Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman's Astonishing Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue

Purnell compares Pamela to Madame de Pompadour, the chief mistress of King Louis XV of France. How does this comparison highlight Purnell’s thematic interest in Sexual Politics as a Route Into Formal Power?

To what extent does Purnell suggest Pamela contributed to The Changing Role of Women in Politics? In what ways did her life subvert or reify the gendered expectations for political operatives of her time?

Purnell references Gloria Steinem as a key influence on Pamela’s worldview later in her life. Compare and contrast Pamela’s approach to political change with Steinem’s. Use specific examples from the text and external research to support your argument.

Purnell’s lens on Pamela’s life overtly emphasizes her thematic focus on Misogyny in Historical Memory-Making. In what ways does she position her portrayal of Pamela as a defense of her political tactics?

How did Pamela’s social privilege contribute to the opportunities she had during World War II and later in her life? How was her experience during the war distinct from that of women from less privileged backgrounds? How was her experience similar to those of other women?

What rhetorical devices and literary techniques does Purnell use to create a nuanced portrait of Pamel for readers? How does Purnell’s stated partiality affect the reading experience?

Compare the structure and methodology of Kingmaker to that of other narrative biographies of famous female political figures, such as Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser (2001) or Not for Turning: The Life of Margaret Thatcher by Robin Harris (2013).

How does the book’s narrative focus—Pamela Harriman—shape the reader's understanding of the historical events that took place during her lifetime, such as World War II and the Balkan conflict? How does the short shrift Purnell gives to complex historical events illuminate Pamela’s perspective?