In her new book, prize-winning, critically acclaimed biographer Carla Kaplan turns her lens to the wild and unlikely story of Jessica Mitford. The fifth of the six famous Mitford Girls, Jessica Mitford (also known as Decca), was a British aristocrat-turned-American Communist, famous for exposés like The American Way of Death. The second youngest of the famously beautiful – and brilliant – "Mitford Girls," Jessica was brought up by an eccentric English family in the bucolic Cotswolds and went on to be an unforgettable, subversive, and irrepressibly funny figure at the center of some of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century. Trading wealth and status for a life of radical activism, she advocated for civil rights, free speech, and an end war, relentlessly pursuing both justice and joy.
Personal note from bookstore owner Cheryl: Believe it or not (!) I WORKED for Jessica and her radical attorney husband when I was a UC Berkeley coed in the early 70’s. I had no idea what I was getting into! And I loved every wild minute of it. I “catered” (I use this term loosely, but she called me the caterer) all their parties which were of course, utterly fascinating! I also “assisted” with minor household chores... like helping her find her car keys. MOST importantly, Jessica taught me how to make the perfect cucumber salad... I can’t wait to read
the book.
