{"product_id":"malice-in-wonderland-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-cecil-beaton-hardcover","title":"Malice in Wonderland: My Adventures in the World of Cecil Beaton - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eHugo Vickers\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe witty and perceptive diaries kept by Cecil Beaton's authorized biographer during his many fascinating encounters with extraordinary--often legendary--characters in his search for the real Cecil Beaton.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHugo Vickers's life took a dramatic turn in 1979 when the legendary Sir Cecil Beaton invited him to be his authorised biographer. The excitement of working with the famous photographer was dashed only days later when Cecil Beaton died. But the journey had begun - Vickers was entrusted with Beaton's papers, diaries and, most importantly, access to his friends and contemporaries. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In \u003ci\u003eMalice in Wonderland\u003c\/i\u003e, Vickers shares excerpts from his personal diaries kept during this period. For five years, Vickers travelled the world and talked to some of the most fascinating and important social and cultural figures of the time, including royalty such as the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, film stars such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Julie Andrews, writers such as Truman Capote, and photographers such as Irving Penn and Horst. And not only Beaton's friends - Vickers sought out the enemies too, notably Irene Selznick. He was taken under the wings of Lady Diana Cooper, Clarissa Avon and Diana Vreeland. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Drawn into Beaton's world and accepted by its members, Vickers the emerging biographer also began his own personal adventure. The outsider became the insider - Beaton's friends became his friends. \u003ci\u003eMalice in Wonderland\u003c\/i\u003e is a fascinating portrait of a now disappeared world, and vividly and sensitively portrays some of its most fascinating characters as we travel with Vickers on his quest.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHugo Vickers is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster, and an acknowledged expert on the British Royal Family. He has written biographies of the Queen Mother, Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, Princess Andrew of Greece and the Duchess of Windsor. His book \u003ci\u003eThe Kiss\u003c\/i\u003e won the 1996 Stern Silver Pen Award for Non-Fiction. His recent bestsellers have included \u003ci\u003eThe Quest For Queen Mary\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Sphinx \u003c\/i\u003e- the life of Gladys, the Duchess of Marlborough.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 x 9.1 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 05, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42161184702599,"sku":"9781643138435","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/9d81c6c4b8415810702ce6f195291fb4.webp?v=1733279036","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/malice-in-wonderland-my-adventures-in-the-world-of-cecil-beaton-hardcover","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}