The Years Between: 1939-44

Cecil Beaton's Diaries #2

by Cecil Beaton

A classic memoir of the twentieth century, spanning through the Second World War, the Golden Age of Hollywood and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Cecil Beaton (1904 –1980) was an English fashion, portrait and war photographer, painter, diarist and Academy Award–winning stage and costume designer.

This second volume spans most of the Second World War from 1939-44. An official photographer for the Ministry of Information, Beaton was flown all over the globe to report back to London, as well as being commissioned to photograph Winston Churchill, the Queen, bomb-damaged London and the RAF at work.

With unique access to politicians, admirals, air marshals, socialites and those working on the homefront, Beaton’s memoir tells us more about the English at war than many volumes of officers’ memoirs have been able to.

'there is some fascinating stuff in this volume … his accounts of India and China are superb' - The Observer

‘no page of his book is without its flash of beauty, fun or understanding’ – Sunday Times

'Wise, witty and perceptive' - New York Herald Tribune

‘Fascinating and well-written, and deserves to be read as an insight into a period and of someone who was very much part of it’ – Western Mail

‘One of the unassailables of our time’ – Daily Mail

Genres: Memoir

444 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

People noted sets and costumes of British photographer, diarist, and theatrical designer Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton for My Fair Lady on stage in 1956 and on film in 1964.

Cecil Beaton first styled his sisters decadently. His unique flair for elegance and fantasy led him to the most successful and influential portrait and fashion of the 20th century. From Adolf de Meyer, baron, and Edward Jean Steichen as sources of inspiration, he nevertheless developed all his own style. He worked for Vogue for more than a quarter-century and also as court official to the royal family in 1937. A constant innovator, Beaton worked for five decades to captivate some figures of his time from Edith Sitwell to the Rolling Stones, Greta Garbo, Jean Cocteau, and Marilyn Monroe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_B...

Reviews

[Wendy DeWachter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these memoirs, this one deals with the Hollywood set, the peers in England, all the fabulous, famous, infamous, as well as the unknown people in a very honest and frank way. The good and bad is shared. Lots of detailed writing on interior design and decoration too. It's interesting to see the tastes change in fashion and decor through the eras of these memoirs, how the peoples tastes change, not just with what is popular but as they mature. Some good fashion and theatre insights as well.

[Ms Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecil Beaton is a brilliant companion and his description of his WWII experiences are so honest and engaging. He begins the war in London during the Blitz but later visits Burma, India and China as part of his work for the Ministry of Information. I loved all his writing about travel especially air travel, and he does not leave out comments on important matters such as food and toilets. Beaton might be one of the best best travel writers I have ever read.

[Aarón · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one but oh god how I love Cecil, he knows the right things and likes the right things. He’s such an idol and an icon to me.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous book. This one covers the WWII years where Beaton travelled taking pictures important people in other countries. It had some interest as a travelogue, but in most part I read old diaries for the gossip which this volume largely lacked.