# Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue - Paperback

[**Report copyright infringement**](https://reportcopyrightinfringement.com/)

by **Sonia Purnell** (Author)

**"A thorough account of Harriman's rise which also manages to be a brisk, twisty read ... riveting and revelatory." --_The New Yorker_**

**"Rigorous but rollicking." --_The New York Times_**  
**  
Named a BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR by _The New Yorker_, Apple Books, _The Economist_, _Politico_, _Town & Country_, _The Guardian, Financial Times_, The _Spectator_, _The Telegraph_, _The Oldie_, _Irish Examiner_, _Mail on Sunday_, _Daily Express_, _London Standard_, and _The Times Literary Supplement_ and a Must-Read Book of Fall 2024 by _People Magazine  
_  
A _Los Angeles Times_ Bestseller**  
**  
From the _New York Times_ bestselling and award-winning author of A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, an electrifying re-examination of one of the 20th century's greatest unsung power players**

When Pamela Churchill Harriman died in 1997, the obituaries that followed were predictably scathing - and many were downright sexist. Written off as a mere courtesan and social climber, her true legacy was overshadowed by a glamorous social life and her infamous erotic adventures. Much of what she did behind the scenes - on both sides of the Atlantic - remained invisible and secret. That is, until now: with a wealth of fresh research, interviews and newly discovered sources, Sonia Purnell unveils for the first time the full, spectacular story of how she left an indelible mark on the world today.

At age 20 Churchill's beloved daughter-in-law became a "secret weapon" during World War II, strategically wining, dining, and seducing diplomats and generals to help win over American sentiment (and secrets) to the British cause against Hitler. After the war, she helped to transform Fiat heir Gianni Agnelli into Italy's 'uncrowned king' on the international stage and after moving to the US brought a struggling Democratic party back to life, hand-picking Bill Clinton from obscurity and vaulting him to the presidency.

Picked as Ambassador to France, she deployed her legendary subtle powers to charm world leaders and help efforts to bring peace to Bosnia, playing her part in what was arguably the high-water mark of American global supremacy.

There are few at any time who have operated as close to the center of power over five decades and two continents, and there is practically no one in 20th Century politics, culture, and fashion whose lives she did not touch, including the Kennedys, Truman Capote, Aly Khan, Kay Graham, Gloria Steinem, Ed Murrow, and Frank Sinatra. Written with the novelistic richness and investigative rigor that only Sonia Purnell could bring to this story full of sex, politics, yachts, palaces and fabulous clothes, KINGMAKER re-asserts Harriman's rightful place at the heart of history.

### Author Biography

**Sonia Purnell** is a biographer and journalist who has worked at _The Economist_, _The Telegraph_, and _The Sunday Times_. Her book _A Woman of No Importance_ was a _New York Times_ bestseller, the winner of the Plutarch Award for Best Biography, and chosen as "Best Book Of The Year" by NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, and more. Her book _Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill_ (published as _First Lady_ in the UK) was chosen as a book of the year by _The Telegraph_ and _The Independent_, and was a finalist for the Plutarch Award. Her first book, _Just Boris_, was longlisted for the Orwell prize.

**Number of Pages:** 528

**Dimensions:** 1.2 x 8.3 x 5.5 IN

**Publication Date:** October 28, 2025

## Details

- **Price:** 22.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 22.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue - Paperback

---

> Source: [Smart supply deals](https://smartsupplydeals.com/products/kingmaker-pamela-harrimans-astonishing-life-of-power-seduction-and-intrigue-paperback)
> Updated: 2026-07-21