
One Hundred Summers
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Narrated by:
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Vanessa Branson
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By:
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Vanessa Branson
About this listen
Britain's 20th century seen through the prism of one extraordinary family.
Taking the listener on a journey from the dying embers of Edwardian England, through the trauma of two world wars, the hedonism of 1980s London and ‘Cool Britannia’ in the 1990s right up to the present day, One Hundred Summers is a portrait of a century as it was experienced by one extraordinary family.
Along the way, Vanessa Branson recalls the rough and tumble of her chaotic but happy childhood; growing up alongside her older brother Richard, entrepreneurial even as a teenager, she would have a front-row seat at the birth of Virgin, one of the most remarkable success stories in British business.
She goes on to share her many adventures in a fascinating life, from opening an art gallery on London’s Portobello Road and founding an arts festival in Morocco, to turning an ancient palace into a world-famous hotel and finding a real-life Neverland in the Scottish island of Eilean Shona, where J. M. Barrie once wrote a screenplay for Peter Pan.
Touching, humane and at times heartbreakingly honest, Branson’s family memoir is a vivid and charming tapestry of English eccentricity, fortune, fate and passion.
©2020 Vanessa Branson (P)2020 Bolinda PublishingCritic reviews
"Charming, honest, beautifully written and lyrical." (Kate Mosse)
"An elegantly written contemplation on family, fame, marriage, betrayal, ancestry and ambition." (Anthony Horowitz)
Didn't want to hear about sex but fascinating insight to a remarkable family.
Upsetting hearing about the turmoil of a divorce with children that many families can relate to.
Highly recommend this audio Book.
High's, low's & High again.
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great satisfying listen
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Er, really? Do you really want to put yourself out there? Letting family, friends and thousands of strangers into the inner workings of your own and your family's life?
Having now read the book almost non-stop over the last few days, I loved it. It's a wonderfully easy read and she writes in such a refreshing style. No pulling punches. Just telling one how it was. Nothing too laboured or clever/clever. The book is filled with some incredible personal highs and lows. Brave to go into the detail of some of the latter, particularly they are still raw for her and some of the family/friends close to her.
For sure, this is an interesting read for any of the thousands of people who have come across Vanessa over the years. To learn more about how she ticks. I was worried that I'd be giving an awkward (slightly hollow) praise. But far from it, I salute her for writing a book at all, let alone one that I enjoyed as much as I did.
More importantly this book will appeal to readers around the world whose curiosity will be piqued by the kaleidoscope of themes that run through the book....the entertaining family history, the insights into the meteoric rise of the Branson/Virgin phenomenon, her role in the explosion of the contemporary art scene in London, her passion for Marrakech and bravest of all.... the highs and lows of her relationship with Robert.
Brave, honest, funny, fascinating.....
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Loved it
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This book is a total joy and I couldn’t recommend it more — I was addicted to it!
A life well lived, honestly told
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Just so very unapologetically human...
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Loved the audio as she speaks so beautifully.
Wonderful book
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Touching account of a lifetime
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