Henry ‘Chips’ Channon: The Diaries (Volume 2)

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This second volume of Henry 'Chips' Channon's bestselling diaries spans the aftermath of the Munich Agreement, through the decline of appeasement, and into the early years of the Second World War. It concludes with a hopeful reflection on the fall of Mussolini in July 1943, as Channon muses that "the war must be more than half over." Throughout this period, he serves as a keen observer of significant events, offering reassurance to Neville Chamberlain during a political crisis in May 1940 and engaging in conversation with Winston Churchill while surveying the bombed House of Commons. From his position at the Foreign Office, he documents the war's progression. However, following the departure of his superior, 'Rab' Butler, Channon finds himself distanced from power, leading to a shift in the tone and focus of his diaries. While the war remains a central theme, personal matters increasingly take precedence. He immerses himself in social life, detailing interactions with figures like Noël Coward, Prince Philip, General de Gaulle, and Lord Alfred Douglas. He shares experiences at dinners with European royals and indulges in the gossip surrounding notable personalities. Amidst this, he also chronicles the decline of his marriage and his intense friendship with a young officer on Wavell's staff.