The house of Mitford

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The Mitfords were one of the 20th century's most intriguing and controversial families-glamorous, romantic, and especially in politics, extreme. Among the six daughters and one son born to Lord and Lady Redesdale were Nancy, the novelist and historian; Diana, the wife of fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley; Unity, friend of Hitler; Jessica, a communist-turned-investigative journalist; and Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire. Yet, as this intimate portrait shows, the violent disagreements and flamboyant contrasts that characterized the family obscured a powerful affection and a strong underlying unity. Journalist Jonathan Guinness is the elder son of Diana Mosley. Catherine Guinness, a former writer for Interview magazine, is his daughter.