The Glossy Years: Magazines, Museums and Selective Memoirs

Coleridge is a witty writer . . . reading this book is like sitting next to a sharp but generous-hearted raconteur at dinner—Mail on SundayHas bounding vitality, glorious zest and and an uplifting generosity of spirit. It is always playful, sometimes hilarious – but above all it is wise—Richard Davenport-Hines, Literary ReviewIn these dark days of everlasting Brexit, Nicholas Coleridge's sparkling memoir is a welcome reminder that all is not gloom and doom. Witty, nimble and engaging, it is wonderfully entertaining and a marvellous slice of social history—Jane Ridley, SpectatorA deliciously moreish memoir of the author's glittering career in magazine publishing. Like having a really good gossip over a glass of fizz with Evelyn Waugh.—Allison Pearson, Sunday Telegraph Tittle-tattle, tiffs and titanic egos, this book has them all. A hugely entertaining read by the ultimate insider—A Sunday Times best memoir of 2019Forthright, witty and gossipy . . . a passion for glossy magazines shines through this effervescent memoir —Sunday ExpressA Waugh-like whirlwind of eccentric characters, lavish parties and even a spell in a Sri Lankan jail. It was funny enough to excuse all the name-dropping—Evening Standard, Books of the YearI truly think this is a brilliant book. laughed almost continuously—Charles Moore, The SpectatorBeady and slyly funny, my favourite bit concerns punctuation in the late Betty Kenward's society column. It's that kind of book—India Knight, Sunday TimesGloriously funny, affectionate and well-written, his ear for how other people speak is mischievously spot-on and his optimism is infectious—Daily Mail, Memoirs of the YearWorth every penny for names dropped, inside stories, expertise in how that world worked and, endearingly, how his happy marriage and family have too—Susan Hill, SpectatorThe most entertaining book of the year—Sunday TimesAn entertaining whirlwind—Evening StandardGentle, jolly . . . Blissfully funny . . . One might wish to make people as happy, personally and professionally, as Coleridge has done – and will continue to do with this amusing book—The Sunday TelegraphI adored it. Coleridge has a Waugh-like eye for hilarious social nuance and a Henry Jamesian ear for precision. He is both self-deprecating and shrewd as he regales us with his rollicking ride as editor and tastemaker in the world of British glossy magazines: an irresistible read—Tina BrownThe memoir of a ludicrously well-connected magazine impresario. Whimsical tales of Bob Geldof, William Hague, Princess Diana and George Osborne jostle with recollections of glitzy parties at castles and producing the Eton magazine with Craig Brown. It's gossipy good fun—The Sunday Times Best Memoirs of 2019