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All in One Basket
In her beguiling memoir, Wait for Me! , Deborah Mitford, Duchess of Devonshire (and the youngest of the famously witty brood of writers, agitators, and icons), recounted her eventful life with wit and grace. All in One Basket collects the Duchess of Devonshire’s breezy, occasional writings and provides a disarming look at a life lived with great zest and originality.
All in One Basket combines two earlier collections, Counting My Chickens and Home to Roost , its sequel, which was never published in the United States. In these pages, we hear anecdotes about famous friends from Evelyn Waugh to John F. Kennedy; tales of struggle and success at Chatsworth, England's greatest stately home; and of course the tales of her beloved chickens, which the Duchess began raising as a child for pocket money. In All in One Basket , glamorous recollections happily coexist with practical insights into country life, and the result is a revelatory, intimate portrait of a woman described by The New York Times as a “national treasure.”
All in One Basket combines two earlier collections, Counting My Chickens and Home to Roost , its sequel, which was never published in the United States. In these pages, we hear anecdotes about famous friends from Evelyn Waugh to John F. Kennedy; tales of struggle and success at Chatsworth, England's greatest stately home; and of course the tales of her beloved chickens, which the Duchess began raising as a child for pocket money. In All in One Basket , glamorous recollections happily coexist with practical insights into country life, and the result is a revelatory, intimate portrait of a woman described by The New York Times as a “national treasure.”
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
67 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Mitford
28 books57 followersDeborah Vivien Freeman-Mitford Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, who published under the name of Deborah Mitford, was brought up in Oxfordshire, England. In 1950 her husband, Andrew, the 11th Duke of Devonshire, inherited extensive estates in Yorkshire and Ireland as well as Chatsworth, the family seat in Derbyshire, and Deborah became chatelaine of one of England’s great houses. She is the author of All in One Basket, Wait for Me!, Counting My Chickens and Home to Roost, among other books, and her letters have been collected in The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters and In Tearing Haste: The Correspondence of the Duchess of Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor. Following her husband’s death in 2004, she moved to a village on the Chatsworth estate.
Note: The author's name on her books varies from Duchess of Devonshire (most common), to Deborah Devonshire, Deborah Cavendish and Deborah Mitford.
Note: The author's name on her books varies from Duchess of Devonshire (most common), to Deborah Devonshire, Deborah Cavendish and Deborah Mitford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 15, 2022
An intelligent and witty collection of writings from Debo here. Life, farming, family, death.... It's all covered here.
Well written, a delightful read but let's be honest it's probably not a full 4 star book, but I love Debo so I've rounded up.
Well written, a delightful read but let's be honest it's probably not a full 4 star book, but I love Debo so I've rounded up.
December 16, 2014
I have to point out that I have a connection with Debo, Duchess of Devonshire. During a holiday in Derbyshire we entered our beautiful small white collie in the open class of the Chatsworth Annual Dog Show. She looked at him and said, quite loudly, "We have a blind one here!". News to us and, I suspect, to him. The occasion passed into family history and led many years later, to my receiving a copy of her "All in one basket." Thus I had the pleasure of renewing my brief acquaintance with the Duchess. There is no doubt that you should read it, It is a real hoot in the first half and a more serious hoot in the second. Go, go.....
August 10, 2016
Deborah Vivien Freeman-Mitford Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, is the youngest of the Mitford sisters whose interests and social views were all over the political compass. One sister was a Communist; one sister and her husband were imprisoned during World War II for their fascist views and overtly supporting the Nazis; several other siblings were unofficial supporters of fascist politics; and two others preferred the agrarian life. As a child, the Duchess, was tormented and teased by her older sisters who called her Nine because they thought her intellectual development stopped at that age. Nothing could be further from the truth. For someone who was not formally educated, nor were her sisters, she had a very keen business sense and transformed Chatsworth, one of England's great stately homes, into a lucrative tourist sight which includes an on-site shop that sells the estate's produce. Her interest in agriculture is legendary, especially concerning chickens. And at the age of sixty she embarked on, what proved to be, a very successful writing career with numerous books to her credit.
By marriage and birth she has relations and friends all over England and the world. There was Uncle Harold, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. She reminisces about Joseph Kennedy, his wife and children, when the senior Kennedy was appointed U.S. Ambassador to England, 1938-1940, and the stir caused by Rose Kennedy, as the stylish and slim mother of all those children. The young Deborah remembers dancing with the young J.F.K. and found him to be boring. Not until years later, when both of them had matured did he begin to show his wit and charm. When brother-in-law William, Marquess of Hartington, was killed in action in 1944, four months after marrying Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, Chatsworth passed to Deborah's husband, Andrew.
All in one basket combines two former books, Counting my chickens and Home to roost, in one book. Readers are brought into the daily life, activities, and running of a famous estate. This is the real thing which, in many ways, is far more entertaining, funny and interesting than the television drama, Downton Abbey. Most of the entertainment is due to the Dowager Duchess' unabashed candor and humor. She does not hold back in stories about her sisters, visitors, friendships, family matters, and royal visitors. The only aspects of her life that she skims over are the personal difficulties of dealing with her husband's alcoholism and philandering, which is emblematic of the Duchess keeping calm and carrying on.
Two other recent books by the Dowager Duchess are Wait for me!: memoirs and In tearing haste : letters between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library
By marriage and birth she has relations and friends all over England and the world. There was Uncle Harold, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. She reminisces about Joseph Kennedy, his wife and children, when the senior Kennedy was appointed U.S. Ambassador to England, 1938-1940, and the stir caused by Rose Kennedy, as the stylish and slim mother of all those children. The young Deborah remembers dancing with the young J.F.K. and found him to be boring. Not until years later, when both of them had matured did he begin to show his wit and charm. When brother-in-law William, Marquess of Hartington, was killed in action in 1944, four months after marrying Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, Chatsworth passed to Deborah's husband, Andrew.
All in one basket combines two former books, Counting my chickens and Home to roost, in one book. Readers are brought into the daily life, activities, and running of a famous estate. This is the real thing which, in many ways, is far more entertaining, funny and interesting than the television drama, Downton Abbey. Most of the entertainment is due to the Dowager Duchess' unabashed candor and humor. She does not hold back in stories about her sisters, visitors, friendships, family matters, and royal visitors. The only aspects of her life that she skims over are the personal difficulties of dealing with her husband's alcoholism and philandering, which is emblematic of the Duchess keeping calm and carrying on.
Two other recent books by the Dowager Duchess are Wait for me!: memoirs and In tearing haste : letters between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library
August 15, 2019
Of course I give a book by one of the Mitford sisters 4 stars! How could a family of under educated, poor but upper class girls have all grown up to be such interesting women?
Something in the blood of in their upbringing, or both. Deborah, the youngest grew up to become the Duchess of Devonshire, and saved the stately home Chatsworth from ruin by turning it into a working commercial establishment when death taxes threatened it after her husband inherited it.
"All in One Basket" contains a collection of articles, talks and reminiscences from the latter years of her life.
Something in the blood of in their upbringing, or both. Deborah, the youngest grew up to become the Duchess of Devonshire, and saved the stately home Chatsworth from ruin by turning it into a working commercial establishment when death taxes threatened it after her husband inherited it.
"All in One Basket" contains a collection of articles, talks and reminiscences from the latter years of her life.
November 5, 2011
I read this in a B&B (with paper-thin walls) in Bakewell, the night before visiting Chatsworth.
While I am a huge fan of Mitford's writing, this collection of essays (most of them previously published, and some of them mere snippets) is not representative of her best work. I would recommend "Wait for Me!" -- a more thorough and satisfying memoir in every way. I have a feeling that this book was put out to capitalise on the former's success.
While I am a huge fan of Mitford's writing, this collection of essays (most of them previously published, and some of them mere snippets) is not representative of her best work. I would recommend "Wait for Me!" -- a more thorough and satisfying memoir in every way. I have a feeling that this book was put out to capitalise on the former's success.
June 16, 2025
She writes on many subjects some more interesting than others.
February 21, 2017
Deborah Devonshire has had a long and interesting life, and this is a delightful collection of articles covering the many diverse subjects in which she is interested. There is lots about country life of course, about animals and people and the changing face of rural Britain, and about her beloved Chatsworth. there are articles about people she has known, and events she has witnessed, including very vivid descriptions of the inauguration of President Kennedy, and of his funeral.
There are many memorable passages I could quote, two of my favourites are about reading. Of her own feelings about books, the Dowager Duchess writes:
'I have read very few books and I have minded finishing them so much that I have often vowed not to start another. Coming to the end of some gripping story or reaching the inevitable death of the subject of a biography is like losing a friend whom you have begun to depend upon night and day in a secret liaison with the author. It is no good saying you can read it again. It is never the same the second time.'
This is quite unlike the way I feel about books myself, I can read favourite books again and again and enjoy them just as much, if not more, than the first time. But it is interesting to read her point of view. The other quote is about her father, of whom she says:
'My father's attitude to reading was most sensible. He only ever read one book and that was White Fang. He loved it so much he never read another because nothing could ever be as good. 'Dangerous good book' he used to say, 'no point in trying any more'.
There are many memorable passages I could quote, two of my favourites are about reading. Of her own feelings about books, the Dowager Duchess writes:
'I have read very few books and I have minded finishing them so much that I have often vowed not to start another. Coming to the end of some gripping story or reaching the inevitable death of the subject of a biography is like losing a friend whom you have begun to depend upon night and day in a secret liaison with the author. It is no good saying you can read it again. It is never the same the second time.'
This is quite unlike the way I feel about books myself, I can read favourite books again and again and enjoy them just as much, if not more, than the first time. But it is interesting to read her point of view. The other quote is about her father, of whom she says:
'My father's attitude to reading was most sensible. He only ever read one book and that was White Fang. He loved it so much he never read another because nothing could ever be as good. 'Dangerous good book' he used to say, 'no point in trying any more'.
March 2, 2012
The Mitfords continue to cash in on that famous name, even as the last left enters her 90s. The best bits in this book were about President Kennedy's inaugural and funeral (her husband's brother's wife was President Kennedy's sister). None of the book was badly written - just kind of dull. And everything felt jumbled together, without much explanation. A mixed bag for sure, with much more pips than cherries.
October 20, 2011
This woman has enjoyed (by accident of birth) watching much of 20th century western history first hand. When relating her diary entries, it could be somewhat interesting. Over all, it's so banal as to be mind numbing. How in the world did this book get published? Three hours of my life I'll never get back.
June 27, 2024
All in one basket
Deborah or ‘Debo’ Mitford was the youngest of the Mitford Girls. Hardly educated although taught the basics followed by a series of dispiriting governesses, nevertheless they made their mark. Their father only read one book in his entire life, ‘White Fang’ calling it ‘a dangerously good book’. He never read another book as he felt that it would never be able to measure up. I didn’t know that there had been a brother, Tom, who was killed in Burma at the very end of the 2nd World War.
This is really two books; one called ‘Counting Chickens’ with an introduction by Tom Stoppard and the second is ‘Home To Roost’ in which Alan Bennett writes the intro.
The first one is more a collection of reminiscences and diaries. Life at Chatsworth, the uniform of a country lady which features a good pair of wellingtons, her family and other snippets. But it did feel a bit of a slog.
However, the second one was much more focussed and where she found her feet writing wise. Two of her sisters, Nancy and Jessica, were writers and the writing gene also bit Deborah. This book contains book reviews of gardening related books such as a history of tulips and tulip fever.
Amongst other examples of wit , there is also an entertaining paragraph on having a peat bath ‘with the colour and consistency of a cow pat’ but which resulted in beautifully smooth skin. Also ‘Auction Catalogues’ and their descriptions of the paintings and their subjects made me smile. But the real heart of the book for me was the Mitford family connection with the Kennedys; the first meeting with the clan on their arrival in London in 1938, JFK’s inauguration in 1961 and then his funeral in 1963. The reporting of the latter was vivid and conveyed the shock and horror of it all. Even sadder was the description of Robert Kennedy involved in it all and whose fate was to be the same in 1968. One of the Kennedy girls, Kathleen, is buried on the Chatsworth estate.
The writing really begins to soar when she describes the landscape of Derbyshire and the Peak District as her affection for the county really shines through. There was also lively writing, astute observations and a wide range of subjects which made the second book much more entertaining. 4 stars for the second book.
Deborah or ‘Debo’ Mitford was the youngest of the Mitford Girls. Hardly educated although taught the basics followed by a series of dispiriting governesses, nevertheless they made their mark. Their father only read one book in his entire life, ‘White Fang’ calling it ‘a dangerously good book’. He never read another book as he felt that it would never be able to measure up. I didn’t know that there had been a brother, Tom, who was killed in Burma at the very end of the 2nd World War.
This is really two books; one called ‘Counting Chickens’ with an introduction by Tom Stoppard and the second is ‘Home To Roost’ in which Alan Bennett writes the intro.
The first one is more a collection of reminiscences and diaries. Life at Chatsworth, the uniform of a country lady which features a good pair of wellingtons, her family and other snippets. But it did feel a bit of a slog.
However, the second one was much more focussed and where she found her feet writing wise. Two of her sisters, Nancy and Jessica, were writers and the writing gene also bit Deborah. This book contains book reviews of gardening related books such as a history of tulips and tulip fever.
Amongst other examples of wit , there is also an entertaining paragraph on having a peat bath ‘with the colour and consistency of a cow pat’ but which resulted in beautifully smooth skin. Also ‘Auction Catalogues’ and their descriptions of the paintings and their subjects made me smile. But the real heart of the book for me was the Mitford family connection with the Kennedys; the first meeting with the clan on their arrival in London in 1938, JFK’s inauguration in 1961 and then his funeral in 1963. The reporting of the latter was vivid and conveyed the shock and horror of it all. Even sadder was the description of Robert Kennedy involved in it all and whose fate was to be the same in 1968. One of the Kennedy girls, Kathleen, is buried on the Chatsworth estate.
The writing really begins to soar when she describes the landscape of Derbyshire and the Peak District as her affection for the county really shines through. There was also lively writing, astute observations and a wide range of subjects which made the second book much more entertaining. 4 stars for the second book.
September 17, 2020
This is a collection of articles, letters, and essays by the Duchess of Devonshire, the youngest sister of the Mitford clan. She writes about encounters with well known figures as well as domestic and agrarian scenes. The Duchess discusses some of the challenges of operating a historic home and the challenges of maintenance and expense. She also tells stories of her chickens and opines on the decline of the quality of food with the increase of mass production and factory farms. On books and writing, she spins a clever essay about her top 10 books, not actually reaching the full number, but providing an entertaining read. As with most collections, there is some unevenness and some of the coverage loses its charm with the passage of time. Overall, it was an interesting glimpse into her life and times.
Read
August 28, 2022My post-bar brain was exceptionally delicate so this collection of quite short essays and observations was all it could handle. I enjoyed reading this -- Debo had a natural style that goes down very easily and makes one think interesting things about literary families, genetics, etc. While I wasn't always too keen on her plummy rigidity on certain matters (and think it might put off other readers all together), it was what I needed at the time.
November 9, 2017
Tom Stoppard introduces the first book in this two-book volume and Alan Bennett introduces the second -- reason enough to dip into these very short essays by the youngest, and last, of the Mitford sisters. Opinionated and eclectic, it includes a piece on tiaras. Really, who could resist?
February 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great book that I could put down and pick back up when I had a spare moment. I loved the down to earth spirit and witty humor of the author and I greatly enjoyed the sections of the chickens.
October 6, 2017
Stories about different aspects of the life of Jessica Mitford, Duchess of Devonshire.
December 22, 2018
Just couldnt get into this....
December 8, 2019
Parts of this are witty, but it is colored by extreme conservative ideology. The ideology overwhelms any nice turns of phrase, and the volume lacks warmth.
January 23, 2023
Pleasant enough but confirms my preference for not reading a book of short stories. Some were humerous and interesting enough but generally not my thing.
February 17, 2023
It was humorous and made me chuckle a few times.
May 1, 2025
A lovely book to dip into and read small entertaining rambles on a wide variety of unrelated topics with an occasional rant about Spelling, punctation or new meanings for familiar words.
February 22, 2014
Charming in an “I’m a Duchess but I try to act like normal people, but it’s hard, you know, because I’m a Duchess” kind of way. Perhaps that’s a little unfair. This book brings together two of her previously published books of brief essays, book reviews, and speeches. They are immensely fun, great light entertainment, and they shine a light on the British aristocracy in a way you wouldn’t get otherwise.
She brings a lot to the table: she is, of course, one of the Mitford sisters; her brother-in-law was the leading Nazi in England before WWII (wonderfully satirized in Jeeves and Wooster); she was related to JFK and attended both the inaugural and the funeral as a member of the family; she was related in a similar way to Fred Astaire; she loves chickens; she loves 1950s Dior but buys most of her clothes at agricultural shows; thinks primogeniture saved England; and knows a lot about tiaras. It’s full of fun facts: did you know that great English country homes were always open to the public, for free, from the time they were first built? When some Lord somebody started charging an entrance fee in the 1880s, it was a scandal.
It’s all told with warmth, openness, and a disarming directness. The essays are brief and it’s an excellent book to leave on an end table for whenever you have a free moment, want a quick break, or want to relax with a cup of tea. If you like the notion of quirky English country life or the idea of quirky English aristocrats or enjoy quirky English cozy mysteries or if you can’t miss an episode of “Masterpiece,” I think you’ll have a wonderful time reading it.
She brings a lot to the table: she is, of course, one of the Mitford sisters; her brother-in-law was the leading Nazi in England before WWII (wonderfully satirized in Jeeves and Wooster); she was related to JFK and attended both the inaugural and the funeral as a member of the family; she was related in a similar way to Fred Astaire; she loves chickens; she loves 1950s Dior but buys most of her clothes at agricultural shows; thinks primogeniture saved England; and knows a lot about tiaras. It’s full of fun facts: did you know that great English country homes were always open to the public, for free, from the time they were first built? When some Lord somebody started charging an entrance fee in the 1880s, it was a scandal.
It’s all told with warmth, openness, and a disarming directness. The essays are brief and it’s an excellent book to leave on an end table for whenever you have a free moment, want a quick break, or want to relax with a cup of tea. If you like the notion of quirky English country life or the idea of quirky English aristocrats or enjoy quirky English cozy mysteries or if you can’t miss an episode of “Masterpiece,” I think you’ll have a wonderful time reading it.
March 31, 2013
I'm an unashamed fan of Debo Devonshire, and this book definitely didn't disappoint. I'd read some of the stories before, in other works, and I don't always agree with her opinions, but her insights are always fascinating. This book comprises two of her earlier collections, along with three pieces which haven't been collected together before. Delightful illustrations by the author's son-in-law, Will Topley, complement the humour in the stories perfectly. Where else but Windsor Castle could one leave a priceless tiara under a seat all evening and still find it there at the end of the dance? Then again, who would dare steal a tiara from the woman who once played the leading role in a WI play wearing the full set of the Devonshire Diamonds?
It's not all posh frocks and jewels, however. As promised by the titles of the colected works, we also get stories of chickens, reviews of books about chickens, and tales of adventures at agricultural shows. Not to mention the difficulties of travelling from the Scottish Islands to Oxford in wartime on a third class railway ticket (with a goat! which had to be milked in the First Class Waiting Room!). Recommended for everyone else who loves Great British Eccentrics.
It's not all posh frocks and jewels, however. As promised by the titles of the colected works, we also get stories of chickens, reviews of books about chickens, and tales of adventures at agricultural shows. Not to mention the difficulties of travelling from the Scottish Islands to Oxford in wartime on a third class railway ticket (with a goat! which had to be milked in the First Class Waiting Room!). Recommended for everyone else who loves Great British Eccentrics.
November 7, 2014
Hhm. I love reading about the Mitford sisters. I enjoyed reading Debo's earlier book 'Wait for me' so I thought I'd enjoy this too. Not so.
Firstly, this isn't a novel, or a memoir. It's an assortment of one or two page thoughts, compiled into two separate books and put together here in one volume. I didn't get very far, but mostly the ideas seemed to centre around the countryside, animals and farming. No problem there, except that I disagreed with all her ideas.
For me, it's one thing to read about the highly privileged life of debutants and upper classes in the early 20th century. It's completely another to hear their imposing views in the modern day. I don't wish to know why fox hunting is right, but bird of prey protection is wrong. Or why sex education in schools is bad and lessons on fenestration should be given instead. Really? I had to stop reading.
I'm beginning to see why Nancy referred to her as 'Nine' and why Decca had such disdain for her.
Deborah Devonshire did a lot of worthwhile work in her lifetime, but ultimately, this book reminds me that I don't agree with upper class privilege in the 21st century.
RIP Debo, but please let your era of thinking die with you.
Firstly, this isn't a novel, or a memoir. It's an assortment of one or two page thoughts, compiled into two separate books and put together here in one volume. I didn't get very far, but mostly the ideas seemed to centre around the countryside, animals and farming. No problem there, except that I disagreed with all her ideas.
For me, it's one thing to read about the highly privileged life of debutants and upper classes in the early 20th century. It's completely another to hear their imposing views in the modern day. I don't wish to know why fox hunting is right, but bird of prey protection is wrong. Or why sex education in schools is bad and lessons on fenestration should be given instead. Really? I had to stop reading.
I'm beginning to see why Nancy referred to her as 'Nine' and why Decca had such disdain for her.
Deborah Devonshire did a lot of worthwhile work in her lifetime, but ultimately, this book reminds me that I don't agree with upper class privilege in the 21st century.
RIP Debo, but please let your era of thinking die with you.
May 7, 2013
This might be the most witty and wonderful books I've ever read! What a treat! If Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess Violet existed in the 21st Century and started raising chickens - then her name would surely be Deborah Mitford. And she would be Countess of Devonshire. This was a book given to me by a friend, and at first I couldn't see why she would possibly think it was something I would enjoy. Rarely do I laugh out loud while reading - but I could hardly constrain myself reading the Countess' little snippets. Her argument that sex ed in schools should be replaced with courses on proper window installation had me in tears. And just the otherworldliness of living among her class of society - who excuses themselves to go to the loo mid-dinner?! Scandalous! This was such a gem, I can only imagine what a hoot the countess must be in real life!
July 9, 2013
I was thoroughly and utterly charmed by Debo Devonshire and her collection of essays. Some reviewers have said it was rambling or dull; I happen to agree and I mean those things in the best possible way. Her stories are rambling - she's a Mitford and a duchess, and has known and befriended people from the Kennedys to prime ministers to local farmers to the ladies of the local Women's Institute, and writing about all that does tend to get a bit rambling. And yes, chickens may be a little mundane but her keen wit and perceptive eye made her anecdotes about her chickens - and other "dull" things like being an old woman (which made me laugh out loud) - very droll. She has lived a long, and exceedingly interesting life which makes this a delightful read.
August 25, 2014
I have read every book written by Deborah Devonshire and she is a strong character in my mind. Her words so often ring a bell of recognition or inspiration. And always with humour. This book discusses the role of country houses in Britain, life in Derbyshire and a very poignant and close account of JFK. I leave each of her books feeling a little wiser.
August 24, 2016
I enjoyed the ease with which I could pick up this book and read a few stories, put it down, and pick it up again even a week or so later and not be missing anything. I liked the fact that some of the things the reader might not be familiar with were noted (Prime Ministers, etc.) and enjoyed reading this after I had come back from visiting Chatsworth.
dnf
July 15, 2024I probably read around half of this. I totally enjoyed what I read, but I'm in a different place right now and don't feel the need to finish it. I expect it will find itself at the school fair next month.
DNF 3 Feb 2016
DNF 3 Feb 2016
December 6, 2011
A compilation of two earlier books. A portrait of a world that is immediately familiar from literature, but incredibly alien as well. And lots of stuff about chickens!
April 3, 2012
I just love her stories. I love her reflections on life. This collection of stories and thoughts is completely whimsical and entertaining. I think I will be quoting her for life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews