Reviews (4)

A masterpiece
I laughed so hard my gut ached when I read this book. It is a witty, extremely well-researched investigation into the monarchy, both intellectually stimuling and filled with gossip. The reviews were right. This is a must-read.

I loved this book.
Original, funny, a brilliant book by a brilliant journalist. It's been praised by people as wildly different as Janet Street-Porter, Christopher Hitchens, Julie Burchill, Victor Lewis-Smith and AN Wilson. They're right!

This book is hilarious and a joy. The other reviewer is pretty obviosuly just bitter, Harri has been very successful very young, but on the evidence of this book and his writing in the Independent he seems to genuinely deserve it.

dreadful
Derivative and unimaginative this book adds little to the debate about the monarchy. Reading like an extended undergraduate essay, it relies too heavily on secondary material and exposes Hari to the allegation that he has only written it to advance his career in journalism.
There are simply better books to read on the subject and should you feel an urge to explore Hari's opinion on the subject he has repeated it in both The Independent and The New Statesman (both articles were in fact almost verbatim copies of each other).
No wonder that John Pilger referred to him as a "non-journalist"

Dreadful
Derivative and unimaginative this book adds little to the debate about the monarchy. Reading like an extended undergraduate essay, it relies too heavily on secondary material and exposes Hari to the allegation that he has only written it to advance his career in journalism.
There are simply better books to read on the subject and should you feel an urge to explore Hari's opinion about the monarchy it may be worth noting that he has repeated it in both The Independent and The New Statesman (both articles were in fact almost verbatim copies of each other).
When John Pilger referred to Hari as a "non-journalist" he did so with good reason. ... Read more

Book Description

"One of the many merits of Ben Pimlott's superbly judicious biography of Elizabeth II is that it understands this connection between monarchy and masses, and carefully evokes its political importance." —The New York Times Book Review

"A level-headed study . . . helps us appreciate the capacities as well as the limitations of a woman who, whatever else happens, just keeps on going on." —People

"There will be no better biography of Elizabeth II as a figure of state until her official one appears—and perhaps not even then. . . . Pimlott has succeeded triumphantly. He has written a book that can be enjoyed and admired by people who would never have imagined reading any previous royal biography." —The Independent (London)

"An important and stimulating book." —Antonia Fraser, author of Mary, Queen of Scots in The Guardian (London)

"The best all-around study of the Queen so far, showing understanding as well as amused irony." —The Sunday Telegraph (London)

"There will not be a better royal biography for many years." —The Daily Telegraph (London) ... Read more

Reviews (8)

What it must be like to sit on that Throne!!!...
...lots of interesting, to-be-expected historical facts, dates, names, places, political intrigue, etc. (this is NOT a short book), but numerous anecdotes turned what could otherwise have been a dry historical narrative into a really enjoyable read---everyday life stories, palace gossip, and comical happenings of the Family Royal---examples: Queen Mary used to refer to granddaughter QE2 as "the little bambino"...and, though the death of Edward VIII was in no way a laughing matter, the description of how the Palace treated Wallis was really a scream.

The Woman Who Wears the Crown
This book goes into extreme depth of the life of the fifth longest reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II. What she is like, what she must do as her position as the Queen, and what she stands for are a few of the questions that are answered in this biography by Ben Pimlott. Reading the book was an interesting and enjoyable experience that helps to understand the stresses of living life as a monarch.

The Queen has Sold Her Heritage
With the Constitutionally-mandated reduction in the sovereign's power in the past hundred years, it's easy to see the Queen of England as a figurehead. A mascot, if you will, whose only powers are to be advised and to consent. A study of Ben Pimlott's nearly seven hundred pages will teach you why this has happened, particularly in the last nearly fifty years.

The Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth II is something of an oddity in today's world--a study of the political power the monarch still holds and how that power has been wielded (or not) during the current reign. It's fascinating, and in a world filled with tawdry junk bios about the private lives of the Royal Family, this factual reference book is a gem.

It's true the Queen commands less politically than any of her predecessors, but that's more her own fault than anyone else's. She appears to have CHOSEN, for some reason known only to her, to reign but not rule. Even her father, George VI, that most dutiful of monarchs, often made important decisions in critical situations---and no one questioned him because he was the King. His daughter has spent her reign, since 1952, playing it safe, never pushing the Constitutional line between Sovereign and Government. Because the line's never been pushed by the Queen, the Government has encroached ever more obviously onto what was once unquestionably the Monarch's territory.

It would be difficult for the Queen to push back now; she's already given up too much. It will be nearly impossible for the next monarch (most likely Prince Charles) to recover lost ground; he will most likely be only a ceremonial king, in the manner of the Danes and Swedes. Elizabeth II has allowed herself, her decendants, and the British monarchy itself to become Constitutionally hemmed in, and it's doubtful they'll ever cut their way out.

Pimlott explains all of this with several examples of laws passed since 1952, each limiting the sovereign's power a bit more. The Queen has, for whatever reason, not refused her signature to any of these laws though, technically, she still has that right.

Elizabeth II: A Biography is well-written and exhaustively referenced. The many photographs included aren't the ones that always show up in biographies about the Royal Family; there are several I've never seen before. There are no anonymous sources to question; everyone is either well-known, or he/she is explained to the reader. This may be a better book for English readers than for Americans, since several of the matters discussed pertain only to the English, and Americans may be bored by the minutiae of individual British case law.

Final decision: A tad dry, but the best examination of Elizabeth II's reign I've seen.

Wonderful
Ben Pimlot provides a fascinating insight into the head of the House of Windsor. This excellent biography explores the public life of the British sovereign and also reveals a poignant picture of the private life of the monarch. She is a woman of wit and humour with the common touch which endears her to the world; witness her fondness for rough cider and bawdy humour and her enduring interest in the British mod scooter scene. A welcome addition to coffee table or serious library alike, this book just keeps cranking out the laughs.

Yawn!
This biography is only for the most hard core fans of the Queen and the monarchy of the UK. It is extremely slow moving and the interesting parts are few and far between. I usually devour books of this sort, but the author concentrates too much on miniscule political facts and musings rather then on the life of the Queen. Perhaps this book would have been better titled "British politics and the reign of Elizabeth II." Ms Longford's book is a much better biography of this grand lady. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ingrid Seward, a prolific writer on the English royal family, was the last journalist to interview Princess Diana before her death in August 1997. In this intriguing book, Seward gives a worm's-eye view of Diana's trouble-plagued life, layered with episodes of betrayal and illness, and she accords full sympathy to the minor noblewoman who became "the people's princess." She is still more sympathetic to Diana's sometime nemesis Queen Elizabeth II, who, in Seward's account, labored endlessly to preserve the dignity of the monarchy in the face of a family that behaved in anything but a dignified manner.

Rising above the caricatures that color the popular press, Seward depicts a queen who tried her best to accommodate Diana--who was, it seems, never shy in voicing her displeasures and had an undeniable flair for recruiting the media in her cause, all the while protesting the press's intrusion into a fairy-tale life that "turned into a Gothic nightmare." Diana's insistence on airing her dirty laundry in public was bound to irritate the ever-sensitive queen, but more, Seward writes, "in her demands for love and sympathy, she gave self-fulfillment precedence over duty"--and for Elizabeth, dereliction of duty was the greatest possible sin one could commit. Their relationship could end only in tears; and so it did, taking much of the English public's good will toward the royal family with it.

Sometimes racy and breathless, but intelligent all the same, Seward's account enlarges our understanding of the internal dynamics of the modern court while delivering no end of scandalous news, just as a palace chronicle should. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Sad...
I find Ms. Seward's writing to be painful to read. For an editor of Majesty magazine, I expected her to have class in her manner of writing and respect in her depiction of the British royal family. She would have been well suited as a writer for the tabloids instead. Her manner of retelling is very gossipy, and biased. She can't seem to help but include her spiteful opinions of the late princess. I find her to be a very disrespectful person to be writing such a book. If you are looking for historical background or a respectful account of the Queen and the late princess, this is not the book to read.

The Knowledge of a Misunderstood Relationship
If you are like half of the population and interested in all the gossip about the House of Windsor and the late Princess of Wales, then this book should be one that you should read. This book is about the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. This book, to my belief, is a piece of evidence on why we as the public should respect Her Majesty, and why we should understand what their relationship is truly about. The book describes Diana's first State duty with the entire Royal Family in November 1984 at the State Opening of Parliament. Diana was having her hair being done for the event and insisted that she wore her hair up knowing that it was not long enough and looked different. The next day Diana's hair was on the headlines not the Queen, on which should have been a day of her publicity. This was the beginning of the popularity contest between these two women.
The author Ingrid Seward, is editor of Majesty magazine. She has written many books about the Royal Family that has kept her in the bestsellers list for twelve years.
This book all and all will give you a better knowledge about both women and will teach you the inside story of what happened behind the palace walls of two remarkable women and there relationship that is so widely known and questioned by the public.

God Save the Queen!
Thank you, Ms. Seward for writing a fair and reasonable book. It's gratifying to read a work that illuminates how hard our queen tried to accomodate the late Princess of Wales and what a truly lovely person she is. Elizabeth II is a great queen -- history will bear this out -- and I think we often take her far too much for granted. God bless and keep her!

As a British subject currently residing the states, I remain astonished at the rabid interest our royal family holds for Americans.

The Queen and Di: The Untold Story by Ingrid Seward
I would not recommend this book to anyone. I felt cheated. The book was extremely biased on part of the Queen. I do not think that Ingrid Seward was objective as a writer. It is such a pity that she could not give any respect to the person that made her magazine sell. Back in the 80's, Diana was prominently featured in Majesty magazine. No one bought it to see what the Queen wore. I was expecting a little more honesty than I read in this book. Queen Elizabeth and Diana were just people. A mother and daughter in-law. There was a divorce. No one is perfect, but this book would lead you to believe that all the royals were. Save your money.

Palace Propaganda
I suppose one should have expected the bias from the editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, nevertheless the fact that Seward and her ilk at The Firm's PR machine believe the public can't recognize such artless spin is an eloquent example of how out-of-touch the House of Windsor remains. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Watching Queen Elizabeth place flowers at a makeshift memorial to Dianain 1997, journalist (and renowned Nixon-basher) William Shawcross sympathizedwith the often misunderstood monarch: "I thought how lonely she must feel, andhow perplexed she must be by the vast changes through which Britain has passedin the decades since her accession."

The U.K. is now not quite so united, not quite so British, not nearly sopowerful as it was in the time of her father, George VI. Elizabeth has struckmany observers as a lonely, aloof soul, struggling valiantly to hold a difficultfamily together while assuring her nation that the constitutional monarchyremains relevant in the modern world.

Over half a century of rule, Shawcross suggests, the queen has risen to everyoccasion and capably led both the British Commonwealth and the royal family,even if both have given her plenty of troubles in the bargain. This well-writtenand nicely illustrated portrait does a fine job of showing the many ways she hasearned the affections, respect, and consent of her people. --GregoryMcNamee ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Simply Brilliant!
I read the book in one sitting, and while it covers all a book can given the enormity of its subject, I was left wanting more. Give the author credit for capturing a remarkable monarch.

Shattering the Myth of Monarchy
Those who believe that the institution of monarchy is archaic and serves no purpose in the modern nation-state might find Mr. Shawcross's book somewhat suprising. Employing a succinct writing style, Mr. Shawcross provides his reader with a fascinating glimpse into the woman who, by accident of birth and unforseen dynastic events, has occupied the throne of Great Britain for half a century and who, in a quiet, unassuming way, has exacted considerable influence over the politics of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and world. This book shows the error in characterizing the Queen as a mere figurehead. Indeed, her role as confidant to prime ministers, the political knowledge and wisdom she has acquired through her lengthy tenure as sovereign, her ability to lead by example, and her steadfast willingness to dedicate her life to the service of her nation and the Commonwealth, combine to produce a portrait of a woman who is anything but a token head of state.

This book successfully argues the case for monarchy. Politicians, scandals, and events come and go, but there, above it all, remains the Queen.

A Clear, Thorough Bio
I found this book very interesting. I suggest all Britons campaigning for a republic read this book. It proves how influential and important the monarchy really is. It also proves what a brilliant woman Elizabeth II is and how she has come to embody the ideal constitutional monarch. What I found most interesting is her actual involvement in British (and many Commonwealth) affairs. Most Americans think of her as a mere figurehead who opens up hospitals here and there. This is far from the truth. As she is probably the most experienced diplomat in Britain, her sage counsel to Prime Ministers has proven invaluable. I urge those who pass off Elizabeth as dispensable to read this book and see how indispensable she really is. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fairly thourough look at an extensive collection
A well written guide to QE II's elaborate collection of precious stones. Comes complete with her family tree as a reference, which you may find handy to refer to as the author traces back how most of the pieces came to the Queen through her ancestors. Many pictures, however, there are almost as many of Queen Mary as there are of Queen Elizabeth II! I especially liked the way it was discussed how some older pieces have been taken apart, reset, and reconfigured to make them do duty in the 20th and 21st centuries. A very well researched book that any royal watcher will enjoy. I would love to see the author devote a publication to the jewelry (real and paste) of the late Princess of Wales. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sisterhood of Spies is a real-life James Bond story, double-X chromosome-style. Here, though, the heroines aren't sex kittens in black spandex, but rather upper-crust women risking their lives in the service of a country at war. Elizabeth P. McIntosh was a reporter in Hawaii when the Office of Strategic Services (the C.I.A.'s precursor) recruited her to aid in its campaign of wartime disinformation. Fifty-five years later, she's taken it upon herself to tell the story of the women who served with her undercover--some of whom have also achieved aboveground celebrity, such as Marlene Dietrich and Julia Child. The narratives contained in Sisterhood of Spies couldn't be any more gripping if they were written as fiction: Nazi interrogation ordeals, daring escapes across mountain passes, expeditions behind enemy lines, even Mata Hari-style affairs. Ms. McIntosh's book is a fond ode to these women and a bravery that has remained unsung too long. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Chronicles Women's Contributions to Intelligence During WWII
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of the Office of Strategic Services. The book does an excellent job presenting the contributions the women of the OSS made to the war effort with particular emphasis on morale operations and covert action. The book is not only an account of the author's experience in the OSS, but also devotes a majority of its pages to accounts of other OSS veterans serving in various posts throughout the world. Given the dearth of historical accounts of the contributions of women to the field of intelligence, this book is a must read. The author's vast experience in the field coupled with her excellent writing skills made this book one I simply could not put down.

These sisters break the glass ceiling in WWII intrigue
For readers who enjoy history (particularly WWII), McIntosh's "Sisterhood of Spies" is a worthwhile experience. The book looks at women in all areas of OSS during WWII in all parts of the globe. McIntosh's writing style is a bit bothersome at times (too much "gung-ho" spirit for me; that's why I only give it three stars) but she knows her stuff and the profiles of these women and their work during the war more than make up for it. I liked the stories of daring (particularly "the lady with the limp" or the episode to steal the naval codes or the woman captured by the Germans). I learned a great deal about hte different aspects of OSS - the R&A, black propaganda (forging postcards to demoralize the families of Japanese soldiers fighting in Burma). McIntosh does a good job of creating a sense of the lifestyle - the pressures, the challenges. She also gives a good bit of detailed "back story" on the women - showing their life before the war, how they got involved with OSS, how their experiences with OSS transformed their lives, and finally, a glimpse of their lives post-war. These women definitely challenged perceived notions of how women could contribute to the war effort. Most all of them encountered "narrow thinking," particularly from the military branches they were working with, and managed to overcome that. I found the stories both fascinating and inspiring.

Less Would Be More
McIntosh starts strong in "Sisterhood of Spies," providing the background of the organization and then composing small vignettes of representative women and thier exploits. As the books goes one, however, she seems to want to include thumbnails (names/backgrounds) of more and more women, and the exciting details of the few become rarer. These women were truly extraordinary, in ways that few people today can imagine, and they certainly deserve recognition. Perhaps McIntosh could have written more about her own interesting history with the OSS and left the other women to an author that felt less emotionally beholden to include everyone.

Excellent OSS information
I don't normally go for "women's history" books, but I've been reading everything I can on the OSS and this seemed like an interesting side of it. With that attitude, I totally underestimated the stories contained within. As expected, there are chapters on individual women who accomplished extraordinary things during the days of the OSS. The greater value, though, is that by telling even a sentence or two about the many, many women who worked as clerks, analysts, drivers, etc., you get a much better view of the structure of the organization. Many intelligence books concentrate on the medal-winning heroic acts. Here you get those stories plus a clear picture of who was recruited and how; how the offices worked; how information was gathered, analyzed, and consumed; and basically what it was like to work in the organization at the levels below superhero. I have a much better understanding of the day-to-day operations from reading this book. (P.S. I am a woman so don't flip out over my opening statement.)

A story that needed to be told...
...and it is well done, by one of the "Sisterhood." Very engrossing, and goes to show how valuable their contributions were during wartime. They didn't just type and file papers--they were in the thick of it as well as the men. It's about time that their role was given the recognition it deserves! ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a time, in 1930s England, there were two little princesses named Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.Their father was the Duke of York, the second son of King George V, and their Uncle David was the future King of England.

We all know how the fairy tale ended:When King George died, “Uncle David” became King Edward VIII---who abdicated less than a year later to marry the scandalous Wallis Simpson.Suddenly the little princesses’ father was King. The family moved to Buckingham Palace, and ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth became the heir to the crown she would ultimately wear for over fifty years.

The Little Princesses shows us how it all began.In the early thirties, the Duke and Duchess of York were looking for someone to educate their daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, then five- and two-years-old.They already had a nanny---a family retainer who had looked after their mother when she was a child---but it was time to add someone younger and livelier to the household.

Enter Marion Crawford, a twenty-four-year-old from Scotland who was promptly dubbed “Crawfie” by the young Elizabeth and who would stay with the family for sixteen years.Beginning at the quiet family home in Piccadilly and ending with the birth of Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1948, Crawfie tells how she brought the princesses up to be “Royal,” while attempting to show them a bit of the ordinary world of underground trains, Girl Guides, and swimming lessons.

The Little Princesses was first published in 1950 to a furor we cannot imagine today. It has been called the original “nanny diaries” because it was the first account of life with the Royals ever published.Although hers was a touching account of the childhood of the Queen and Princess Margaret, Crawfie was demonized by the press.The Queen Mother, who had been a great friend and who had, Crawfie maintained, given her permission to write the account, never spoke to her again.

Reading The Little Princesses now, with a poignant new introduction by BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, offers fascinating insights into the changing lives and times of Britains royal family.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must-read if you're interested in royalty
If you're fascinated by royalty, you need to read this classic book about the present Queen of England, Elizabeth II, and her late sister, Princess Margaret. Yes, it's an old book--but it's extremely well written, and everyone I know who's read it has been enchanted by it. Besides the intimate glimpses of the Windsors, it tells you a great deal about everyday life in Britain during World War II. The royal family suffered the same wartime privations that everyone else did. If you enjoyed "The 1940's House" series on PBS, you'll love this book. Incidentally, "The Little Princesses" was ghostwritten, and Marion Crawford was a governess, not a nanny. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

will not disappoint!
Field has produced an excellent balance of text and pictures and has done an exceptionally thorough job of documentation. I was fascinated by his descriptions of how the jewelry was modified over the years to accommodate the fashions of the day and the taste of the current owner. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was due to the pictures. Most are black and white (for obvious reasons), however some were of very poor quality, and very few taken with the intention of displaying jewelry. There was one delightful story of a gift to the young Princess Elizabeth, a necklace and bracelet, which the Queen now refers to as "my best diamonds". But do we get to see the diamonds? No, the only available picture was a distant news photo of the young Princess sitting at an angle and the jewels nearly impossible to see. For Princess Diana fans, don't bother buying this book. There are less than a half dozen images of Diana, and nothing you haven't seen before. And just a reminder, this is her personal collection. You won't see any of the crown regalia.

A stunning and informative book with gorgeous photos
Leslie Field's "The Queen's Jewels: The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II" is a splendid, splendid book in every way. Field has gathered together hundreds of important photographs (of the nearly half million she saw altogether) of Queen Elizabeth's jewels. These are shown both in their cases and being worn by various monarchs, and we see how different royal family members have altered the look or the purpose of pieces as fashions and times changed over the years. Field has complemented these photographs with her outstanding, meticulously researched text. Even if you purchase the book mostly to drool over the photographs, you will end up being both captivated and educated by the accompanying text.

Field begins the book with the ascension of Queen Victoria to the throne. Because of the Salic laws passed by the House of Hanover in 1833, Victoria was prevented from becoming ruler of both the United Kingdom and Hanover. The kingdoms were split for the first time in well over a century. Immediately, King Ernest of Hanover--an uncle of Queen Victoria--demanded his share of the royal jewels, arguing that since the kingdom had been split, so must be the gems. Victoria disagreed, and the argument went on for two decades before finally being settled in favor of Hanover. Subsequently, Victoria gave up several important pieces of jewelry to her uncle's descendants--but was already well on her way to amassing an important collection.

Victoria was the first British monarch to make clear that some pieces belonged to the Crown and were for use by any Queen to follow her--and that some pieces were her personal property, and hers to dispose of as she saw fit. British monarchs have followed in her footsteps ever since and although Field showcases many sumptuous Crown pieces in the book, the bulk of what we see are the Queen's personal pieces. And what a collection it is!

The collection is vast and jaw-droppingly beautiful. Field wisely divides the book into types of stones, from diamonds and pearls to emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, turquoise, and more. We see everything from parures
(i. e., complete matching sets of everything from necklaces to brooches to rings to earrings and more) to necklaces and tiaras which were gifts from other governments or from such quaintly named organizations as "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" to pieces designed by Prince Philip expressly for his wife.

Among the many stand-outs in the book are:

- Queen Elizabeth's three-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring, designed by Prince Philip for his wife and set with a handsome diamond taken from a tiara belonging to Philip's mother (p. 85);

- The Godman Necklace, which had been bought by an English naturalist in the 1890s while on holiday in Bavaria. His daughters, many years after his death, wrote to the Lord Chamberlain saying that they felt they owned jewelry once owned by Empress Josephine of France and that the Queen might be interested in it. Although it turned out not to have been of this provenance, it was undoubtedly a stunning and valuable piece, showcasing seven large emeralds and three smaller ones, and surrounded throughout with an encrustation of diamonds and platinum filigree (p. 95);

- The Cambridge's Lover's Knot Tiara, shown being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge in 1818, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in the 1890s, Queen Mary in 1926, Queen Mary again in 1935 (this time without the upright pearls which originally adorned it), Queen Elizabeth in 1955, and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985. This is powerful testimony that good design and fine jewelry are both timeless (pp. 113 - 115);

- Queen Mary's "Rose of York" bracelet, which is a breathtaking ruby and diamond pendant which was eventually turned into a bracelet (p. 143).

Of course these are but a few of the many treasures in the book. It is a fascinating read, and a wonderfully complete and detailed account of what is probably the finest jewelry collection in the world today.

An Entertaining and Unique Piece of History
I was so impressed with and have gotten so much Joy from this book, it has inspired me enough to go ahead and try my first on-line review. When I noticed this was out of print I was very surprised. Even more so when I realized there was also a 1997-revised edition. I am hopeful its simply because the newly expanded volume is getting its finishing touches. With digital imaging technology having come so far since the publishing of the first two editions (87/97), the detail that is now available will hopefully be prominently featured in the next. A unique aspect of this book is the thoroughness of information presented on several different topics.
The title subject is definitely covered in meticulous detail. Aside from the jewels it really is almost a complete mini-biography of most of the British Royal Family. After all the Men bought jewels too! It is amazing to see an 18th century piece on Queen Elizabeth and be able to trace it exactly from it origin through the centuries.
The information in text and pictures give a much better understanding of the whole concept of continuity, with many surprises along the way. Tidbits like how Queen Victoria stubbornly refused to return gems that another Royal House insisted it owned. How important Jewels were to Queen Mary, not for their monetary value but because of their family historical importance. Its the little details like this that give you a much more personal understanding of monarchs, without being dishy or gossipy.

Both the front and back inside covers gives a complete family tree dating back to Henry VII. Inside, thirteen categories/chapters cover everything from Diamonds and Emeralds to Sapphires and Amethysts, explaining who favored a particular kind of gem or style over another. Do not expect a very in-depth education on gems, however you get a great understanding of the history and importance of gems through the centuries as a symbol of power and status. There is a generous amount of color and B&W photos perfectly balanced with the text. Generations of Royals Portraits set-up three or four to a page wearing the same Jewels over scores of decades are some of the picture highlights. I really don?t think you need to be a Royal Watcher to appreciate the images. From all the individuals listed in the Acknowledgments many of them with titles you understand this book was published with the complete cooperation and help of the entire Royal Family. Its the photography that makes you appreciate this. A perfect example of this is the cover subject. A magnificent necklace part of a set named: The Cambridge and Delhi Durbar Parure. Inside there is another full color page showing the complete set, however throughout the book you can see no less than ten or twelve different royals wearing some kind of configuration of it. Including the World Famous snapshot of the late Princess Diana wearing the necklace as a headband.
You cannot help but feeling like you know the members of the various royal houses a little better after reading a few excerpts. The entire volume gives you an impression that the author truly respects, enjoys and is highly educated on her subject. This is one of the few books that I own, that I know I will never post for sale used. I hope you enjoy!

A labor of love
I can't say enough about this book. Leslie Field obviously loves her subject; the amount of research that went into this book is impressive. It is fascinating to follow a piece of jewelry through history from Queen Victoria to Princess Diana through pictures. The accompanying text is informative, but the pictures really say it all in this book.

A marvelous photographic record of history.
I purchased the original edition in 1987, and find that it continues to be enjoyable reading even today. There is a tremendous sense of history, as well as beautiful photography throughout this volume. ... Read more

Book Description

In February 6, 1952, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became Elizabeth II, Queen of England. Monarch is bestselling author Robert Lacey's unique biography of Elizabeth Windsor as well as his acute analysis of history's most durable symbol of political authority: the British monarchy.

Monarch is a revelatory examination of Elizabeth II as a human being and of an institution shaped over the years by the wishes and dreams -- and sometimes the anger and unhappiness -- of the British people. As such, it is both a celebration and an analysis of the world's best-known monarchy. Here are Elizabeth's ancestors and models: her great-grandmother Victoria (adored as a young queen, derided for her middle-aged seclusion from her subjects, and revered as the longest-reigning monarch in British history); the playboy Prince of Wales, later Edward VII; Elizabeth's grandfather George V; her adored uncle David, who abdicated as Edward VIII; her father, George VI; and her extraordinarily well loved mother, the Queen Mum. Monarch brings Elizabeth to life as never before: "Lillibet" as a baby, being instructed in the proper way to wave to a crowd; as a child, inspiring her people with radio addresses through the Blitz; annotating her books on constitutional law with carefully written notes on how to be a queen; and falling in love with her cousin Philip at age thirteen...for life. Here is Elizabeth ascending the throne at twenty-six as the subject of the world's first worldwide television broadcast...watched by virtually everyone in the United States who owned a TV. This is the inside story of the world's most watched family, for whom the attention of millions has been attracted to each triumph or scandal: Princess Margaret's on-again, off-again "engagement" to RAF hero Peter Townsend, and her marriage to and divorce from Lord Snowdon; the Windsors' glorious 1980s, with a royal wedding and a birth practically every year; and their horrific 1990s, with a head-spinning assortment of financial scandals, divorces, and even a fire that devastated Windsor Castle. And here, of course, is a nuanced and sympathetic look at Diana, the most complicated royal of all, whose life and death marked both the deepest decline and the redemption of the House of Windsor.

But finally, this is the story of Elizabeth herself: her bravery in the face of family crises and IRA assassination threats; her lifelong love affair with Philip (and its not always salutary effect on her children); and her heroic -- and very English -- understanding of the duty of a constitutional monarch. No matter what opinion readers have already formed about the Queen -- who may not yet be Britain's longest-reigning sovereign, but who has earned the title of the monarch who has put in the most hours of work -- Monarch is certain to remind them of her remarkable resilience, simplicity, character, and courage. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Boring Parts + Fascinating Passages = Decent Biography
Obviously, Robert Lacey is a dedicated biographer. His book is characterized by research, depth, and scope. What's more, he doesn't resort to cheap sensationalism to add a few more chapters. Yet somehow, "Monarch" is still one of those books that doesn't just capture you and leave you gushing about how wonderful it was.

Lacey begins his book by attempting to chronicle the development of the "modern" royal family, beginning with reign of Queen Victoria and providing glimpses into several other monarchs' rule. It would be true to say that these "foundations" help one understand the current queen. Occasionally, this extended history lesson was just plain fascinating, too, imparting nuggets of history that any royal buff delights in.

Unfortunately, the history lessons definitely became too textbook-ish at times, too. Lacey has an extremely unfortunate habit of seeming to bring up every single name, place, and government activity when talking about an event. This leaves the reader with an overly long and dull account of event that could have been summed up much more interestingly.

The same analysis, to a lesser extent, holds true for the queen's own story in this book. At times, Lacey fabulously describes people and events, knows just where to place a well-chosen quote, and makes one want to read about the queen's life forever (as in the opening chapters about the queen's dealings with Diana's funeral). Yet the "bogged-down-in-boring-detail" problem still surfaced in this part (the parts dealing with the Margaret-Townsend affair were dry and too long).

Lacey is certainly to be commended for his obvious knowledge about the queen, and it is also fortunate for readers that he is able to convey his respect for the queen while still offering up intelligent, constructive criticism. If you really must read everything about the British royal family or the queen, this is a solid offering, yet other readers would probably enjoy Carolly Erickson's masterfully written "Lillibet" much more.

the terrible queen
this was a horrible book. I had to do it for a english project and it didnt help me on bit!!

Very Boring and uninspiring...
That was my impression of the life of the Queen.Very indulgent lifestyle she leads as do her children.Surprised to learn of a different story to Diana's funeral arrangements.That Charles wasn't the supposed "leader" in getting things arranged.Still dissapointed in the Queen for not doing her duty during that time.She seemed jealous of Diana and still seems that way.Disheartened to read that William and Harry distanced themselves from their mother during her relationship with Dodi.Seems Charles didn't have that sort of treatment with his dowdy mistress.So I find that pretty questionable, but who knows.I put it in a category of sensationalism on Lacey's part to try to persuade the reader to find fault in all of Diana's doing.Sad that this sort of criticism still has to happen just to find praise for a very boring, and uninspiring figure and her brood.Her time sitting on the throne is her only 'merit' to her dull reign.She has had to do nothing more and hasn't.

Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee
This book was written to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee and was written with the cooperation of the palace, so there are no new startling revelations about the Queen.She is a person who has zealously guarded her privacy in spite of having to make rather recent concessions, several in connection with the tragic death of Diana, the Princess of Wales, to the media and the public.In fact, one of the major themes is the Queen's and the Royal Family's relationship with and use of the media. MONARCH tends to start off slowly, filling over 80 pages with information about past monarchs like Queen Victoria, and tends to be pretty plodding and dry in parts. It appears to be written for a British audience and the same book is apparently titled ROYAL in Britain...

Not the usual
This is not your usual tell all from an anonymous source - this is history.While she has little real power, she is a woman who has had a remarkable lifeand many varied prime ministers from Churchill to Thatcher to Blair - very different people who all came to respect her and I think surprised by her knowledge of the government and country and how it all works.It also provides some insight into her children's lives and how she was as a parent.This is a very enjoyable book to read and a great followup to Majesty which I also recommend strongly. ... Read more

Book Description

A revealing study of the Queen and her court--their daily lives, concerns, topics of conversation, meals, living condition, travels, successes and failures--that places them firmly within the historical context of 16th century Britain. "...gives us the most intimate portrait...An outstanding and fascinating book."--Punch.


... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Fitting Portrait of England's Greatest Queen
A truly excellent book for someone who, like me, wants to find out not only about the events of Elizabeth's life but also what Elizabeth was like as a person. The writing style is clear and very enjoyable and makes Elizabeth seem alive again. As a schoolboy in England, I studied the Tudor Period, but this book goes way above and beyond what one is taught at school level. I learned so much more about Elizabeth's life and personality, that it has given me a whole new level of respect for someone who I had already held in high esteem. Highly recommended.

Great Elizabeth.
This excellent book paints an unforgettable portrait of Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess" to her loving subjects. Her fascinating life and vibrant personality are caught with great truth and clarity. Elizabeth Regina-LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Delightful summary of a great life.
This book is not a 'life and times' volume. It is single-minded in its telling of Elizabeth's life. I found the book to be captivating. I keep it on my desk at work for those rare days when I don't go out to lunch. I know that I can always open the book to any page and find an interesting story ahead.

Know your Elizabethen History before you begin.
After reading "Feast In The Morning", I found I was hooked on these real people and this era. I just had to know what happened after the death of Elizabeth's brother. This biography covers the entire lifetime of Elizabeth, at times it is very difficult to follow. As a persons name and place names were often the same, and in many cases the author would be talking about Lord Robert Dunley, then later she may refer to him as the Protector or as the Earl of Leicester, or as Leicester or The Earl. As you can see this can get confusing to follow who is who.

This book really gives you the feel of the Queen and her times. Her nemisis Mary Queen of Scots was present throughout Elizabeth's lifetime and had a big influnence on her. Many times I wondered what I would do if faced with Elizabeth's problems, she was very creative.

Many importaint parts of history may have been left out or hardly mentioned, while other unimportaint events were exponded on.

It was interesting to read about the Earl of Oxford and his relationship with the Queen, as now there seems to be a camp of people who believe that he was really Shakespear. The author was recounting their relationship without the knowledge of this controversity. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Unique Lessons
Helen Keller once wrote, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." These words perhaps portray the making of the future Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret of Great Britain from their celebrated birth to their early adult lives. Anne Edwards, an experienced biographer who has written books such as "Queen Mary and the House of Windsor", "Ever After: Diana and the Life She Led", and "Sonya: The Life of Countess Tolstoy", among many others, is no stranger to the British Royal Family. Her thorough research on the subject, extensive notes, and detailed descriptions highly contributed to the understanding of a reader who started out not knowing much about the hierarchy of the British Crown. A book about the adolescent and early adult lives of the two princesses, I found it to be at times, like chicken soup for the reader's soul. It teaches the lesson of not being bitter and jealous through unfavorable and painful experiences and to love from the bottom of your heart by giving all you have. The royal sisters Elizabeth and Margaret have gone through so many unfair and trying circumstances together, and have truly succeeded in carrying out the message that "the great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it" (William James)--just look at all their contributions to the world!

A GRIPPING READ
you will stay up all night to finish this gem, I know i did, it was so fantastic right now i'm loaeded up on caffeine just to finish the work day because i was so addicted on this book that i HAD to stay up all night to savor every little word in this masterpiece! READ IT!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I'd love to meet these women
The previous review covers the book thoroughly and well, but I have to add how entranced I was by the recent photos of the women. You can see in their eyes, their faces, and their posture that they are something special. The previous reviewer called this a high-priced coffee table book and recommended another title for more extensive information about the WASPs, but if you want to understand the heart and soul of these women, spend some time with these photos.

The WASP, then and now
Author Anne Noggle is a veteran of the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASP), organized during World War ll to free male aviators from non-combat duties. American women flew every type of fighter and bomber, from the nimble P-38 Lightning to the massive B-17 "Flying Fortress". They ferried warplanes from factory to front, and helped train young men in flying and targeting. And in September 1944, WASP Anne Baumgartner test-piloted the American prototype jet-fighter, the YP-59A Airacomet. This big, glossy book contains a brief history of the WASP and narrative of their training, accompanied by large, high-quality black-and-white photos of the youthful aviators and their airplanes. Their pride of service is evident in their smiling faces and the praise from military leaders such as Generals Arnold and Eisenhower. Their bittersweet sorrow at their post-war deactivation is described poignantly. They continue to meet annually, and the book concludes with a series of more recent photos of the women, as they appeared in the early 90's. Members of the WASP have attended as guest of honor at the yearly reunions of Russian female WWll combat-aviators. (Ms. Noggle has also authored the marvelous book of interviews and photos of veterans of the Soviet women's air-regiments, entitled "A Dance With Death".) Note: while very attractive, "For God, Country, and the Thrill of It" seems somewhat high-priced for what is basically a coffee-table photo-album. The book is really a personal tribute to Ms. Noggle's comrades. For superior text coverage of the WASP, read "Amelia Earhart's Daughters". ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

avoid at all costs
Having read a number of biographies of Queen Elizabeth II (beginning with The Little Princesses in the 1950s), I can only say that while Erickson does not engage in scandal and innuendo, she is too light-weight to be taken seriously. Any biographer who would refer to Her Majesty as "Lilibet" (only used by immediate family) even when discussing the Queen at the advanced age of 60 and 70 is too silly for words.

Bookschlepper

Okay but on the Fluff Side
A very readable biography but I agree with the previous reviewer that it tends to be a bit on the light and fluff side.Many of her citations for quotes turn out to be from other biographies, most notably Kitty Kelly's THE ROYALS which diminished the seriousness of the work for me.But still, an interesting portrait that highlights the ordinary humanness of the Queen.

Completely Captures Its Subject
Initially, I was wary of reading this book. I thought it had a pretty cover and a relatively intriguing title, but didn't figure that Elizabeth II would be anyone who was fascinating enough to write about. But nonetheless, envisioning a book filled with an agonizingly boring chronicle of this seemingly "deadly dull" woman's life, I began "Lilibet."

And was I ever in for a surprise! Carolly Erickson has done an outstanding job with this biography and completely captured the essence of this queen. The pages keep turning, and it is one of the highest compliments I can give to a biography to say that it "reads" like a good novel-I can certainly say that in this case. Chronicling the Queen's life from birth until 2002, Erickson uses a winning "formula" to ensure a satisfyingly complex character portrait.

Granted, the simple factual matter of "Lilbet" was admirable. Yet other characteristics make "Lilibet" so enjoyable. First, I enjoyed the quotes/testimonials from the queen and others that Erickson used. It sometimes seems in a biography that the quotes chosen are unremarkable and cliche, yet "Lilibet" includes sparklingly memorable quotes from those who know Elizabeth as well as intriguing "morsels" from the queen herself.

Furthermore, "Lilibet" was enhanced by the way English history (and crucial royal family events) were woven into the story line. These happenings are presented to the reader in a clear and interesting manner, and as said, they add richness to the story. Time and time again, Erickson deftly shows how events like the World War 2, the Wallis Simpson incident, and the scandals recently plaguing the royal family played their part in the life of the Queen.

But best of all, the author shows excellent psychological insights during her writing. When I think about why exactly I found this book so fascinating, I realize that it was due in part to the sharply intelligent analysis of Lilibet's character. Erickson does not portray the queen as a "whitened" saint or as a cruel elderly woman-she seems to understand and empathize with the queen's character enough to see both the good and the bad in it.

Solid facts, expert inclusion of history and background information, memorable psychological insight, and just plain an interesting read! What an EXCELLENT biography!

Not much new here
I had read that this was a different kind of biography and it proved to be.There wasn't much I hadn't read before, but I did enjoy the never-before-seen photographs.

If the book is a bit dull, it is because the subject is.The Queen isn't terribly interesting or exciting. I think she is a nice person.A good Christian and very good at her duties which she takes very seriously.Maybe that is enough. I think she relates better to animals than to her family, but that doesn't make her a bad person.

Elizabeth Lite
It is surprising that the author of such fascinating and well-researched biographies such as "The First Elizabeth" and "Great Harry" could also write "Lilibet," a piece of biographical fluff.This book manages to be disrespectful of its subject without offering any juicy insights into her life or reign.The only real shocker is the portrait of Prince Philip who comes across as a bore and a bully with an unfortunate grating laugh.

Erickson is such a gifted biographer, especially her work on the Tudors, that this book is especially disappointing: one expects so much more of her. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

UGH UGH UGH
So much of what's in this book has been proven untrue (Charles was virgin when he got married? The Queen Mum liked Diana?) that I regret wasting my time with this book. If you want to know the "authorized story of the royal family" and a whole lot of political background which has astonishingly little to do with the story of Elizabeth and Philip, this is a great book for you!

Propoganda at its finest!
So much of what's in this book has been proven untrue (Charles was virgin when he got married? The Queen Mum liked Diana?) that I regret wasting my time with this book. If you want to know the "authorized story of the royal family" and a whole lot of political background which has astonishingly little to do with the story of Elizabeth and Philip, this is a great book for you! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I'd give it 10 stars if I could!
I adored this book! It was a gripping read, and I could not put it down! It was such a page turner that I lost many nights sleep just to finish this truly ADDICTING novel. Run, dont't walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick this treasure up as quick as you possibly can! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Although it conscientiously chronicles the marital misadventures of the English queen'soffspring, this solid, evenhanded book devotes more time to assessing Elizabeth's considerable skills as aconstitutional monarch and the political crises confronted and (for the most part) resolved since hercoronation in 1953. On the personal side, Sarah Bradford offers a three-dimensional rendering of a kind,rather unimaginative woman, a devoted wife but distant mother with a tendency to ignore family troubles inthe shortsighted hope that they would simply go away. A nice example of the traditional British biography. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

THE Definitive Book about Queen Elizabeth II
The most detailed book regarding the life of HRH Princess Elizabeth, then Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I've ever read. Anyone with any interest about Great Britain's queen -and her family- definitely should read this book. Although not always flattering, Sarah Bradford has portrayed HM The Queen as a real person, with real, everyday type problems, whose entire life has been dedicated to service to her country, but at the expense of a stable family life. At certain points, it's as if the queen would happily trade in her extravagent, royal lifestyle just to be like everybody else (one of her subjects).

The sources Sarah Bradford uses for her book, along with her own thorough, detailed reseach of HM Queen Elizabeth II, make for fascinating, non-stop, reading.

Interesting and worth a read
This is a very well put together book, well researched and easy to read. I just found much of it very irritating. I think it was possibily because the author was trying extremely hard not to be contraversial or mean about the Queen. I would have liked a more indepth review of the mind of the woman who has led such an amazing life (and ruined her children's lives by refusing to live in the real world). The author is critical of QE2 in that she does put duty before family, but this was not explored deeply enough. I am no major royal supporter, interested in the history more than anything and this book is a great record of QE2's life but I felt that this book was too "naice", not gutsy enough and basically portrayed QE2 as a shallow, cold, personality challenged, protocol obsessive woman. While some of the above comments probably suit her, there must be more to her

An Interesting Read for Some...Tiring for Others
Elizabeth is a well-researched and very detailed chronicle of Her Majesty's life. At times, however, I thought the biography too detailed, especially about the innane and the irrelevant. I appreciated the descriptions about English political dynamics and the role of the monarch in a constitutional kingdom, but the seemingly endless banter about royal affairs were to me a little tabloid-ish. I would have wished for more political and historical context (something in the tradition of Robert Karo's Master of the Senate), but, with Bradford being a titled aristocrat herself, I suppose this is all I can expect. Elizabeth is an interesting read for those interested in royal life, but it will be tiresome for those yearning for a more substantive study of the reigning British monarch and the British government.

Only one minor quibble
There is little in Ms Bradford's account to contradict Eleanor Roosevelt's view of the Royal Family of the 1950s that they were nice people but vastly detached from real life; possibly Mrs Roosevelt would have been less kindly disposed to the irresponsible younger royals of more recent years. It is a considerable feat to render people interesting whose importance derives wholly from their station, and Ms Bradford succeeds admirably in explaining the mystery of why eminent people who are substantial in their own right report so favourably on encounters with the Queen and Prince Philip while being unable because of the convention of not reporting private conversations to say just why. Ms Bradford is entertainingly forthcoming while properly diplomatic on the deficiencies of the lesser royals who are of any importance -- Prince Charles and Lord Mountbatten, for example -- and fills out the hagiography surrounding the Queen Mother with illuminating detail on her amusing inconsistencies. The one quibble I have is with the discussion of various constitutional niceties. Conceivably Ms Bradford's sources in the British and Commonwealth bureaus are as vague as the observations Ms Bradford makes on such matters as the status of Papua and New Guinea prior to their Independence in 1975 (Papua was indeed a British possession, albeit administered by Australia; New Guinea was an Australian UN Trust Territory) or Canada and Australia's respective evolving sovereignty. But these are indeed quibbles and detract only slightly from the overall excellence of the biography. Ms Bradford is a gifted writer and scholar of compelling and persuasive authority and has a mellifluous prose style. One wishes she might now turn her hand to subjects of more weight than the Queen, King George VI and Jackie Kennedy.

A Balanced Biograhy
I found this book very enjoyable and informative. I have read many other biographies of Queen Elizabeth II, but there were some
new details presented here. Nothing shocking or in bad taste.

The author has written fairly about a woman whose life we cannot imagine. You wonder how she has managed to cope these years.

I came away with the belief that the powers that are behind the throne, the men in grey, should be eliminated or at least brought into this century. However, tradition is what keeps Elizabeth going and where would she be without it? ... Read more

Book Description

Pe