Friends and Enemies: A Memoir

Friends and Enemies is a remarkable memoir by Barbara Amiel, showing unflinching candour from a truly remarkable woman. It covers a formidable array of experiences, including political, sexual, marital, and material, and her rise woman's belief in her identity as a Jew and an unquestioned view that women were free to do anything in any arena they chose without society's approval. Her rise to the senior rungs of journalism began in Canada and continued in the United Kingdom approval. She held down plum jobs for many decades in Canadian and British journalism and appeared in U.S. publications. Her life has an operatic quality with a diverse cast, including Elton John, Henry Kissinger, Anna Wintour, Oscar de la Renta, Princess Diana, Tom Stoppard, Brooke Astor, Ghislaine Maxwell, Ronald Harwood, David Frost, and an array of aristocrats.

Format: Hardback
Length: 608 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Friends and Enemies is an extraordinary read, showcasing unwavering candor from a truly remarkable woman. Elton John hailed it as "blistering" and "shockingly candid," while the Daily Mail described it as "magnetic and magnificent." Barbara Amiel's long-awaited memoir is a remarkable testament to her honesty, depth, and lack of punches. An instinctive feminist and a vocal opponent of feminism's political correctness, her memoirs cover a formidable array of experiences, including political, sexual, marital, and material aspects. Born in London during the Blitz, Amiel faced a challenging upbringing, marked by her unwavering identity as a Jew, despite being disowned by the Jewish community. She held a strong belief in women's independence, advocating for their ability to pursue their aspirations without seeking societal approval.

Amiel's rise to the senior rungs of journalism began in Canada after her family's emigration and continued in the United Kingdom upon her return. With four marriages and an array of beaus, some famous, some infamous, and others spanning different age ranges, Amiel traversed various worlds, encountering challenges that were sometimes exacerbated by her own faulty choices. It is a testament to her writing prowess that she held down prestigious jobs in Canadian and British journalism, as well as appearances in U.S. publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Vogue.

As a writer with unabashedly libertarian views, Amiel faced both criticism and ridicule. She was often pilloried for her wardrobe choices, as well as her ideas. However, her resilience and determination allowed her to thrive in a male-dominated industry, making a significant impact on the world of journalism.

In conclusion, Friends and Enemies is an exceptional memoir that offers a captivating glimpse into the life and career of Barbara Amiel. Her unwavering honesty, depth, and wit make it a must-read for anyone interested in the world of politics, journalism, and women's empowerment.

Weight: 986g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 54 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472134219