Win a copy of Coco Channel and The Pulse of History

Certain lives are at once so exceptional, and yet so in step with their historical moments, that they illuminate cultural forces far beyond the scope of a single person. Such is the case with Coco Chanel, whose life offers one of the most fascinating tales of the twentieth century—throwing into dramatic relief an era of war, fashion, ardent nationalism, and earth-shaking change—here brilliantly treated, for the first time, with wide-ranging and incisive historical scrutiny.
Macmillan Publishers RRP $44.99
Hardback.
Review by Kaynine in the Eldernet Office.
Much has been written about the legendary Coco, her well documented love of blatant lying, even to her closest friends, her rags to riches story and the rich men that came and went.This biography deals more with the history of what was happening in Europe and around the world that gave some influence to the life and work of the iconic Coco. The trademark pearls were a gift from the Russian Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich Romanov, and another rich male suitor left her a substantial amount of money in his will to fund her business ventures. Men seemed more than willing to shower this elegant, classy, educated couturi?re with money , gifts and a lavish lifestyle, but not to share their lives with her as her background and upbringing did not quite meet the standards required... Even so, Coco was a self made millionaire by the time she was 40.During the 1940's she positively played with fire, being openly anti semetic and living and 'cavorting ' with Nazis at the Ritz hotel. It is said she narrowly escaped being punished as a collaborator because of her intimate friendships with certain English Dukes, and the possibility she may reveal other Nazi sympathisers within their circle.It seems despite her dogged determination to get out of the poverty and loveless world she grew up in, the damage done in those younger years remained with her, an aversion to committing to relationships, possessing quite an acid tongue together with the constant stories and lies told without worry or concern should they be found out as fiction. A true picture of what can happen to a child raised with no love or affection, abandonment and false promises from those who should be trusted, and the driving need to drag yourself out of poverty,better oneself and fit in somewhere...
A good read from Rhonda Garelick, with a fascinating insight into a household name that will most certainly be a legendary name for a long time to come.
To enter the draw for this competition CLICK HERE Draw closes 4th March 2015. Open to NZ residents only.