Elizabeth the Queen:
The Life of a Modern Monarch
by Sally Bedell Smith
The Life of a Modern Monarch
by Sally Bedell Smith
Length: 21 hrs 20 min
Format: Audiobook
Price: Free via Overdrive
How I Heard: I read Diana, Her True Story because I stumbled upon it at the library, but I was looking for a biography on the queen. When I saw this one on Overdrive, I thought PERFECT.
Basic Premise: This biography of Elizabeth II chronicles the queen's life and reign, beginning with the abdication of her uncle, Edward the VIII, the reluctant reign of her father, George VI, and her premature ascension to the throne at the age of 26. It follows through her marriage and family life, the larger diplomatic and societal struggles of her reign, and the challenges her children and their spouses have posed to the monarchy. Having been published in 2012, it would seem that it concludes somewhat prematurely.
Price: Free via Overdrive
How I Heard: I read Diana, Her True Story because I stumbled upon it at the library, but I was looking for a biography on the queen. When I saw this one on Overdrive, I thought PERFECT.
Basic Premise: This biography of Elizabeth II chronicles the queen's life and reign, beginning with the abdication of her uncle, Edward the VIII, the reluctant reign of her father, George VI, and her premature ascension to the throne at the age of 26. It follows through her marriage and family life, the larger diplomatic and societal struggles of her reign, and the challenges her children and their spouses have posed to the monarchy. Having been published in 2012, it would seem that it concludes somewhat prematurely.
My Take: 7 out of 10 (scale here)
Obviously, because of my extensive knowledge on the queen gleaned from watching The Crown, I fancied myself the expert. (Did you appreciate my very British phrasing there?) Having recently watched the second season, I can say there were few surprises. However, as I went on, I realized I was, in effect, getting spoilers. My expertise really starts in the 80s, so the rest of the 60s and all of the 70s was a blank slate. It was interesting to see the things the show included and skipped as opposed to Smith's account. There were a few that weren't mentioned in the biography, which caused me to wonder about their historical accuracy. (There is a historical companion to the show, but I have not read it. I put it on my Christmas list, but then I thought that was displaying my obsession a little too broadly, so I took it off.) Overall, though, the picture of the queen, painted both by the show and this biography, is that she is the essence of poise and dignity, but isn't afraid to ride her horses, yell at the races, adjust to the times, and occasionally (though rarely), do the unexpected.
I haven't figured out royal biographies yet. This was clearly an unauthorized biography, although Smith has met Queen Elizabeth several times. She frequently quoted Charles's biographer, or Philip's biographer, so there is some sort of official capacity for biographers, I just haven't figured that system out. I don't know if the biographer is assigned by the palace, or whether the object picks someone they like, or whether Queen Elizabeth's official biography has been all but completed and he/she is just waiting for the queen to kick the bucket...? I don't know. Either way, I was pretty pleased with this one. There were times where I felt she was stretching, grasping for something meaningful to report, but overall, I liked it. Smith has also written a biography of Princess Diana and has recently released a biography of Prince Charles. Having just read about (and frankly, feeling a little tired of) Diana, I'm not really up for that one, and as Charles is perhaps the royal personality I find least interesting, I'll be skipping that one, too. Maybe if she writes one on Kate, Meghan, or one of the boys...
Obviously, because of my extensive knowledge on the queen gleaned from watching The Crown, I fancied myself the expert. (Did you appreciate my very British phrasing there?) Having recently watched the second season, I can say there were few surprises. However, as I went on, I realized I was, in effect, getting spoilers. My expertise really starts in the 80s, so the rest of the 60s and all of the 70s was a blank slate. It was interesting to see the things the show included and skipped as opposed to Smith's account. There were a few that weren't mentioned in the biography, which caused me to wonder about their historical accuracy. (There is a historical companion to the show, but I have not read it. I put it on my Christmas list, but then I thought that was displaying my obsession a little too broadly, so I took it off.) Overall, though, the picture of the queen, painted both by the show and this biography, is that she is the essence of poise and dignity, but isn't afraid to ride her horses, yell at the races, adjust to the times, and occasionally (though rarely), do the unexpected.
I haven't figured out royal biographies yet. This was clearly an unauthorized biography, although Smith has met Queen Elizabeth several times. She frequently quoted Charles's biographer, or Philip's biographer, so there is some sort of official capacity for biographers, I just haven't figured that system out. I don't know if the biographer is assigned by the palace, or whether the object picks someone they like, or whether Queen Elizabeth's official biography has been all but completed and he/she is just waiting for the queen to kick the bucket...? I don't know. Either way, I was pretty pleased with this one. There were times where I felt she was stretching, grasping for something meaningful to report, but overall, I liked it. Smith has also written a biography of Princess Diana and has recently released a biography of Prince Charles. Having just read about (and frankly, feeling a little tired of) Diana, I'm not really up for that one, and as Charles is perhaps the royal personality I find least interesting, I'll be skipping that one, too. Maybe if she writes one on Kate, Meghan, or one of the boys...
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