AUTHOR

Sonia Purnell

Tap the gear icon above to manage new release emails.
Sonia Purnell is the New York Times bestselling biographer, journalist and public speaker whose new book is Kingmaker: Pamela Churchill Harriman’s astonishing life of seduction, intrigue & power. Branded a “triumph” by William Boyd, chosen as a Must Read by Town & Country and Harpers’ magazines and a book of the month by Apple Books, Kingmaker is one of the most anticipated books this autumn for, among others, Hatchards and the Guardian. It combines top-level geopolitics during WWII and the Cold War with fashion, fast cars, fabulous palaces and the erotic adventures of the “seductress of the century”. Details of the forthcoming events on Kingmaker can be found on Sonia's website. Her previous book 'A Woman of No Importance' about the heroic American one-legged spy Virginia Hall was a major bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic. Acclaimed as 'one of the most breath-taking stories yet told of female courage behind enemy lines', it was optioned by two major Hollywood directors. As The Economist noted, 'As tales of wartime derring-do go, it would be hard to beat' and Sonia won the Plutarch Prize for Best Biography in 2020. The bestselling First Lady: the Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill also received fulsome praise on both sides of the Atlantic and was shortlisted for the Plutarch prize. Critics hailed it as 'eye-opening', 'scrupulous' 'enthralling' and 'full of surprises' and First Lady has been credited with changing attitudes to Clementine and her on-screen portrayal including in the TV series, The Crown. Sonia's first work 'Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition' was long-listed for the Orwell prize for best political writing and was variously described as 'brilliant' 'rollicking' and 'devastating' - and changed the national debate about one of Britain’s most controversial public figures, Boris Johnson. Sonia has now sold a million books and is translated into 23 languages. A distinguished journalist, broadcaster, podcaster and commentator, she lives in London with her husband.
Read more Read less
You're getting a free audiobook


You're getting a free audiobook.

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Featured Article: The 20 Best Military Audiobooks from History to Fiction and Beyond


The titles that fall under the designation of military audiobooks are more varied and diverse than you might think. From firsthand combat accounts to imaginative works of fiction, these listens cover a lot of ground on both domestic and international disputes, scientific and sociological analyses, male and female perspectives, lessons from victory and loss, and more. What they have in common, though, are themes of courage, loss, and determination.

Best Sellers

Product List
    • Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue
    • By: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Louise Brealey
    • Length: 16 hrs and 58 mins
    • Release date: 09-17-24
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet

    Regular price: $22.75 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $22.75 or 1 credit

  • Regular price: $20.25 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $20.25 or 1 credit

    • The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill
    • By: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Susan Lyons
    • Length: 17 hrs and 33 mins
    • Release date: 10-27-15
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,457 ratings

    Regular price: $25.79 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $25.79 or 1 credit

    Included in Plus membership
  • Regular price: $27.27 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $27.27 or 1 credit

    • The Never-Before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous Spy of World War II
    • By: Sonia Purnell
    • Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt
    • Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 08-09-22
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

    Regular price: $16.20 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $16.20 or 1 credit

  • Regular price: $21.76 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $21.76 or 1 credit

  • Regular price: $30.09 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $30.09 or 1 credit

  • Regular price: $25.00 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $25.00 or 1 credit

  • Regular price: $27.79 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $27.79 or 1 credit

Are you an author?

Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography.