Reviews (5)

this is the most moving book I've ever read
at least in a very long time. I picked up the book as soon as received and had a difficult time putting it down. Its been a long time (over 2 years) since Diana's passing but this book made it feel like it was last month. All the feelings and emotions came flooding back & made me remember what a great loss this was to the world. Obviously the writers of the essays etc had very strong emotions towards Princess Diana. The feeling of love for this lady comes pouring out of each story.

One of the best Diana books i've read and ive read some!
While dozens of pictorial testimonials to Princess Diana have already appeared Requiem offers more than eighty written tributes and recollections. Dont buy this book for pictures it leaves that to others. But this 43 year old does not mind saying the tributes and recollections moved him to tears. If you are a Diana fan this book is a must have.

FORGET THE HYPE, THIS IS DIANA
THE GOSSIP AND SNIPING THAT SURROUNDED HER IN LIFE IS CUT TO THE QUICK BY THE HONESTY THAT CAME THROUGH HER DEATH. THIS BOOK PROVIDES A REALISTIC LOOK AT DIANA. A MUST HAVE FOR DIANA COLLECTORS AND DEVOTEES.

A haunting and beautiful book.
Requiem: Diana, Princess of Wales is a beautiful and moving book. While it contains no photographs (except for the cover), it is full of moving tributes and personal accounts of Diana from her friends and many well-known British and American journalists. It also contains various excerpts from newspapers and magazines in the days immediately following her death. Some of the accounts by her friends made you feel like you knew her just that little bit more and also made you wonder what she would have gone on to accomplish had she lived. As I read, I found myself rereading many of the tributes before going on to the next. This is a book I will keep and treasure and undoubtedly reread over the years.

touching and poinent
Easily the best Diana tribute book on the market. It leaves the photographs to others, and instead focuses on collecting a broad selection of comments and thoughts from from magazines, newspapers, politicians, ordinary people etc. ... Read more

Book Description

Though many have written about Diana, Princess of Wales, few have known Diana as intimately as Simone Simmons, the woman who became Diana's close personal friend and confidante following her painful and much-publicized separation and divorce. In 1993, Diana sought seclusion, recovery, and refuge. After meeting Simone at the Hale Clinic where she worked as a healer, Diana invited her to Kensington Palace. Their relationship soon blossomed into a precious friendship, as Diana trusted Simone with her most private thoughts, sharing every detail of her life and loves, her hopes and dreams.

This lovingly written book offers a rare glimpse inside the life of the real Diana, revealing casual, contemplative moments, daily routines, and simple pleasures at home; the secret forays she took, often hiding in plain sight in various disguises, to Hampstead Heath and the jazz clubs of Soho; illuminating insight into her sometimes mercurial changes in temperament, stormy friendships, and complex relationship with the press; her deepest feelings about Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, the royal family, and her two cherished sons, Princes William and Harry; the shocking truth about Diana's one true love and how losing him led her into the arms of playboy millionaire Dodi Fayed; and the astonishing stages of Diana's healing and personal growth, as she transformed herself from emotionally defeated victim to confident and self-reliant role model for millions of women around the world.

A beautiful tribute to the remarkable woman behind the image, here is Diana as we have never seen her before--frank and off-guard, in leggings and plain T-shirts, honest and open and completely at ease. Full of penetrating insight, startling new revelations, and sixteen pages of candid color photographs, Diana: The Secret Years brings the People's Princess vividly to life for the people who love her--and who continue to celebrate her enduring memory and lasting legacy.
... Read more

Reviews (16)

From Trash to Tuth
When I first heard about this book I thought what a load of rubbish, but since it has been written, far too many people have come forward and confirmed everything that Ms. Simmons had been the first to write about. Leading world figures and close friends of Diana have spoken out in TV interviews and other books about the Princess, which now gives this book total credibility and shows it to be 100% truthful. All the facts about Diana's private life have been revealed here and it's very sad that so few people appreciated this book when it was first written.

The fact is that this book is the story of a friendship between two women who shared many emotional experiences, helped each other and grew together - despite obvious class differences. The way in which Ms. Simmons remembers Diana is very touching indeed. She was obviously a true friend whom I believe Diana did ask to write a book and "tell it like it is".

Very Interesting Reading
I own practically every book ever written about Diana, Princess of Wales, but I think this has to be the most interesting account ever written. I loved it - it's very well-written, very insightful into her personality, and contains information I had never known before. It truly does explore "the secret years" of Diana's life in the 1990s. As a healer and close friend of Diana's, Simone Simmons had access to knowledge and personal details of Diana's life. But rather than seeing this account as a betrayal, I see it rather as a healer's insight into a unique personality. Much of what is written here is a healer's psychoanalysis of Diana's mind. I continue to be a great fan of Princess Diana's and am thrilled to have come across this book. You won't be able to put it down!

Fascinating, insightful and under-rated
What an under rated book this is. I've just finished reading it, after Paul Burrell's book in which he speaks so well of Miss Simmons' friendship with Princess Diana. Although I'd heard of the book, but not Ms. Simmons, I took Burrell's mention of her as a recommendation.

I was surprised that some of the so-called "new" revelations in our newspapers and on our TV, were first written about in this book which was published in 1998.

I found this a genuine and very warm account of a close personal friendship between the author and the Princess. I'm just sorry I never read this earlier.

load of bunkum
This is the biggest load of trash I have ever read. A complete fabrication by the author IMO. I'm just glad Diana is not around to read this utter rubbish.

The Private Diana
I had vowed never to read, much less buy, another book about Diana, but I read the excerpts and decided I wanted to read more.

The author tells us about the problems Diana had in her everyday life in a matter-of-fact way. She is not overly sympathetic, but relates what happened. Unfortunately she was one of the friends/helpers Diana had turned away from by the time of her death and Ms. Simmons describes why. I think if the accident hadn't happened they'd have made up by now.

This book doesn't praise or bash a very sad and mixed-up young woman. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Diana. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For those interested in a personal slide show of the late Princess of Wales, royal commentator Anthony Holden's full-color photo essay, with more than 150 images from Diana's life, might be the closest you'll get. Thick, glossy, and laden with moving quotes from her famous, eclectic mix of friends--Henry Kissinger, Elton John, and Mother Teresa, among others--Her Life & Her Legacy is a polished and engaging tribute to the princess. Said Nelson Mandela: "She was an ambassador for victims of landmines, war orphans, the sick and needy throughout the world. She was undoubtedly one of the best ambassadors of Great Britain." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lovely book
Anthony Holden has put together a lovely tribute to the late Princess of Wales. It's a well designed book, with nice pictures (from Diana's formal portraits to her everyday life) and engaging text. If you like to collect Princess Diana memorabilia, this book would make a fine addition to your bookcase.

A poignant book that captures many facets of Diana's life
This book is one of the best I have seen that respectfully looks at Diana's life and her impact on others. Using Diana's own words, quotes from others who knew her, and expressive photographs, the author captures the many facets of Diana's life that made her so unique. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

For Diana, her final year was in many ways the most fascinating and insightful of her life. It was a turbulent, often amazing period in which she formally severed her marriage ties to the heir to the British throne, fell passionately in love with Dodi al-Fayed, and truly began to come into her own after years of personal adversity.

In the first hours and days after the news of Diana's death in Paris shocked the world, major media outlets from CNN to NBC turned to Donald Spoto for help in articulating the meaning of the tragedy and understanding its effect on the British monarchy, the worldwide public who admired and loved her, and, most important, her own family.

In Diana: The Last Year, Spoto tells for the first time the complete story of a woman in conflict. Diana was driven by a philanthropic desire to relieve suffering and change the world for the better. But she was also determined to make up for a youth that was taken from her, at the age of nineteen, when she entered the restrictive and, from her perspective, decidedly chilly House of Windsor. Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, Diana in her last year was re-creating her public and private self. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Shows her the way she was
While Andrew Morton's "Diana Her True Story" and "Diana Her New Life" chronicled the Princess's unhappy life in the Royal Family prior to her 1996 divorce from Dumbo Ears (sorry, Prince Charles), Donald Spoto's account describes her life post divorce until her tragic and untimely death. In the process he highlights all the aspects of her character, both good and bad, that caused the world to fall in love with her forever. This is a great tribute to you, dear Diana. May you rest eternally in peace.

An Account of Diana's Last, Frantic Year
A good accounting of Diana's last year as she was spinning out of control. When you read about all of her comings and goings you wonder if she had any idea of how it would turn out? Did she know it would soon end?

One of my favorite books about her. I wonder about the Royal Family and how they manage to keep going. Is a puzzlement.

Book that focuses on the most important aspect of Diana
This is an excellent book that towers on the other biographies because this book doesn't dwell on tawdry scandal, but simply concentrate on the most important aspect of Diana: her charity work. No other book has covered her good deeds so well. The only problem with the book, and it is small problem is the somwhat heavy-handed use of poems.

Shows all.... but with a quality of mercy
One gets the full story from Soto. You don't get every salvo from the war of the Wales.But does one need that? Important facts, such as Diana's understanding that the 10,000 bouquet from the public, was as important as her first, are there.

I felt he understood Diana and her impact on people better than most. It' has a tenderness that's vital when considering her life.

The book I recommend when asked about Diana books.

ONE OF THE BEST DIANA BOOKS AVAILABLE!!!
I have been reading books on Princess Diana since 1981 and this has to be one of the best. Diana, The last year has to be one of the better written books on Diana. It is worth the money and is the type of book that you will go back to time and time again ... Read more

Book Description

Based on testimony from some of Princess Diana¹s closest friends, Diana ‹ Her Last Love offers a new insight into Diana¹s world and the events central to the last years of her life. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Diana's True Love Wasn't Dodi!
After reading this book, I am convinced that the author speaks the truth. Hasnat Khan's name comes up in several books, and they all state Diana felt strongly for him. I do believe she was with Dodi Fayed to make Mr. Khan jealous. I certainly can picture her with a heart surgeon more easily than I can with a playboy who didn't know what to do with all his money. I also read Paul Burrell's book, "A Royal Duty" and he alludes to Diana's true love, though he doesn't give him a name. He does say it was not Dodi. I believe that had Diana lived, she would have possibly married Hasnat Khan, or at least maintained a loving relationship with him. She didn't know Dodi well enough to even think of marrying him; the relationship was simply a summer fling. It's sad that she did not live to see that happiness with Dr. Khan come to fruition.

DIANA, her last love
I think that the author tells the truth but I don't agree with her,I think Diana was manipulative, she planned several strategies to win Hasnat back including using the media and Dodi to make the doctor jealous.The pess describes him like a playboy, a bad man, but he was the only man who loved her so much, he was very kind with her.His life looked like her life: his mother leaved his father when he was 3 years old,he was a mediocre student,he loved to have beautiful women because he didn't like to stay alone , he believed women loved him only for his money.Sometimes he prefers to stay with a woman who did not really love him, because he didn't like to be alone.He has insecure behavior.in the past diana manipulated media in order to send a power message but this timesI think she really cruel woman because when someone was in love with you , you should't joke with his feelings, and used media to create illusion of love,it's really unbearable to an human being. I read a lot of books about Diana: her true story by andrew Morten death of a princess by Thomas sancton and Scott Macleod, the day Diana died by christopher andersen , shadows of a princess by p d Jephson
In fact I was a great Diana 's fan but when I read this book I didn't like her anymore. The media show us a superficiel dodi's picture. people have been influenced by the press

Better than I thought it would be!
Based upon the other Amazon.com reviewers, I didn't expect much from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The writing is good, a little hero-worshiping of Diana comes through but that's OK. I notice she only interviewed some of the more wacko or cheeseball "friends" of Diana (Simone Simmons, the faith healer, taken seriously?? but I guess Diana took her seriously at one time). However, at least you learn more about Hasnat Khan & his background (sounds like a really nice person, and all his family too) than you do from any other Diana book. I can't agree that Diana was a stronger person at the end of her life -- she seemed to be very immature still. Imagine taking up with Dodi Fayed to make another man jealous, sure he was a multi-millioniare but please, the guy had had so many women (what did he tell Diana about his fiance, Kelly Fisher??)...I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole. That's mature, strong behavior? I think she was so devastated when Dr. Khan finally broke it off, that she went into a tailspin & into her old, self-destructive, immature behavior. Manipulative, too, if you believe that she planned for the "Kiss" picture & the others being taken (which I believe). The author doesn't agree with my thoughts but she doesn't force the issue, she just mentions that other friends thought Diana sounded strong at what turned out to be the end of her life. It's an interesting book, not the best one on Diana but thoughtful & brings out some unknown background on her relationship with Hasnat Khan.

Total Fiction
Kate Snell's book is 100% fiction. She said the relationship between Diana and Dodi was not serious.

Few months agao a priest broke his three- year silence to reveal how Princess Diana confessed her love for Dodi Fayed - and was going to marry him.

Father Frank Gelli said the Princess even asked him if he could conduct her wedding ceremony. She confided in the highly- respected Church of England minister at secret meetings in the weeks before she and Dodi were killed.

The cover photo is the best part
This book isn't one to really enjoy. Ms. Snell uses other books(listed in back) as references, no real problem with that but then she goes further and uses anonymous sources. I never really like that because you have no way of knowing how good that source is or whether or not they might have a grudge against the subject. I suspect that some enemies of the Princess more than her friends contributed, that stuff about Diana trying to pay Simone Simmons with gifts instead of cash is an example of this. Anything I've ever read indicates to me that she most likely would not have done this (although she could be very generous with gifts), that would be a trait more of the born Royals. The love life details, are they true? I don't know, the Princess is dead and Hasnat Khan isn't talking. A person should also remember that in 1997 his relatives embarassed him by talking so much, sounds to me like they're still at it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Best Diana Book Ever!!!
This is the best book on Diana ever written.There are a lot of great "picture books", but this tells great details about her life(as we all thought it was)If my house was on fire,and I could only grab one of my MANY Diana books,this would be it.7,000 stars,five does not do it justice!!

Very Pleased with this Book
This book has pictures that I've not seen elsewhere. It also has interesting descriptions of Diana's home, indepth information about her working day, and insights on her personality.

The most pleasing thing about this book is that it is unbiased. I am also glad that it is straight-forward with no mud-slinging and no sensationalism. Unlike Princess Diana books coming into bookstores in the near future, this book does not cheapen her memory.

Same Old Thing, But Less Of It
This was going to be the only book I was going to buy after Diana's death, since I have been collecting books, etc. written about her since 1981. I bought it, read it, and found it to be so incredibly out-dated and full of lies (pre-Andrew Morton bulemia confession, etc.) that I returned it to the store to get my money back. ... Read more

Book Description

"England's Rose": She was the engaging Princess Bride who captured the admiration of the World. Hear a moving audio tribute to Princess Diana - plus comments about her life in her own words. Other major world figures and family immortalize her in this release. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Exquisite eyes/heart glimpse into a marvelous woman!
This is an amazing illustration and revelation of one of our world's most talented designers who also happened to be one of Princess Diana's most astounding friends and helpers in that wondrous world called royalty. I found the tale of Catherine Walker so informative yet I was still left with numerous questions as to some of the details surrounding her life before and after she became famous. The photographs are gorgeous and reveal some interesting examples of a lady who truly fits the description designer. Catherine Walker will always be one of the world's most gifted dress makers but I'm still curious as to how one would go about actually seeing her shop or, imagine this, buying one of her creations. Undoubtedly she deals with only the rich & famous while all the time remaining in the background. This is one among many of my Princess Diana books I cherish because of its detail and marvelous focus on a multitude of gowns and their intricate pieces. Catherine Walker is an amazing woman who has truly lived a life from tragedy to fairy tale status. I am an avid admirer. This book is far more than pages/pictures between covers; it's a gift of for the eyes and heart! Wonderful!

excellent
catherine walker not only lets us in on the life of princess diana, but in on her own life as well. catherine walker rose above tragedy and carved out a place for herself in fashion history. an excellent book for diana fans, as well as fashion fans.

expensive, interesting, not all Diana
Some interesting material presented here, would've been nice had Diana lived to write a forward for it. Anyone buying this book with the idea of getting a lot of Diana material will see some of that. You will also be getting, as the title says, a lot of autobiographical material about Ms. Walker. No scandalous stories,many good photos, not all of them of the Princess. I personally think someone wanted to boost the sales by emphasizing the Diana link.

FANTASTIC!
I happened upon this book one afternoon on my lunch hour. How I missed it's release I will never know. I went back that night and read it cover to cover and then bought it. It is perhaps the definitive book about the inside details about Diana's life, but also about Catherine Walker's as well. The book was clearly not meant to be another glossy "Diana" book rehashing all of the same old information. It was a guide to life with pictures and sketches. I laughed, I cried, I still read it about once a week. It is inspirational. If you are looking to read a book about Diana that has nothing new to say, do not read this book. If, however, you are a serious follower of the world of coture (and Catherine Walker) this book is a must. You will finish it and feel as if you were there during the fittings. BRAVO!

A wealth of couture and life
The night the book arrived from London, I read it cover to cover. It offered me a glimpse into the elegant world of fashion and royalty. Ms Walker provided her view of her world with a very human, caring all the while impassioned tone. This is an inspirational book to be read by afficionados of the late Princess Diana and the world of couture. A success story, not stymied by tragedy. The perfect gift for any occasion. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A nice tribute
Like much of the rest of the world, I was captivated by then-Lady Diana Spencer as she became known to the world through her association with Prince Charles, and I followed the developments with interest through the build-up to the royal wedding, the early marriage, the difficult years, and finally, Diana's tragic death in Paris in 1997. Her death was a stunning blow to many; one is reminded of the song 'you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone', for the world seemed to stop for the tragedy, which is still being played out in various sectors to this day.

There really was a fairy-tale aspect to Diana's life - she was always larger than life, and being perhaps the most photogenic royal of all time, every newspaper, periodical and media outlet wanted to be on hand to document her every move. This was certainly no fairy-tale existence for her, as she recounted in various ways to her few friends; one will likely never know the complete story of her life and death, but there are enough strands about that one can piece together happy times and sad times.

This particular book is one of the many that appeared shortly after her death, as people everywhere scrambled to get a last remembrance or memorial of Diana, as if her death would stop the production and sale of her story and image. It has many of the 'standard' photographs one has come to expect in any royal-family or Diana book - pictures well known now around the world from her childhood, courtship, marriage, and funeral.

The book is divided into six primary sections: Diana's Early Life; Diana and Charles; Diana the Devoted Mother; Diana, Queen of Hearts; Diana and Friends; and finally, Goodbye England's Rose. Here there is a very basic history, essentially free of controversy and strife, recounting merely the basic facts with stoicism tinted with a bit of sadness of the break-up of the world's most famous marriage. The photographs include the famous balcony scenes after the wedding, Diana alone in front of the Taj Mahal (a symbol of great love from another royal husband), Diana with her sons, and finally, pictures of the funeral and the island in the Spencer estate.

It is sad to look back after these many years at the glamourous pictures, realising the back-story that was taking place at the time. I collected royal books for many years prior to this, and this is not an exceptional book either in content or in style, but is rather made exceptional by the subject, Diana herself, and the obvious care the author (a correspondent of Independent Television Network in Britain) and compilers devoted in bringing things so quickly to the public.

More will be written of Diana, surely, but the record of Diana must certainly be a visual one, complete with photographs, and this collection represents many of the best.

This is a great tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.
This was one of the first books which I purchased after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. This book has been read and appreciated many times by me. One is taken through Diana's childhood, through her teenage years, through her coursthip with Prince Charles, through her marriage, through her charities, through her untimely and tragic death, and through her funeral services. As far as I'm concerned, Dodi could have been omitted.

In the Foreward, Trevor McDonal, OBE, writes: "The sudden and tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales affected the people of Britain and the world as perhaps no other event in modern times.

"...Her death seemed to touch the chord that unites us all as people, as members of the vast and disparate human race, as partners in the great of nations. I have come to believe that there are several reasons why this is so. Diana had become, by the time of her death, an international superstar like no other before her. Although she was no longer married to the Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne, her superstar status was underpinned by her royal connections. To all intent and purposes she was regarded by her millions of admirers as fully royal, touched by thr indescribable regal magic. Another reason is that she was stunningly beautiful, In an age when technology enables pictures to flatter their subject unashamedly, Diana's good looks outdid the photographer's art. As Shakespeare's Cleopatra was described, Diana's entrance into a room 'beggared all description.'...

"Many of us in the media knew the Princess well. She had a great sense of humor, laughed easily and was unfailingly charming. But she could also be wilful and manipulative and was always ambivalent about how much of her royal status she wanted to use and when. Diana was no saint. She made silly mistakes and even grosser misjudgements. She was not infallible. But then niether are we. Part of her charm was her vulnerability. She was very human and it is now obvious from her many tributes to her, that she was capable of showing great humanity. When it was clear that she would never be Queen of England, Diana said, with what seems like wonderful prescience, that she wanted to be Queen of People's Hearts, The People's Princess. The response by the pepople to her death suggests that she achieved, in overwhelming measure, everything that she wanted to be.

"The undoubted value of this book lies in the simple fact that the images it contains will never die...the pictures of the glamous Princess; the pictures of her with her boys, the young Princes, who she loved so much. And then there are those forever haunting images of her coffin arriving back from Paris and the panorama of scenes of her funeral on the day an entire nation stopped to pay its respects. These will be pointed at and talked about long into the twenty-first century.

"They show that in her short life, marked by pinnacles of joy and depths of despair, Diana, Princess of Wales, became an icon who captured the world's imagination as no other public figure of our time."

The above quote sums up this book. It is beautifully written and contains pictures both in color and in black and white. Anyone who collects books on Diana, Princess of Wales, will certainly want this book ... Read more

Amazon.com

Within hours of the death of Princess Diana, conspiracy theories began to fly thickly across the Internet. Within 10 days, a book called Who Killed Diana? was on the bookshelves in Cairo, claiming that the princess and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed were assassinated by the British government to ensure that neither Diana, her sons, nor any future children would convert to Islam. In our conspiracy-obsessed age, such a scenario seems as likely as any other currently making the rounds, be it the faked deaths of Elvis and Jim Morrison or aliens stockpiled in a government warehouse, but as authors Thomas Sancton (the Time magazine Paris bureau chief) and Scott MacLeod (the magazine's Middle East correspondent) point out in exhaustive detail, the fatal car accident was almost undoubtedly the result of poor judgment, coincidence, and plain bad luck.

The pair conducted interviews with such key figures as Dodi's father, Mohammed, and several of the paparazzi who were first on the scene, and they give a detailed account of the events leading up to the accident, as well as profiles of all the participants, most extensively the driver Henri Paul and the princess's Egyptian boyfriend. Unlike the popular image of a macho cocaine-snorting party guy, Dodi is revealed to have been a sweet and rather insecure figure whose enormous generosity was often taken advantage of. With much personal charisma but little aside from wealth and privilege to mark him as extraordinary, he seems to have been a natural match for his stellar consort. --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The five stars are only for what the book proves
While this book was written too quickly after Diana's death and the authors didn't have a lot of the facts at their disposal, it proves one thing - that the deaths of Diana and Dodi were only an ACCIDENT! Come on people! Who is going to murder the Princess of Wales in one of the safest vehicles on the planet, and what secret agency in their right mind would use a CAR ACCIDENT to kill somebody? Let's be logical here - there ARE more efficient ways to commit murder!

Excellent - Well worth the read
I have always been fascinated by Princess Diana, so I had to read the book investigating her tragic death. The authors supplied background information on Princeess Diana and Mr. al-Fayed and provided extensive research regarding the accident. I had some questions before reading the book, and now I have many more. I am anxiously awaiting the publication of the reports regarding this untimely accident.

Thorough reporting for its time
Sancton and Mac Leod did one hell of a job, considering the book was published but a few months after Diana and Dodi's deaths.

They investigate the conspiracy theories that were floating around then and give evidence to either support or discredit them but they allow enough space for you to be the judge of whether the theory is based in fact or fiction.

It was impossible for the book to have come to any kind of ending, conclusive or not, because at the time it was written, evidence was still being sorted out, arraignments were being made, and people were being interviewed. In short, everything was still a mess.

I would highly recommend this book for its unbiased reporting and also for the minute by minute account of Diana and Dodi's last day alive.

Death of a Princess: The Investigation by Thomas Sancton
I liked this book. Very interesting. I followed all the media news and just could not get enough to satisfy my curiosity until I read this book. I don't know why I have been so touched by her death? It is a mystery to me, also? I just liked her when she was alive and was shocked at hearing about her accident. I, too, ordered the tape of John Elton's song about her. I want to thank all the readers who gave their comments on this book, it helped me to buy this book.

Not Conclusive
Interesting facts about the papparazzi and the holiday leading up to the accident which killed Diana. The chapter reporting the engineer's finding is not only technical, but gives supporting proof of a collision with a Fiat prior to the deadly collision with the 13th pillar of the Alma Tunnel. This book gives a handful of theories to think about, but the only thing not convincing to me is the conspiracy theory that the Princess was going to wed Dodi. The ending is not conclusive. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good book about Diana
Although this book is now outdated, it gives a great insight on Diana's wardrobe preferences, her views on food additives, and her many beauty treatments that she used to indulge in. I enjoyed the book, and I often check it out to remind me of Diana's exciting life. ... Read more

Book Description

Book is coffee-table (9 by 12 inch glossy) format, ideal for gift-giving.Published in the USA.It has over 150 color pictures of Princess Diana's career and compelling text by Susan Maxwell Skinner, a noted royal author.Stunning pictures are by royal photographer Anwar Hussein.Every copy of this limited edition book is signed by the author.It is not available from stores.Exquisitely designed, it is printed on heavy, glossy paper.The text is Maxwell Skinner's fond reminiscence of her eight years as an accredited palace press member. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very touching and Very lovely. She's an angel.
Very touching and very lovely. You'll learn more about Diana and her biography. This is a definite recommendation for your free time. I haven't seen any loyal princes or princesses that are this determined to change the world for the poor and the unfortunate children.

Very lovely written.

Diana: A Fresh Perspective
The story of Diana Princess of Wales has been told many times - indeed, some would say too many times. Susan Maxwell Skinner's 'Diana: Memory of a Rose' therefore comes as a welcome surprise. The story she presents is both compelling and unusual for several reasons.

Firstly, it focuses on the celebrity factor in Diana's life and her success. Maxwell Skinner astutely notes that the Diana the public got to know and fall in love with was in fact the product of a celebrity culture; that is, a society that likes its heroes and heroines pre-packaged by the media, and Diana knew how to capitalise on that.

Secondly, it is told from the perspective of a person able to combine objective reporting with a highly imaginative and lively style of writing. Maxwell-Skinner was a feature writer long before joining the press gang who followed Diana's every movement during the period of her engagement and marriage to Charles, and as such she really knows how to interest and entertain a reader while communicating essential information.

This brings me to my third point-the story is detailed related so economically that I did not feel I was being overwhelmed by unnecessary or irrelevant information. The combination of word and image is particularly effective in this regard. The book is packed with a wealth of photographic images of Diana many of which have not been seen before (the photographs are by Anwar Hussein but selected by Maxwell-Skinner). Stunning though these images are in their own right they are given added life by the stories and captions which accompany them. The effect is that we forget neither the images or the text in a hurry.

For me the highlight of the book was the chapter on the Diana paintings. This helps underscore one of the main strengths of the book- its willingness to deal in variety. Not only do we see a variety of painters' styles, but the book offers a variety of topics (Diana's school years, the wedding, her role as mother and champion of humanitarian projects and causes, her clothes, the paintings and her funeral, her burial place, etc, etc). Variety is there in the photographs too for not all portray Diana at her most glamourous or beautiful.

Finally, the treatment accorded to the personality of Diana herself is fresh and original. Maxwell-Skinner does not make the common mistake of claiming to know or fully understand Diana as a person. Rather, the focus is on the difference that Diana made to the author's and other people's lives, and why and how she has attained her legendary status. The result is a book that is at once a delight to read and a great pleasure to look at. Highly recommended for seasoned Dianaphiles and also for those who are wanting an accessible and concise introduction to the Diana phenomenon.

An enthusiastic reader from Melbourne, Australia.

Best Diana Book In Years
I was very delighted to find Susan Maxwell Skinner 's Diana: Memory of a Rose
under my tree this year. Firstly the photos will knock any Diana fan flat.
So many were new to me and so stunning ...this alone makes it a must have for those
who love Diana.

But there's so much more! I loved the quotes from Diana and learning what went on at events.
We have see Diana pictures, but so often we are given little background about where
and what was happening! It's an unexpected treat to learn what was going on!

Ms Skinner was there, and after you read the book. you feel you were there too!
The magic that was Diana is conveyed wonderfully .

Ms Skinner is a professorial royal reporter and one can see her at work in her earlier Diana book.
But this book is personal and all she couldn't say while Diana was part of her job is here in the
heart felt text . A joy to read!

Two Journeys..One Rose
If you loved Diana, you will love" Diana, Memory of a Rose." I did.
The book recalls a young bride -- destined for world adulation --
through the eyes of a young reporter, who stood on the sidelines and
witnessed the transformation. The book is a personal reminiscence of a
magical time, when Diana and the world believed in happily ever after.

"Memory of a Rose" is a beautiful, sincere book, with many stunning
pictures and -- what lacks in so many Diana books -- heartfelt

affection for the Princess. Susan does not pretend this modern heroine
was a saint, but recognises that it was Diana's extraordinary courage,
humor and belief in love that triumphed over frailties and heartbreaks.

The book honors Diana as a mother, a humanitarian and someone who always
tried desperately hard. Throughout this compassionate account of the
Diana years, we are reminded that a rose who bloomed to inspire us --
with such beauty and courage as Diana -- was worth any and all thorns.

Memorable pictures brought to life by a great writer
The book is a remarkable collection of pictures by Anwar Hussein, and a glorious narration by Susan Maxwell Skinner. What I liked most about this book is that the author added a new dimension to every snapshot: Namely, letting us vividly experience what the writer experienced being right there with the princess. Ever wondered what Lady Di might have informally uttered in one of your favorite photographs of her? Wonder no more. Susan sets the scene for the reader, Anwar's camera captures the princess and then Susan brings the picture to life as only she can. With her authentic anecdotes, memoirs and a rich collection of Diana's quips and extempore remarks, I was able to reconcile and reaffirm, once again, my image of a sincere, true People's Princess. First you get tears in your eyes when you reminisce Diana in the wonderful pictures. Then you wipe those tears and smile again as you are captivated by Susan's story telling. And the stories are as authentic as the pictures themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

The revelations in Andrew Morton's bestselling Diana: Her True Story --among them, Prince Charles's long-term affair and Princess Diana's eating disorder and suicide attempts -- were initially greeted with disbelief. But Morton's claims have all been born out, and Charles and Diana separated in December 1992. Now, again with exceptional access to some of Diana's closest friends and advisors, Morton delivers the truth about the Princess of Wales as she struggles to rebuild her life...on her own terms.

Diana: Her New Life chronicles the secret battles that have raged behind closed doors -- including Diana's fury at Charles hiring of a "surrogate mother" under the guise of assistant private secretary -- and details Diana's private thoughts on her retirementfrom public duties, remarriage, her future ambitions, and more. Riveting and explosive, Diana: Her New Life shows the princess learning at last to become a woman in her own right rather than a puppet of the palace. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not as juicy as Diana: Her True Story
but just as good. This book is an update on Diana since her separation from Charles in 1992 and what the future could hold for Diana as a single woman.

Unfortunately, only a year after her divorce, we got the answer, and it wasn't good.

Palace Intrigue is Alive & Well in This Century
Without question, this is a book sympathetic to Diana's side, and justifiably so. The grey-suited eunuchs of Buckingham Palace have never done the monarchy a favor by meddling in the marriages of the royal family. Morton tells the tale of Diana, her remarkable courage and resourcefulness, and her feelings of alienation, in the face of a smear campaign that would have shriveled us lesser mortals. Diana is a flawed, but nevertheless feeling, human being who did not deserve the ill treatment she received at the hands of her prince and his minions. This is an interesting book to read in light of what's happened since the book's publication in 1994. One can believe that Diana's death may not have been an accident.

An interesting book,it made you feel asif you were there.
I loved this book, I felt as if I was there writing the book as it happened,rather than reading the book years after it happened. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Diana's Life In An Audible Nutshell
So unique!!! Not overly narrated, this four-sided "anthology" is a collection of speeches, stories, ceremonies and sermons spoken by Diana, her family and acquaintences; beginning with her birth and ending with her death. Besides Diana, herself, we hear from the Queen as a young woman and present-day; also, President and Mrs. Clinton, Nelson Mandella, Mother Theresa, and many others. We also hear a story from Diana's second cousin, which is humorous and interesting, but I didn't entirely understand why it was included--thus the four stars, instead of five. This collection is absolutely enjoyable to listen to over and over again and leaves the listener wanting to hear more! ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive account of visits to Palm Beach by Princess Diana and other members of the royal family, and the events and impact of Diana's death -- both internationally and in Palm Beach. This book represents personal social contact, 12 years of research, and PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED observations... including Diana's eating disorder. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Say what you will about the author of The Real Diana, but Lady Colin Campbell certainly is no practitioner of noblesse oblige. This is a book for those who like their gossip explicit and in large quantities, and who aren't bothered by little details like verifiable attribution. (The vast majority of quotes in this book are from "a member of the Wales household," "a lady-in-waiting," "a courtier," and most ironically of all, "a friend.") Lady Campbell claims to be the person whom Diana first approached to write the tell-all biography that Andrew Morton was later to author. And though she turned down that opportunity, this is her second publication to cash in on her "insider status" (Diana in Private was her first), which is seemingly a reference to her title by marriage and a casual acquaintance with the princess.

With its paucity of named sources, it's probably impossible to authoritatively separate fact from fiction in The Real Diana, though it does seem that what with affairs, petty vengeances, and temper tantrums, Di would have had little time left for her courtly duties. Campbell's style is lively enough, and she has some interesting insights into the modern British aristocracy and its unconventional values. But are you truly curious to learn not only the details of the late princess's lovers' techniques, but also the names of the two therapists Diana went to for colonic irrigation? --John Longenbaugh ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Very biased against the Princess!
I enjoy reading every detail about Princess Diana I can get my hands on, good and bad, so I can get some idea of what this person was like. I have adored Diana since I was a young girl.

However, this book was very biased against Diana and basically does make anything positive written about Diana seem as though it was just written to please the Princess.

Also, she pretty much says that Diana was sleeping around long before Charles did, yet other books I've read indicate not only was he with Camilla, but also did cheat on Diana even around William's birth with a lady in Canada that he saw on and off even while he was just with Camilla.

I've seen some recent interviews, and other published books which actually cite NAMES of people who have nothing to gain now the Princess is dead, and dispute what this author has to say.

So it is fun gossip, albeit cruel, but take it with a grain of salt.

Also, I could not find documentation of Diana's abortion anywhere, and I would think by now more explicit details would have come out about it. This is the first and last I've heard of it and would really like to know if it is indeed true.

Life is too short to read this
The content of Lady Campbell's book is disgraceful, the writing poor, and the publication questionable. She is relentlessly biased against the late Princess of Wales, and in this book, as in the TV appearances she makes as a self-styled "friend" of the late Princess, criticizes the Princess relentlessly, pettily, and baselessly. With friends like this, who needs enemies?

Have just started the book so don't have a rating
I felt I had to post a review even tho I haven't finished the book. Was doing some research on Lady Colin Campbell ne Georgie Ziadie who was born in Jamaica.

Reviewers who have made fun of her birth defect should be ashamed of themselves. The Adams apple appeared after she was given male hormones. She ran away from those doctors and discontinued medication. Surgery corrected her problem which her parents didn't know how to handle when she was born.

Reviews should only be about books and writing style. Not personal problems. There is no reason to be so cruel. This is not the place to discuss it.

Suspicious of the "Washington, DC" review by a reader
I am going to agree with the other reviwers that this particular review sounds suspicious. The tone reminds me of Lady Campbell's book itself and I found it rather juvenile to accuse reviewers who did not favor this book --and rightly so if I may add, lacking brain cells. In fact, if you like the tone of the Washington, DC review where "a reader" looks down on the "unwashed" Americans, you'll love Colin's book.

I think the issue here is that the "Real Diana" is not a worthwhile read. I don't think the Americans are looking for books that idolize Diana, everybody including those who are "unwashed" can tell fiction from non-fiction. We know when we have been duped another ()bucks for what is really fiction passed on as the truth and feel frustrated.

Vindictive tone, ridiculous observations....
I have read a lot of Diana books and this is by far the worst. It is such an unjustified trash that I put my Hardcover copy in the recyclables bin. "Lady" Colin Powell goes so far as accusing Diana overreacting to Wills's accident when the young Prince cracked his skull at school. Right there you know as the reader this woman has got a vendetta against Princess Diana. Diana wanting to stay at William's side in the hospital while he underwent an operation bothers Lady Powell !... The feeling I got from reading this book was one of intense unfairness. It seemed as though the author was desperate to gain the favor of the royal establisment, namely Prince Charles and his family. ... Read more