Faithful Witness
The Confidential Diaries of Alan Don, Chaplain to the King, the Archbishop and the Speaker, 1931-1946
Faithful Witness
The Confidential Diaries of Alan Don, Chaplain to the King, the Archbishop and the Speaker, 1931-1946
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Hardback
£30.00
Publisher: SPCK Publishing
ISBN: 9780281083985
Number of Pages: 384
Published: 30/09/2020
Width: 15.6 cm
Height: 23.4 cm
In May 1931, Alan Don travelled from Dundee to Lambeth Palace to become Chaplain to Archbishop Cosmo Lang. During that journey he began a diary. He kept it faithfully for the next fifteen years, during which he also became Chaplain to the King and to the Speaker of the House of Commons. These positions afforded him a ringside view of some of the most momentous events in both British and world history - including the abdication of Edward VIII, the coronation of George VI, the rise of Hitler and the trauma of the Second World War.
Now, for the first time, these fascinating diaries are laid open. They offer a wealth of detailed insight into the ecclesiastical, royal and parliamentary affairs of Britain and her elite during two historically significant decades. They also open a window on the history of the Church of England and its role in the social, political and military upheavals of the 1930s and 40s.
Anyone who wants to know more about how Great Britain survived those turbulent times, will be amply rewarded by this engaging, perceptive and revealing eye-witness account.
'In the recent parade of diaries, unbelievable interviews, and extraordinary political commentaries, Alan Don's diaries shine out. . . These were years of the Depression, the rise of Nazi Germany, the Abdication, the Coronation of George VI, the Munich crisis, the Second World War and the London Blitz, and finally victory. . . You will enjoy reading these beautifully written diaries because of the unique insight into these historical events, but also because of Don's remarkable analysis of the personalities. . . There are wonderful insights throughout.' * Church Times * I can't express how much I have been enjoying The Confidential Diaries of Alan Don, who was for a decade from 1931 chaplain and secretary to the strange Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Lang . . . The 500-page diaries have been brilliantly reduced from 1,764 closely written pages by Robert Beaken, who wrote a marvellous biography of Lang in 2012. -- Christopher Howse * The Telegraph * 'Robert Beaken has done a magnificent job of presenting these journals and bringing to life again a cast of remarkable figures during an eventful and traumatic era. . . A really valuable contribution to the history of twentieth century Britain.' * Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge * 'Alan Don's diaries are a revelation, full of perceptive and lively comment on the leaders of the Church of England and aspects of public and social life during the difficult years of the 1930s and 1940s.' * Philip Williamson, Professor of Modern British History, Durham University * 'These wonderful diaries add hugely to our understanding of the centrality of the Church in the British state in the run up to global conflict.' * Mark Chapman, Professor of the History of Modern Theology, University of Oxford * 'The entries on the Second World War are especially vivid and compelling.' * Matthew Grimley, Associate Professor of Modern History, Merton College, Oxford * 'An essential resource for researchers of these turbulent years, but also a delight for any reader to dip into.' * Paul Avis, Honorary Professor, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University * Certainly a volume that will give you endless delight . . . this is a "must buy". -- Perry Butler * Anglo Catholic History Society * Fascinating. * Westminster Abbey Review *
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