DOC Wait for Me!: Memoirs by Deborah Mitford in History

Review

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. "Both" her lives..By Jill MeyerDeborah ("Debo") Devonshire; the youngest; and only surviving; of the famous Mitford sisters; has written an autobiography that combines "both" her lives. Born in 1920 as the youngest Redesdale child (and; boringly; the sixth of six daughters); Deborah Devonshire has lived an active 90 years; filled with famous family and friends. The Mitford sisters; famous from the 1930's on for their political beliefs (both Left and Right) and their writing; also had a brother; Tom; who was killed in Burma in 1945. In 1941 she married Andrew Devonshire; younger son of the heir to Chatsworth; one of England's great estates. After the death of Andrew's brother - who had married Kathleen Kennedy - in 1944; Andrew became heir to the Devonshire fortune. After his father died; Andrew and Deborah; had to sell off parts of the estate - paintings and furniture - to pay off the onerous British death duties.Together they developed Chatsworth into a tourist magnet that saved it from the auction block. They had three children who lived and another three who died at birth. Andrew died in 2004; Deborah lives on.So - "two" lives. Deborah does an excellent job in writing about both parts; not skipping the less attractive parts of life with such eccentric creatures as her parents and sisters. I think she was more honest - open; maybe - about her family of birth than her marital one. In other sources; I've read that her husband wasn't faithful - she does talk about his alcoholism - and from her "couched" writing; it would seem that his relationships with their three children were not close. In addition to their family life; Deborah writes about their "public life"; with their postings abroad and the friends and acquaintances they made and the duties they performed.Hers was an interesting; long life and well-written about. I sometimes wish; though; that I could have read a little more "between the lines".6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A must for AnglophilesBy PatriciaIf you have any interest in British life - the aristocracy; royalty; the famous Mitford sisters - you should not miss this book. It seems like everybody is in it (the royal family; the Kennedy's; Hitler...). As Debo (Deborah); the youngest of the six Mitford sisters; the author gives us a firsthand view of the family dynamics; her difficult father; the two sisters who befriend Hitler (Unity and Diana); the one who was a Communist (Jessica - "Decca"); the one who was a famous writer of fiction based on the family (Nancy); and the only boy; Tom; who died heroically in the war. She starts from their childhood (which is an interesting insight into a unique family's life) and then their growing up and going into completely opposite ways. The tragedies of the sisters who flirted with Nazism; the tragedies of the lives of the Kennedy's with whom they intermarried are fascinating. Actually; the family knew the Kennedy's all along but when Debo married the second son of the Duke of Devonshire; she was pulled more closely to the Kennedy family. Her husband's older brother married Kathleen Kennedy; Jack Kennedy's older sister. But both the older son and Kathleen were killed; thus making Deborah's husband heir to the dukedom. The family stayed close to the Kennedy's - sitting front row at both his inauguration and his funeral.The star of the story is the house - Chatsworth House - look it up on the internet; just amazing. Because of the British death tax of 80% it took two decades of selling off things to pay the taxes. No one these days can afford to keep up such a house (65 full time staff; 35;000 acres; hundreds of rooms) so it was donated to a trust and then the trust tries to become self-supporting by opening the house to the public and also selling the fruits and crafts of the estate. The family lives on in the house by renting from the trust. A great deal of the story is how she tackled restoring the house on an austere budget (Britain took decades to recover from WWII). She was an amazing woman. Everyone comes to stay in the house - the royal family; the Kennedy's; famous authors and celebrities - and she gives us some of the scoop on them.My only criticism of the book is that she is on every blessed committee in Britain; and the itemized lists of committees; the wonderful people on them; all the wonderful people helping with the house; can be pretty tedious. It is something like an acceptance speech at the Oscars; but much longer! But then in the midst of all this; she suddenly turns poignant and tells of intense personal things like the deaths of her three premature babies; her sisters' tragedies; her husband's alcoholism - all with tact and compassion. Of particular interest to Americans is when she comments on the differences on such things as how we handle big celebrations; etc.I loved reading it on the Kindle but the lack of photos is a big loss. Fortunately; the internet makes up for it.If you are an Anglophile; don't miss this book.25 of 26 people found the following review helpful. Duchess and EntrepreneurBy rctnycYes; the Duchess is one of the famous Mitford sisters; and true; her autobiography is the account; not merely of her childhood; but the royalty; political leaders; and artists that she has known. Yet this book is the story; not of a privileged aristocrat; but rather a highly intelligent; incredibly resourceful woman with a great head for business; who has turned the debt-ridden family estate into a small conglomerate of "cottage" (and "castle") industries that has not merely generated sufficient income to keep that estate alive; but has been in the vanguard of the environmental and "local agriculture" movements. In addition; she's a decorator and the author of several best-selling books. What a talent!Indeed; what the Duchess's story proves is that talent will out; even among the very privileged. Deborah Mitford is the British (non-profit) Martha Stewart; and I mean that as a compliment. Instead of merely sitting home and entertaining -- which she did; apparently brilliantly -- she looked outward; working as an unpaid "volunteer" who; among other achievements; restored a centuries-old home and estate to it former glory; opened hotels; ran restaurants; marketed numerous foods and handmade products; including lawn furniture; and developed educational programs that taught city children and adults about the methods of healthy farming and animal raising. She's even got a flock of egg-producing chickens; and is selling the eggs.I found myself smiling each time the Duchess matter-of-factly described another new venture; thinking "You go; Debo!" In addition; she is keenly aware of the need for strong family and community ties; her employees stay with her forever; and she encourages them to develop their talents and skills. If we had more innovators and entrepreneurs like the Duchess of Devonshire; we'd be in much better shape; economically and socially. This Duchess knows how to pinch a penny and make a buck.Definitely worth the price; even for those who are bored with the Mitfords; this Mitford has made a difference.