AUTHOR

Sonia Purnell

Biographies & Memoirs | Politics & Social Sciences | Children's Audiobooks
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Sonia Purnell is the New York Times bestselling biographer, journalist and public speaker whose new book is Kingmaker: Pamela Churchill Harriman’s astonishing life of seduction, intrigue & power. Branded a “triumph” by William Boyd, chosen as a Must Read by Town & Country and Harpers’ magazines and a book of the month by Apple Books, Kingmaker is one of the most anticipated books this autumn for, among others, Hatchards and the Guardian. It combines top-level geopolitics during WWII and the Cold War with fashion, fast cars, fabulous palaces and the erotic adventures of the “seductress of the century”. Details of the forthcoming events on Kingmaker can be found on Sonia's website. Her previous book 'A Woman of No Importance' about the heroic American one-legged spy Virginia Hall was a major bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic. Acclaimed as 'one of the most breath-taking stories yet told of female courage behind enemy lines', it was optioned by two major Hollywood directors. As The Economist noted, 'As tales of wartime derring-do go, it would be hard to beat' and Sonia won the Plutarch Prize for Best Biography in 2020. The bestselling First Lady: the Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill also received fulsome praise on both sides of the Atlantic and was shortlisted for the Plutarch prize. Critics hailed it as 'eye-opening', 'scrupulous' 'enthralling' and 'full of surprises' and First Lady has been credited with changing attitudes to Clementine and her on-screen portrayal including in the TV series, The Crown. Sonia's first work 'Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition' was long-listed for the Orwell prize for best political writing and was variously described as 'brilliant' 'rollicking' and 'devastating' - and changed the national debate about one of Britain’s most controversial public figures, Boris Johnson. Sonia has now sold a million books and is translated into 23 languages. A distinguished journalist, broadcaster, podcaster and commentator, she lives in London with her husband.
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A Woman of No Importance

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The Best Fiction Podcasts for Listeners Who Love a Good Story

You can’t beat a good story. Luckily, humans are great at storytelling, and the best fiction podcasts are all the proof that the modern listener requires. Get the popcorn ready; it’s storytime.

Featured Article: The Best Fiction Podcasts for Listeners Who Love a Good Story

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  • Kingmaker cover art

    • Kingmaker

    • Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue
    • Written by: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Louise Brealey
    • Length: 16 hrs and 58 mins
    • Release date: 2024-09-17
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 1 rating

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  • A Woman of No Importance cover art

    Price: $26.22 or 1 Credit

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  • Clementine cover art

    • Clementine

    • The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill
    • Written by: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Susan Lyons
    • Length: 17 hrs and 33 mins
    • Release date: 2015-10-27
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

    Price: $46.30 or 1 Credit

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  • La femme de l'ombre cover art

    • La femme de l'ombre

    • Les vies secrètes de Virginia Hall, l'ennemie no1 de la Gestapo
    • Written by: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Alysson Paradis
    • Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
    • Release date: 2021-12-09
    • Language: French
    • 5 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

    Price: $34.82 or 1 Credit

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  • Agent Most Wanted cover art

    • Agent Most Wanted

    • The Never-Before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous Spy of World War II
    • Written by: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt
    • Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 2022-08-09
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1 rating

    Price: $20.98 or 1 Credit

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  • First Lady cover art

    • First Lady

    • The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill
    • Written by: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
    • Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins
    • Release date: 2016-07-06
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1 rating

    Price: $32.00 or 1 Credit

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  • Una mujer sin importancia cover art

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