The fascinating diaries of Alan Don, Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury and perceptive eyewitness to the historic events of the 1930s and 40s - including the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936, the coronation of George VI in 1937, the rise of Hitler and the war with Germany of 1939-45.
Alan Don KCVO (1885-1966) was Chaplain and secretary to Cosmo Lang,
Archbishop of Canterbury, from 1931 to 1941, Chaplain to the
Speaker of the House of Commons from 1936 to 1946 and Dean of
Westminster from 1946 to 1959. He was also a Chaplain to George V,
Edward VIII, George VI and Elizabeth II.
Robert Beaken is an Anglican priest and historian. His previous
books include Following Christ (2020), The Church of England and
the Home Front 1914-1918 (2015), Cosmo Lang, Archbishop in War and
Crisis (2012) and Beginning to Preach (2004). He holds a PhD from
King's College London, and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical
Society and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
‘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.
*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".
*Anglo Catholic History Society*
Fascinating.
*Westminster Abbey Review*
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