Welcome to my website. You'll find all the details of my books here -- plus links to my latest articles and interviews below. My latest book Model Woman, Eileen Ford and the Business of Beauty published by HarperCollins, was named one of the top ten fashion books of 2015, and will be appearing later this year in paperback. "Lege feliciter," as the Venerable Bede would say -- may you read happily!
Robert Lacey's book, 'Meyer Lansky: The Thinking Man's Gangster' has reached top place as the number one best-selling criminal biography on Amazon!
Buy the book here at Amazon.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE98sWq96Qk&feature=youtu.be
Happy Birthday, Ma’am! Ninety glorious pictures, for ninety usually glorious years!!
Here’s a comment I have just posted on the University of Columbia Gulf 2000 website reflecting on the recent execution of the Shia cleric Nimr Al-Nimr by the Saudi government:
Elana DeLozier’s thoughtful post of yesterday reminds me of listening to the Ashura press conferences delivered in the Qatif area within a few days of each other in January 2007 by the two principal Saudi Shia leaders, Sheikh Hassan Al-Saffar and Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr - the Tiger of the Tigers. The tone could not have been more different.
Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history on the evening of 9 September 2015. This documentary compares the lives and the reigns of two extraordinary women who have steered their courses through periods of remarkable change: Elizabeth and Victoria. It follows Queen Elizabeth II on engagements in the UK and abroad as she approaches this historic date. With interviews and archive to illustrate the remarkable stories of these two female monarchs.
"Robert Lacey debates with Dr. Karina Urbach on BBC Radio 4’s Flagship TODAY program."
My contribution to the debate begins at 2 hours 52 minutes and 36 seconds. Listen again on the BBC website.
A busy day for me today on BBC radio commenting on HRH Prince Charles' meeting with Jerry Adams this morning before he on to make a personal journey to Mullaghmore where his godfather and confidant Lord Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA.
Here are the links to the shows firstly the BBC Radio's Today Programme, Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and on Good Morning Ulster
As suggested at the Frontline Club on Monday 27 April, the Saudi Arabian King has announced major changes to the line of succession.
On Monday in a public forum with Owen Bennett-Jones at the Front Line Club I put forward the idea that a major dynastic reshuffle was in the wind for Saudi Arabia - and it has happened. King Salman has removed his half brother, Miqrin bin Abdul-Aziz, and has appointed his nephew, the powerful Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, as crown prince.
Is Saudi Arabia a kingdom in peril? This was the key question under discussion at a packed event held at the Frontline Club on Monday 27 April. Following the accession of King Salman and the ongoing conflict in Yemen, a panel, chaired by journalist Owen Bennett-Jones, discussed the potential destabilisation of the regime and the possibility for change within the country.
Robert Lacey discusses the critically acclaimed yet controversial 1980 film “Death of a Princess” on the BBC’s “The History Hour”.
The drama was based on the true story of a young Saudi Arabian princess that provoked an angry response from the Saudi Arabian government because of the film’s depiction of its customs.
