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Once a Gentleman
In the volatile era of the two world wars, Claus von Hardenberg, a titled but poor German, uncovers the secrets of his wealthy English cousins, a finding that alters his perceptions of history, society, and love forever
469 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 1987
About the author
Donald James
54 books17 followersDonald James (born Donald James Wheal) was a British television writer, novelist and non-fiction writer.
Educated at Sloane Grammar School and Pembroke College, Cambridge (where he read history), James completed his National Service in the Parachute Regiment before returning to London to work as a supply teacher.
He was the author of the best-selling novels Vadim, Monstrum, The Fortune Teller and The Fall of the Russian Empire, as well as non-fiction books such as The Penguin Dictionary of the Third Reich. He wrote under a number of pseudonyms, notably Thomas Dresden and James Barwick (originally in collaboration with fellow writer Tony Barwick, another long-term contributor to the various television productions of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their company, AP Films/Century 21).
James's career as a scriptwriter included work on TV series such as The Adventurer, The Avengers, The Champions, Department S, Joe 90, Mission: Impossible, The Persuaders!, The Protectors, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Saint, The Secret Service, Space: 1999, Terrahawks and UFO. He wrote for a total of 22 titles, including the Century 21 film Doppelgänger, and acted in small three roles between 1961 and 1962.
After spending periods in France and Ireland, he returned to London. His autobiographical account of London life during World War II, World's End, was published in 2005. A second volume of memoirs, White City, was published in March 2007.
James died in London on 24 April 2008. Married three times and divorced once, he is survived by twin daughters
Educated at Sloane Grammar School and Pembroke College, Cambridge (where he read history), James completed his National Service in the Parachute Regiment before returning to London to work as a supply teacher.
He was the author of the best-selling novels Vadim, Monstrum, The Fortune Teller and The Fall of the Russian Empire, as well as non-fiction books such as The Penguin Dictionary of the Third Reich. He wrote under a number of pseudonyms, notably Thomas Dresden and James Barwick (originally in collaboration with fellow writer Tony Barwick, another long-term contributor to the various television productions of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their company, AP Films/Century 21).
James's career as a scriptwriter included work on TV series such as The Adventurer, The Avengers, The Champions, Department S, Joe 90, Mission: Impossible, The Persuaders!, The Protectors, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Saint, The Secret Service, Space: 1999, Terrahawks and UFO. He wrote for a total of 22 titles, including the Century 21 film Doppelgänger, and acted in small three roles between 1961 and 1962.
After spending periods in France and Ireland, he returned to London. His autobiographical account of London life during World War II, World's End, was published in 2005. A second volume of memoirs, White City, was published in March 2007.
James died in London on 24 April 2008. Married three times and divorced once, he is survived by twin daughters
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 24, 2023
An enjoyable historical novel, one of the best reads in years
September 30, 2015
A young group of men at Cambridge, the Corinthians, who seemingly have it all; the brilliance and the decadence that is the culmination of the British Empire. When World War I comes everything is stripped away and through their lives, we are exposed to the ugliness of an aristocracy that knew no bounds.
The characters are full and rich in texture and we follow them through the war, the depression, the rise of National Socialism to Kenya where they continue to live in excess, without adapting to baser concerns of the 20th Century.
There is romance, war, hedonism and beauty in this book. It kept me reading and thinking until the end. Excellent!
The characters are full and rich in texture and we follow them through the war, the depression, the rise of National Socialism to Kenya where they continue to live in excess, without adapting to baser concerns of the 20th Century.
There is romance, war, hedonism and beauty in this book. It kept me reading and thinking until the end. Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews