num_pages: 312
description: "Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939), a glamorous, well-known figure in Britain for the 1st four decades of the 20th century, was the most eligible bachelor &amp; the greatest host of his time. He attained prominence in the art world, high society &amp; politics. In contrast, his sister Sybil (1894-1989) lived a more private life. Yet she was fascinating in her own right, marrying into the grandest level of the English aristocracy, restoring Houghton--formerly the house of Sir Rbt Walpole--to magnificence &amp; serving in the high command of the Women's Royal Naval Service during both world wars." Stansky offers the findings of new archival research &amp; a collection of photos to bring the Sassons &amp; their period into focus. He provides an account of Philip's election as the youngest Member of Parliament &amp; his service as military secretary to Douglas Haig during WWI &amp; as parliamentary private secretary to Lloyd George afterwards. He follows Philip as he undertakes the building &amp; renovation of town &amp; country houses, cultivates friendships in a wide circle that includes the Royal Family, stages influential art exhibitions &amp; serves as patron to John Singer Sargent &amp; other artists. At the same time Philip was Under-Secretary of State for Air &amp; later First Commissioner of Works. He also considers Sybil's development from wealthy debutante to the Marchioness of Cholmondeley &amp; her patronage &amp; conservation work. Using the lives of the Sassoon siblings as a lens thru which to view English life, particularly its highest reaches, Stansky offers insights into British attitudes toward power, politics, war, Jews, old vs new money, homosexuality, taste &amp; style.India: establishing a dynasty England: becoming English Philip &amp; Sybil serve their country Becoming a politician in the 1920s Setting the stage in London &amp; in the countryThe role of art: making an aesthetic The bomber always get through: politics in the 1930sSybil
language: English
title: Sassoon: The Worlds of Philip and Sybil
titlecomplete: Sassoon: The Worlds of Philip and Sybil
genres: Biography
ratings_count: 10
publisher: Yale University Press (New Haven)