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The Glamour Boys

The Secret Story of the Rebels who Fought for Britain to Defeat Hitler
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( 388 ratings, 76 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Glamour Boys uncovers the untold story of a group of young, queer British MPs in the 1930s who courageously confronted the rise of Nazi Germany. Witnessing Hitler's brutality first-hand during visits to Berlin, they warned Britain against appeasement despite facing personal and political persecution, including phone tapping and threats from Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. Their personal bravery intersected with public courage as they spoke out and enlisted in the war, with four dying in action. Their efforts were pivotal to Britain’s resistance to the Nazis.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

The Glamour Boys appeals to readers interested in British history, LGBTQ+ history, political biography, and World War II. It offers a compelling account for those seeking narratives of courage and resistance during a defining moment in Britain’s past.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A STORY OF UNSUNG BRAVERY AT A DEFINING MOMENT IN BRITAIN'S HISTORY

‘Superb’ Stephen Fry

‘Thrillingly told’ Dan Jones

‘Fascinating’ Neil MacGregor

‘Astonishing’ Peter Frankopan

We like to think we know the story of how Britain went to war with Germany in 1939, but there is one chapter that has never been told. In the early 1930s, a group of young, queer British MPs visited Berlin on a series of trips that would change the course of the Second World War.

Having witnessed the Nazis' brutality first-hand, these men were some of the first to warn Britain about Hitler, repeatedly speaking out against their government’s policy of appeasing him. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain hated them. Branding them ‘the glamour boys’ to insinuate something untoward about them, he had their phones tapped and threatened them with deselection and exposure.

At a time when even the suggestion of homosexuality could land you in prison, the bravery these men were forced to show in their personal lives gave them extraordinary courage in public. Undaunted, they refused to be silenced and when war came, they enlisted. Four of them died in action. And without them, Britain would never have faced down the Nazis.

A Guardian Book of Autumn 2020

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Praised by The Guardian for shedding light on heroic yet obscure figures, Chris Bryant deftly handles a group biography using extensive never-before-published material. The Evening Standard calls the book 'groundbreaking' for reviving the stories of four almost forgotten men. The Telegraph highlights the bravery and resilience beneath their 'flamboyant' exteriors. Stephen Fry describes it as an inspiring, suspenseful tale of defiant courage, alternating between hilarious, triumphant, and harrowing moments.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526601735

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 August 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 331g

Pages: 448

About the Author

Chris Bryant has been the Member of Parliament for Rhondda since 2001. He was Deputy Leader of the House of Commons and Minister for Europe in the last Labour government, and has been Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. The author of six previous books, he has written regularly for the Guardian and the Independent, and has appeared on every major TV and radio news and current affairs programme. He was the first gay MP to celebrate his civil partnership in the Palace of Westminster.

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