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A review by bmyurs
George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Sally Bedell Smith is no stranger to royal biography, and this one does not disappoint. After reading so many biographies about Elizabeth II and the younger royals, it's refreshing to jump back a generation or two. She thoroughly covers Bertie and Elizabeth's childhoods before jumping into their successful marriage and rule. She spends a considerable amount of time on the abdication crisis and World War II.
Overall this book is very detailed into not only the lives of Bertie and Elizabeth, but the supporting cast around them- Queen Mary, their children, David and Wallace, and the courtier at Buckingham. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because of its quick finish- we got from George being sick to the end of the book. While I understand this book is focused on their partnership, I think another chapter about the Queen Mother as a solo parent and dowager queen would have made it more well rounded.
Would recommend this book for anyone who has interest in Elizabeth II, the Crown, or even the more current events with the younger royals; there are some uncanny parallels between David's abdication and the family's handling of events, and how a similar pattern has emerged between Harry and his family.
Sally Bedell Smith is no stranger to royal biography, and this one does not disappoint. After reading so many biographies about Elizabeth II and the younger royals, it's refreshing to jump back a generation or two. She thoroughly covers Bertie and Elizabeth's childhoods before jumping into their successful marriage and rule. She spends a considerable amount of time on the abdication crisis and World War II.
Overall this book is very detailed into not only the lives of Bertie and Elizabeth, but the supporting cast around them- Queen Mary, their children, David and Wallace, and the courtier at Buckingham. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because of its quick finish- we got from George being sick to the end of the book. While I understand this book is focused on their partnership, I think another chapter about the Queen Mother as a solo parent and dowager queen would have made it more well rounded.
Would recommend this book for anyone who has interest in Elizabeth II, the Crown, or even the more current events with the younger royals; there are some uncanny parallels between David's abdication and the family's handling of events, and how a similar pattern has emerged between Harry and his family.