Friends and Enemies: A Memoir

Primed by reviewers I expected anecdotes and revelations delivered with style and wit. Halfway through and struggling,I realized this was a book that made me actually feel guilty for reading. There’s no need to go beyond the cover portrait...haggard , would-be alluring - and failing . An account of the delusions of an irredeemably unpleasant woman besotted with her imaginary sexual power.All the literary worth of a 1960’s soft porn airport paperback.

I've always had a soft sport for the very tough - but also vulnerable - Barbara Amiel. She has had - I do not think you could exactly say "enjoyed" - a very thoroughly lived life - but much of it has been tormented by uncertainty, insecurity and emotional unhappiness. The lack of stability of her early years seems to have reflected in her ill-starred romantic life, despite her beauty and intelligence; both of which you might have expected to have afforded her some protection. In Friends and Enemies she's tart and angry but also very honest and frank about her own shortcomings and failings.She takes on her husband's opponents with a scattergun zest; naming and shaming galore.Despite previous romantic failures, her last husband though, obviously loves her deeply and in her book she depicts him, despite being battered and weary, as almost heartbreakingly optimistic despite the brickbats thrown at him throughout a hellish period of inquisition and inprisonment; being held up to ridicule and insult. I didn't understand the financial ins and outs, but I believe he was betrayed and sold-out by people he'd been good to. He doesn't strike me as a dishonest crook of a man. I once worked at the DT and had to type in a book review he wrote on some Napoleonic wars tome. I thought how great and unusual it was to have a newspaper Baron of the old sort - with a keen interest in history and the intellectual life of his adopted country. I hope she and he are able to muster their forces for a second, much happier, round at life; whilst shedding some of those superficial "friends" and society fakes along the way. I found her book dazzling in spirit, but also sad - and Barbara's devotion to her dogs very moving. Reading of their plans to spend more time in London - well; I hope that they do.

If you are familiar with some of the people involved in this story it does make a fascinating account of Barbara Amiels life even if there are gaping holes in the internal coherence of her views.I read this after reading Tom Bowers' biography of Lord and lady Black and standing back from this two sides of the story I can't help feeling that The Blacks while being a little foolish in their need to flout wealth and success were harshly treated by the judicial system mainly in Canada but also The US.Of course there are moments when the narrative of this books omits certain points relevant to the convictions and then while BA seems to be broke she is shelling out huge fees on buying training and caring for what sound like two quite vicious dogs.In the end it is entertaining and quite painful and you have to admire Lady Black who use of language is as entertaining and skilful as her friend TomStoppard. Read it but remember if you live by the sword there is a strong possibility you may die by the same instrument.

A little too much salacious detail but a thoroughly entertaining read nevertheless. She and her husband treated harshly no doubt but when the little green eyed monster makes an appearance there is no hiding. Everyone should be able to publish a book listing friends and enemies!

I could not imagine that I would love this book so much, so well written and funny, she is an amazing writer I can’t believe someone actually give a bad review about this book when is so well written.

I really enjoyed this book, so much I bought it twice, one to keep and one as a gift. It is incredibly well written and engaging. I dont think I have ever read anything before which was so totally frank , honest and open. I do hope Barbara finds time for more writing and this was superb, thank you.

It is one of the few books I couldn’t wait to finish. A very dull and boring list of excuses for financial and personal misdemeanours.

I was looking forward to reading this book, because I usually enjoy a window into the world of the "movers and shakers" in our world. In addition, although I disagree with some of her political views, Barbara Amiel is without doubt a fine writer. Initially, the book is engaging. She writes about a very difficult childhood and its clear she virtually raised herself. She is also at times, shockingly, honest about her mistakes and personal flaws. Unfortunately after this, the book soon descends into detailing descriptions of interminable dinner parties, involving various uninteresting and by and large deeply unpleasant super-rich acquaintances, who I doubt most of us have ever heard of. It gets even worse when she writes about her husband Conrad Black and his trial and consequent prison sentence for fraud. Pages and pages of details, which I doubt anyone not involved, or not particularly interested the case will want to read. Its a long book and I probably skimmed at least 80%. There is even a list of "friends and enemies" at the back, which makes me think this is more an act of revenge than a book for the general public.