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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Really enjoyed this one. I’ve read other biographies by Sally Bedell Smith, and I think this is one of the first times where I’ve truly grasped the scope of her research in crafting these biographies. It’s quite remarkable. Definitely worthy of note was that Queen Elizabeth II granted Bedell Smith access to the Royal Archives at Windsor, and extensive access to the private papers and diaries of King George and Queen Elizabeth. This was a huge deal because Bedell Smith isn’t one of the “official” Royal biographers. The scope and breadth of this book is truly remarkable, and I appreciated how she put this singular relationship in context of wider world politics, and didn’t shy away from talking about the colonialism of the British Empire.
I definitely learned a lot in this book — Albert proposed THREE times before Elizabeth said yes, third time’s the charm lol; AND a fact that will stick with me forever for some reason, but the British did not repay their WWII/Lend-Lease act $85 million debt until 2006. A) that is…a long time, I was shocked by seeing the 200— year, and b) that is so much money what is that adjusted for inflation or???? The WWII years were fascinating to read about, as a WWII history buff, but I actually found it more interesting to read about Elizabeth and Bertie pre and post-WWII. I didn’t know much about Elizabeth, and I admit I was kind of surprised, and delighted, by her extremely close-knit family.
When I was younger, I used to lap up any and all information about the British Royal Family. As an adult, I still do, however, I feel less “rose colored glasses” about it, trying to reconcile my fascination with sparkly royalty with the fact that the British empire had far reaching impact around the globe, and the shockwaves are still being felt today (partition of India, for example).
Overall, really fascinating and well researched biography, and just *thinking* about the process of putting this book together makes my head hurt slightly.
I definitely learned a lot in this book — Albert proposed THREE times before Elizabeth said yes, third time’s the charm lol; AND a fact that will stick with me forever for some reason, but the British did not repay their WWII/Lend-Lease act $85 million debt until 2006. A) that is…a long time, I was shocked by seeing the 200— year, and b) that is so much money what is that adjusted for inflation or???? The WWII years were fascinating to read about, as a WWII history buff, but I actually found it more interesting to read about Elizabeth and Bertie pre and post-WWII. I didn’t know much about Elizabeth, and I admit I was kind of surprised, and delighted, by her extremely close-knit family.
When I was younger, I used to lap up any and all information about the British Royal Family. As an adult, I still do, however, I feel less “rose colored glasses” about it, trying to reconcile my fascination with sparkly royalty with the fact that the British empire had far reaching impact around the globe, and the shockwaves are still being felt today (partition of India, for example).
Overall, really fascinating and well researched biography, and just *thinking* about the process of putting this book together makes my head hurt slightly.
informative
slow-paced
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Sally Bedell Smith is no stranger to the Royal Family. She’s written several books about various members of the family, and this time concentrates on Queen Elizabeth II’s parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother. She had unfettered access to documents including letters in order to tell a more complete story of the man and woman who led Great Britain following the abdication crisis and during World War II. Having access to these letters and papers makes for a compelling dual biography.
When you dive into a 700-page book, you have to take your time or it will feel like a drudge, which is something I forgot momentarily and I dived in. The early part of the book, especially the protracted courtship of Elizabeth and Bertie seemed to drag on forever, but maybe I just felt that way because it really did take a long time for the two to get to the alter. Bertie had to ask Elizabeth THREE TIMES before she said yes. Let’s remember that.
The scope and breadth of this book is incredible, from Bertie and Elizabeth’s childhoods, through their courtship, early marriage and births of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, their idyllic life before the abdication crisis, and then taking the helm of the country. Leading the country through World War II with the help of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and then dealing with the post-war austerity.
On the one hand, I’m not a big fan of Queen Elizabeth’s “ostriching” for which she was ever famous. If she didn’t want to deal with something unpleasant, she just ignored it and wished it away. That caused many problems over the years with various members of the Royal Family and certainly is not the healthy way of dealing with things. On the other hand, she had the gumption and strength to support and advise her husband throughout their marriage and his kingship.
One thing I found interesting with this book, and I hope that this new history reflects it for the future, was that King George VI was not a “weak” king, or not that smart, who couldn’t handle the position thrust upon him when Edward VIII abdicated the throne. While it was somewhat shocking to him that he would become king in the weeks leading up to the abdication, he was the son who spent the most time with George V and knew some of the duties that entailed. He was more equipped to become king than his brother, David. He was a conscientious study and poured over every document that was in his red boxes. He had a thorough understanding of every situation that came his way. He restored public confidence in the monarchy and wisely led his country during wartime.
With every new book I read, I find out more about the disgraceful actions of the Duke of Windsor. He bugged Bertie again and again about money, claiming poverty, when in fact, as Prince of Wales, he had squirreled away about a million dollars from his earning from the Duchy of Cornwall. Parliament wouldn’t pay the Duke anything so George VI paid him an allowance out of his own pocket, only to find out that his brother had lied. The king’s allowance as Duke of York had been a pittance compared to the Prince of Wales and had very little money saved when he became king, and economized, especially during the war.
If you don’t know anything about George VI and Elizabeth, this book is for you. If you know the basics about their life, this book is still for you because of new revelations. I’ve frequently read or seen documentaries that mention Bertie was not in robust health his whole life. I had no idea until I read this book that during the entire time he served in the Royal Navy, something like 8 years, he was only on active duty for 16 months. And that he smoked upwards of 50 cigarettes a day. Looking back, I can see how the king’s health failed at aged 56, which his wife always blamed on the stress of being king, but really, it was a lifetime of health problems and an addiction to smoking which did him in.
Sally Bedell Smith is no stranger to the Royal Family. She’s written several books about various members of the family, and this time concentrates on Queen Elizabeth II’s parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother. She had unfettered access to documents including letters in order to tell a more complete story of the man and woman who led Great Britain following the abdication crisis and during World War II. Having access to these letters and papers makes for a compelling dual biography.
When you dive into a 700-page book, you have to take your time or it will feel like a drudge, which is something I forgot momentarily and I dived in. The early part of the book, especially the protracted courtship of Elizabeth and Bertie seemed to drag on forever, but maybe I just felt that way because it really did take a long time for the two to get to the alter. Bertie had to ask Elizabeth THREE TIMES before she said yes. Let’s remember that.
The scope and breadth of this book is incredible, from Bertie and Elizabeth’s childhoods, through their courtship, early marriage and births of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, their idyllic life before the abdication crisis, and then taking the helm of the country. Leading the country through World War II with the help of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and then dealing with the post-war austerity.
On the one hand, I’m not a big fan of Queen Elizabeth’s “ostriching” for which she was ever famous. If she didn’t want to deal with something unpleasant, she just ignored it and wished it away. That caused many problems over the years with various members of the Royal Family and certainly is not the healthy way of dealing with things. On the other hand, she had the gumption and strength to support and advise her husband throughout their marriage and his kingship.
One thing I found interesting with this book, and I hope that this new history reflects it for the future, was that King George VI was not a “weak” king, or not that smart, who couldn’t handle the position thrust upon him when Edward VIII abdicated the throne. While it was somewhat shocking to him that he would become king in the weeks leading up to the abdication, he was the son who spent the most time with George V and knew some of the duties that entailed. He was more equipped to become king than his brother, David. He was a conscientious study and poured over every document that was in his red boxes. He had a thorough understanding of every situation that came his way. He restored public confidence in the monarchy and wisely led his country during wartime.
With every new book I read, I find out more about the disgraceful actions of the Duke of Windsor. He bugged Bertie again and again about money, claiming poverty, when in fact, as Prince of Wales, he had squirreled away about a million dollars from his earning from the Duchy of Cornwall. Parliament wouldn’t pay the Duke anything so George VI paid him an allowance out of his own pocket, only to find out that his brother had lied. The king’s allowance as Duke of York had been a pittance compared to the Prince of Wales and had very little money saved when he became king, and economized, especially during the war.
If you don’t know anything about George VI and Elizabeth, this book is for you. If you know the basics about their life, this book is still for you because of new revelations. I’ve frequently read or seen documentaries that mention Bertie was not in robust health his whole life. I had no idea until I read this book that during the entire time he served in the Royal Navy, something like 8 years, he was only on active duty for 16 months. And that he smoked upwards of 50 cigarettes a day. Looking back, I can see how the king’s health failed at aged 56, which his wife always blamed on the stress of being king, but really, it was a lifetime of health problems and an addiction to smoking which did him in.
Great read this one, flows really well and again shows how skilled Sally Bedell Smith is at biography writing - I very much enjoyed her biography on QEII.
I've read a lot over the years about King George and Queen Elizabeth but it was very interesting to have the story told beginning to end in one book and add all sorts of small details on the two and their work during WWII.
I'll add to this review in the future but for now suffice to say this is a great choice as a first read on them, or an interesting additional read for any WWII and royal history fans.
Happy Readings!!
I've read a lot over the years about King George and Queen Elizabeth but it was very interesting to have the story told beginning to end in one book and add all sorts of small details on the two and their work during WWII.
I'll add to this review in the future but for now suffice to say this is a great choice as a first read on them, or an interesting additional read for any WWII and royal history fans.
Happy Readings!!
George VI and Elizabeth is one of the most insightful, beguiling and personal books I have read on the members of the Royal Family. Author Sally Bendall Smith gained access to the Royal Archives, diaries and letters and gives the readers more than mere glimpses into George and Elizabeth's personalities, characters, upbringing, mutual love for each other, sense of duty and steadfastness through tragedies and family division, and horrors of World War II (they themselves very nearly got killed by the bombing of Buckingham Palace). They were both loved as children and adored spending time with their own daughters.
What struck me most is the wonderful complement of two very different personalities, Elizabeth's vibrancy and George's shyness, and how they brought out the best in each other. They were both honest, hard working and loyal. Foibles, shortcomings and quirks are also described. After King Edward VIII abdicated, leaving the monarchy reeling, George and Elizabeth stepped up with remarkable confidence that they probably weren't feeling at first (especially George's public stuttering which he determinedly overcame). The descriptions of their childhoods, courtship, homes and hobbies were interesting and informative. What one couple's strengths accomplished during times of a shattered monarchy is incredible!
So many stories stand out in my mind such as nicknames, Bertie's sweet secret code to his mother after his third engagement proposal, his sensitive character beginning in childhood and debilitating shyness. It was a joy to read about Elizabeth's idyllic childhood, practically living outside and learning names of wildflowers. She was immediately loved by her in-laws and the public due to her kindness and humility.
Whether you are fans of the Royal Family or not, this book is well worth getting your hands on. Don't let the length deter you; it is fascinating and exceptionally well written. I found myself researching more and more during my reading experience as I could not get enough! The photographs are a delight.
My sincere thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing book.
What struck me most is the wonderful complement of two very different personalities, Elizabeth's vibrancy and George's shyness, and how they brought out the best in each other. They were both honest, hard working and loyal. Foibles, shortcomings and quirks are also described. After King Edward VIII abdicated, leaving the monarchy reeling, George and Elizabeth stepped up with remarkable confidence that they probably weren't feeling at first (especially George's public stuttering which he determinedly overcame). The descriptions of their childhoods, courtship, homes and hobbies were interesting and informative. What one couple's strengths accomplished during times of a shattered monarchy is incredible!
So many stories stand out in my mind such as nicknames, Bertie's sweet secret code to his mother after his third engagement proposal, his sensitive character beginning in childhood and debilitating shyness. It was a joy to read about Elizabeth's idyllic childhood, practically living outside and learning names of wildflowers. She was immediately loved by her in-laws and the public due to her kindness and humility.
Whether you are fans of the Royal Family or not, this book is well worth getting your hands on. Don't let the length deter you; it is fascinating and exceptionally well written. I found myself researching more and more during my reading experience as I could not get enough! The photographs are a delight.
My sincere thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing book.
If you want an incite into how King Charles and Prince William think, read this book. Secrets, feuds and Royal rumbles. It was all present when George VI was king. It is a fascinating look at British monarchy and hard tonputvdown.
emotional
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
So well researched, accurate, human touch, WWII section is inspiring, intelligent, well edited
informative
sad
slow-paced