The Glamour Boys

In The Glamour Boys, Chris Bryant sets out to bring to light the remarkable and in some cases heroic contribution of gay MPs to Britain’s involvement in the Second World War . . . They are largely unknown. Not any longer, it is to be hoped: [Bryant] has done them honour . . . He has handled the difficult form of group biography skilfully, using a great deal of never before published material, and introducing us to a number of little known figures -- Simon Callow * Guardian * Bryant’s biggest achievement is in uncovering the stories of four almost forgotten men . . . Groundbreaking * Evening Standard * A sprightly biography . . . Bryant invests his forgotten cast with heroism, proof of the grit, determination, bravery and resourcefulness lurking behind exteriors frequently written off as “flamboyant”’ * Telegraph * An inspiring story of defiant courage - alternately hilarious, triumphant and harrowing. A story about which I knew nothing but which has filled me with admiration for its brave and brilliant participants and for Chris Bryant’s superb, suspenseful telling -- Stephen Fry A fascinating and thrillingly told story. Chris Bryant weaves together political and cultural history with great skill. And in doing so he shines new light on an unspoken but hugely important group of men, whose bravery shaped the course of the Second World War. This is an important, wonderfully written and often very moving book -- Dan Jones Riveting and bursting with revelations throughout. A book that is as astonishing as it is important -- Peter Frankopan Gay MPs of the 1930s could play a major part in national politics, but only if they led a dangerous double life. In this tale of high society, high camp and high courage, Chris Bryant charts what that meant in the everyday life of a group of Parliamentarians. In affluent, liberal circles their homosexuality was widely tolerated, but they were never free from the dangers of blackmail, violence or prosecution. Chris Bryant paints a compelling picture of a glamorous, gossipy, unstable world of concealment and enjoyment – and of the bravery of a group of gay MPs . . . A fascinating book is a story that needs to be told, and that fills an important historical gap -- Neil MacGregor, author of 'A History of the World in 100 Objects' An absolutely fascinating history of how queer British MPs - who have until this book been unjustly erased from history - had the courage to confront the horror of Nazism in the era of Appeasement. Whatever your sexuality, this is a must-read -- Owen Jones A fascinating, beautifully written story I had never heard before -- Hugh Grant Brilliantly told, this is a piece of our history we needed to know -- Helena Kennedy As moving as it is extraordinary. Chris Bryant has unearthed one of the great untold stories of World War Two -- John Preston You can't deal with today's injustices without knowing how we got here in the first place . . . This is fascinating, authoritative and radical history at its best * Owen Jones on 'Entitled' * Magnificent . . . Chris Bryant is a fine historian * Express on 'Parliament: The Biography' * Admirably comprehensive . . . And written in the kind of lucid, elegant prose now rarely associated with our elected representatives -- Praise for 'Parliament: The Biography' * New Statesman *