Diana: A Commemorative Biography [Paperback]

Barbara Cartland (Author, Preface)

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Commonwealth Publications; 1ST edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551978466
• ISBN-13: 978-1551978468
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,840,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Genuine goodness is threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum", August 12, 1998

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Karina A. Suarez "Karina A. Fogliani-Ahmed" (Walt Disney World, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Diana: A Commemorative Biography (Paperback)

The above words were included in the poignant eulogy Charles Spencer gave at Westminster Abbey on 6th September, 1997 during his sister's funeral, the beloved Princess Diana of Wales (page 230). Personally, I was a staunch fan of the Princess. I admired her for her courage, her compassion and her fearlessness at appearing as a "human" Royal. Diana was the only glamorous woman I can think of who was not resented by the rest of society for projecting that glamour and living an expensive lifestyle. It was all part of her endeavors, her devotion to the causes she held dear, and a testament to her true humanity and inner beauty.

After her death, I bought as many magazines and books about her as I could get my hands on, fearing I would never be able to see her image again. I needed her persona to draw inspiration from, and now I would no longer have that option. This book presents an average re-telling of Diana's life, but where it stands out is in the extensive genealogical tree of the Spencers that it offers on chapter 1, showing their almost constant proximity to British Royalty through the centuries. Ironically, no Spencer would ever become part of Britain 's Royalty until Diana. And yet, she never became the Queen of England and its other territories.

As I was reading the book, I mentally re-lived those moments of intense sadness due first to the upset she obviously went through during her loveless marriage, followed by the terrible news of her demise. Earl Spencer's eulogy, fully transcribed, brought tears to my eyes, as well as the full description of her funeral, which is cited complete with readings by her sisters with a full transcript of the mass. My favorite verses, which I find just a perfect reflection of Diana's memory, were read by her sister Lady Jane Fellowes:

"Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love, time is eternity."

The other narrative that sets this book apart is the preface by Dame Barbara Cartland, Diana's step-grandmother. Dame Cartland pairs the symbolism of Diana identifying her as the essence of love, and brings up the very sad, ironic notion that, although she managed to capture the hearts of millions, she could not capture her husband's (page 13). This obviously distressed and hurt Diana to no end, making her unhappy in her private life and marking her forever devoid of experiencing the true feeling she was so fond of giving. Just when she was discovering love again, she was taken from this world, along with her new love, Dodi Al Fayed.

Although speculations on her death abound, I will only say that the world was undoubtedly a better place with Diana in it. She could have achieved so much for the poor and the downtrodden. The book offers a sad reminder of a wish and a life that was cut short, its positive influence remaining forever incomplete.