{"product_id":"heirs-and-graces-a-history-of-the-modern-british-aristocracy-9781804941522","title":"Heirs and Graces: A History of the Modern British Aristocracy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe fascinating inside story of the British aristocracy since the Second World War.  There are fewer than 5000 people who can genuinely claim to be members of the British aristocracy, and yet they loom large in the popular consciousness. We're fascinated by their houses and estates, their lives and loves, their foibles and eccentricities. And we entertain the strong suspicion that, while they may be fellow citizens, they are very far from being People Like Us.  In Heirs and Graces Eleanor Doughty draws on her unparalleled access to a bewildering range of dukes, duchesses, earls and others to create a vivid picture of who they are and how they tick. En route she traces their progress from a post-war era when they and their like were described by one future Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer as 'selfish, depraved, dissolute and decadent' to their diverse current roles as guardians of vast ancestral mansions, farmers, financiers and much else beside. She looks at key rites of passage, from cradle, via boarding school to grave. And she tells stories of their ups and downs, and of the doings of the heroes and villains who fill their ranks.  The result is a wonderfully rich, often amusing, always revealing account of the fortunes of the aristocracy over the past century and a series of fascinating glimpses into what it is like to be an aristocrat in Britain today.\u003ch4\u003eDetails\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eISBN13: 9781804941522\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumber of Pages: 624\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdition: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication Date: 06 Oct 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublisher: Cornerstone\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication City, Country: United Kingdom\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions (cm): 19.8(H)x12.8(L)x3(W)452\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight (gm): 452\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h4\u003eEleanor Doughty began her career in journalism at the Daily Telegraph, before going freelance to focus on writing and working at the i newspaper as deputy comment editor. She has written the 'Great Estates' column in the Telegraph since 2017, and specialises in writing about the moneyed and titled classes, in particular country houses and their owners, as well as related pursuits. Her writing appears in the Financial Times, the Spectator, Country Life, The Times and Sunday Times, The Field, and many other publications. When she is not writing, she can be found either on or near a horse, or out with her cocker spaniel.\u003ch4\u003eReviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn enthralling chronicle\u003c\/b\u003e of the British aristocracy * Financial Times *\u003cbr\u003eA deeply researched and \u003cb\u003ehighly entertaining account\u003c\/b\u003e * Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeticulously researched.\u003c\/b\u003e An interesting account of the Aristocracy which I thoroughly recommend * Anne Glenconner *\u003cbr\u003eThe publication of this\u003cb\u003e well-written, well-researched and fascinating book\u003c\/b\u003e could not be better timed * Lord (Andrew) Roberts, author of The Chief: The Life of Lord Northcliffe Britain's Greatest Press Baron *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003esuperb\u003c\/b\u003e survey of the aristocracy today and how we got here… \u003cb\u003eA marvellous book\u003c\/b\u003e. * The Times *\u003cbr\u003eHeirs and Graces is a \u003cb\u003efriendly\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eforgiving\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003egood- spirited\u003c\/b\u003e book… * Literary Review *\u003cbr\u003eThis \u003cb\u003edetailed study\u003c\/b\u003e of modern British aristocracy… \u003cb\u003eFascinating nuggets gleam\u003c\/b\u003e from the densely textured background. * The Spectator *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003esurprisingly candid\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003estylish peek\u003c\/b\u003e into that well-heeled world. * Unherd *\u003cbr\u003eEleanor Doughty is a \u003cb\u003eshrewd\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003emeasured\u003c\/b\u003e analyst, her writing \u003cb\u003eaided by a lively pen\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003ewry sense of humour\u003c\/b\u003e. * Country Life *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA terrific book… Heaven. I can't recommend it enough.\u003c\/b\u003e It would make a very good Christmas present, if I'm allowed to mention the “ C ” word this early. * Sophie Money-Coutts, Telegraph column *","brand":"Eleanor Doughty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50837518844121,"sku":"9781804941522","price":29.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0502\/9530\/8441\/files\/9781804941522.jpg?v=1793105138","url":"https:\/\/www.arielbooks.com.au\/products\/heirs-and-graces-a-history-of-the-modern-british-aristocracy-9781804941522","provider":"Ariel","version":"1.0","type":"link"}