The ultra-rich “society hostess” was a phenomenon which developed in London and New York between the two world wars.
This delightful book by prolific journalist and author Sian Evans tells the story of these formidable and intelligent women, who, by means of lavish entertaining, sought influence and power over leading politicians and famous people in the creative arts.
Three of the hostesses – Nancy Astor, Emerald Cunard and Laura Corrigan – were American in origin.
In 1919, the eccentric and outspoken Nancy, who was a staunch teetotaller and campaigner against drink, became the first-ever woman MP at Westminster.
Emerald Cunard’s expensive clothes and jewels failed to compensate for her lack of looks, but her outrageous wit and charm made up for it.
The three British-born hostesses were Lady Sybil Colefax, who backed the wrong horse in the 1936 Abdication Crisis, and paid a bitter price socially for her error of judgement.
The other two were Lady Edith Londonderry and Mrs Ronnie Greville – a close friend of King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth.
This book is crammed with fascinating anecdotes about people enjoying a privileged lifestyle, which would be changed permanently by World War II.
Published by Two Roads