaders in the period near and during WWII. Because of Britain's wartime alliances, Lascelles also shares his thoughts on FDR and Dwight Eisenhower and the US military leadership during the War. This is a very interesting work; my only regret is that Lascelles stopped the diary in 1946, so we miss the later years of George VI and his early service to Elizabeth II. We do get his unvarnished view of Edward VIII (which was very unfavorable) and his real regard for George VI. Highly recommended for those interested in the inner workings of the British monarchy and the operation of Britian's government during WWII.

After enjoying a second viewing of Peter Morton's brilliantly produced series, The Crown, I still wanted more, so I bought this book/audiobook. I'm so glad I did.Don't miss the audiobook version. It is read by the always delightful, Pip Torrens, who played Tommy Lascelles in The Crown. He reads with such wry amusement in his voice that he manages to convey the enjoyment of life that Lascelles must have felt. An astute observer with strong, and often endearing, opinions, Lascelles writes in the elevated English of the British aristocracy that holds the sharp edge of wit so well. Torrens' spot-on narration allows us the pleasure of luxuriating in that tone.It was no surprise to read that Lascelles was widely considered to be brilliant. Again, Pip Torrens conveys brilliance in The Crown and this audio reading. (How not?) But curiously enough, the book says that Lascelles also had a reputation for a great sense of humor and for lack of formality—virtually the opposite of how he appeared in Peter Morton's version in The Crown. I've been trying to imagine that portrayal differently ever since.If you enjoyed The Crown, this book will only enhance the experience.

This is for the Audible version read by the wonderful Pip Torrens. As a dyed in the wool Anglophile, I love almost everything there is to read about the pre-WWII and after England-- about Churchill, King George VI and the various other characters in the drama that was England in those days. "Tommy" Lascelles diary is a very good read (listen) and Pip Torrens who played Lascelles on "The Crown" did a great job. He read it with some degree of straightforwardness (little drama) but inflected and emphasized things as needed and it was very effective. It was not boring, although toward the end I was saying to myself, "enough with this miserable war already!" And I am sure Lascelles and all concerned felt the same way at the time. I can say it dragged a bit at times, but always came back to interesting and fascinating facts and experiences. I didn't really get much of a. sense of who King George VI was, but being a private secretary, the diarist exercised more than a little bit of discretion and tact. He was a very remarkable man doing an important job, always in the background. I would have liked to have known him.

This book was a bit of a chore to get through. I loved, really loved, Lascelles’s character in “The Crown,” and had been looking so forward to reading this. It ended up being tedious. I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, it’s a detailed diary with letters. I would give this two stars, but I’m feeling generous and going for three. Plus, again, I happen to really like Lascelles. He served four monarchs, and had many qualities that I admire, including love for his wife and children, loyalty to the monarchy, and clarity of mind. Every time I hear of another annoying news story about Meghan and Harry, I’m sure that he’s turning in his grave, although I believe he was cremated, but you get my drift.

I truly enjoyed this diary of Alan Lascalles. This excerps the WW II era. I have read so much about the royal family and the abdication and WW II and it was very interesting reading a bit from his perspective. I have finished an in depth bio of Winston Churchill and Lascalles experiences during WW II with George VI . I obviously would have liked more personal gossip, but he was THE impeccable courtier and circumspect. He was a man of his times, so of course he came accross as sexist and old fashioned, at times. It was an enjoyable read.

The Sir Alan in his diaries is very different from the one portrayed in the series "The Crown". Based on my knowledge and experience from public service, I have no doubt that the man in the diaries is the true man. Unfortunately I was also reminded by how much we have lost. The integrity, courage, service and spirit of humility displayed by Sir Alan, is something that we in the west might have lost forever.

Just wonderful. I wish I had known him. No one will ever write diaries like this again. A real insight into a fascinating life.

One of the best "I was there" books you'll ever read. Incisive, insightful and at times very funny diaries of an important figure of the 20th century. The editing is exceptionally good and the notes are full and informative. Altogether an excellent read.

Sir Alan 'Tommy' Lascelles is one courtier I would have loved to have met and to read his diary entries so well compiled by Rupert Hart Davis was perhaps the next best. Lascelles called a spade a spade, didn't mince his words and above all was a man with a sense of humour. He advised King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. He was a tremendous networked amongst successive Prime Ministers, politicians, journalists, writers and diplomats. He had his finger on the pulse of the real world so much so that when he was asked for advice it was well thought through and graciously accepted. Lascelles was of his time the likes of which don't exist anymore in this electronic age. If dear reader you'd like to know more about working with four sovereigns from George V to our present Queen as well as the philandering of Edward, Prince of Wales - King Edward VIII for less than a year and his subsequent abdication, then I commend this book.

Good read, interesting, gives an excellent background on people and events before and during World War 2. He's tactful about everyone but the Duke of Windsor who he really didn't like. It's about events before 'The Crown'. Sir Alan Lascelles, known as 'Tommy', writes well, but can't do sums. He said 4% death rate for bombing raids wasn't too bad considering the circumstances. What he didn't consider was that this figure was for each individual raid, so if 100 planes started and lost 4, then the remaining 96 went on next raid and lost 4 and a little bit, then 91 went again and lost 4 and a bit more, then 86 planes went and lost …. Over several raids lost half the aeroplanes and sadly the crew

The diaries in the Kindle edition start on 1 September 1939, long after the abdication. Is this a fault of the Kindle edition, or is this book generally being missold?

This book starts in September 1939. There is nothing about the Abdication. The title is extremely misleading( as was the Daily Mail article promoting this book). The buyer beware!!!

Understated but measured entries :dry mostly with sometimes an emotional outburst . A matter of factness in the telling and descriptive too relating to carnage in Europe that brought misery to millions and the British establishment personalities charged with fighting back.They are compelling in their straightforwardness and his penetrating assessment of the Duke of Windsor is stark and unforgiving. Lascelles,a man of his time and class with a shrewd, naked unadorned view of situations and the personalities who he met as secretary and advisor to the King.