Customer Reviews

The Diana I Know : An American Mother's Warm Memories on Her Child's Nanny Who Became the Princess of Wales

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I wanted to read this book for the longest but it was unavailable. I finally bought it used through Amazon.

I was not disappointed! A truly readable and enjoyable book. Diana often was dismissed by critics as a shallow, self-serving woman who only "cared" about people when the cameras and press were recording an event.

Mrs. Robertson refuted this often repeated attack of Diana's character by showing us that behind the scenes and away from the press, Diana continued a warm friendship with this American woman and her family. A common family who could in no way further Diana's reportedly selfish agenda.

Why?

The only explanation is that Diana truly was a very warm and caring person. The book captures that simple quality of Diana.

Many books have been written to show the world what the real Diana was supposedly like.

These books deride fans for believing in a media image of Diana and have attacked Diana's every move.

Mrs. Robertson knew the "real" Diana and her memories are refreshing, honest and much in tune with Diana's worldwide image.

Mrs. Robertson's friendship with the Princess of Wales was not based on a phony media image.

Thank you Mrs. Robertson for writing this book and showing us the lovely "inner" Diana.

Diana proved it was possible to be warm, unpretentious, radiant AND royal.

I guess that I'd have to give this book about 3 1/2 stars if I could do that, it's an interesting little book to read. Written by Mary Robertson, the American woman who once employed Diana as a nanny, it isn't nearly as bad as some critics would suggest.The book starts with an Aug 31-Sept 6th recap of learning about Diana's death and attending the funeral, in the next chapter and for most of the book details Robertson's experiences over the years with the Princess. While Mrs. Robertson does talk about herself (not particularly boastfully)she tells a lot of harmless little details about Diana, various meetings & so on, that you just don't see elsewhere. I wouldn't put it at the top of your list of books to accquire but it makes a nice little addition.

I bought this book because I wanted a glimpse into the REAL Diana, the person she was before the world met her. This book had that insight and much more. It tells about Diana living in the "real" world, and who she was before she got engaged to Prince Charles. It shows us a Diana who we would all have loved to have known, a sweet shy fun loving girl, who was polite and unassuming - behavior that belied her aristocratic background. I was sixteen the summer Diana was married and I remember getting up early and watching her wedding on TV with my mother, who died five years ago. I know that this woman who wrote the book had the same reaction to Diana as my mother did - that she was shy and sweet and innocent. Reading this book takes us all back to the innocent time before the wedding, when she forgot to wear a slip and wore the wrong dress to the ball and avoided reporters outside her flat as she went to work each day. The perspective of this book, though is its most iimportant part. This woman does not boast of her relationship with Diana, which continued until shortly before her death, but instead is appreciative of every encounter with the Princess, every lettter every CHristmas card. Though I never met the Princess, I could very much relate to this perspective. and I was equally devastated at her death. Mrs. Robertson attended Diana' wedding, and her funeral and saw her other times in between . She was awestruck at the pageantry of her wedding and devasted by the funeral. SHe took us all with her in this book. We met Diana , too, through her, and it is a most refreshing view, especially in light of all of these tell all juicy details books out now - Mrs. Robertson truly gives us in her book, The DIana SHE knew. I could not put it down.

This is one of my favorite books about the princess - it shows a very real side of Diana - yet doesn't appear exploitative.

I've read most of the Diana books on the market, and this one is my all time favorite. The warmth, candor, and respect that Mrs. Robertson uses in describing her ongoing relationship with the late former Princess of Wales is refreshing (who else treats Diana with dignity anymore, anyway?), well paced (I can stay into it, even on the treadmill), and wholly respectable (staying exclusively in the realm of what Mrs. Robertson herself saw, learned, or experienced, and not crossing the line into lurid speculation, armchair psychology, or maudlin reflection). This is an idea purchase or gift with anyone having an interest in Diana, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly as a sweet (I know it's an overused word, but it's the RIGHT word) tribute to the relationship from one mother to another and their friendship which spanned 17 years.

I bought this book as soon as it came into the shops and have read it so many times. It is good to read Mary's account of her relationship with Diana. One of the most readable books I have ever read. I wonder if Mary has written other books?

I agree with the reviewers who found this book refreshing and loving. Mrs. Robertson has paid a heartwarming and respectful portrait of the rare relationship and pen-friendship she shared with her son's former nanny. From this book, the reader gains a perspective of Diana seldom chronicled in other literature: the respectful, discreet, caring friend who remembered those who showed her kindness and returned it in kind. While it's possible that Mrs. Robertson didn't know Diana familiarly enough to meet her darker, shreweder, and reportedly vindictive side, I prefer to think that the Diana Mrs. Robertson shares is the truer version of the much-gossiped-about former princess. The best thing about the book is the way Mrs. Robertson avoids speculating about anything outside of her own firsthand experience. She avoids diagnosing the neuroses of the Prince and Princess of Wales, analyzing their marriage, commenting on either's activities which she doesn't witness firsthand, or casting aspersions. The book is what it says it is: Loving memories of an American mother and her son's nanny who became the Princess of Wales. Period.

Ever since I studied the upcoming wedding of Diana and Charles in my sixth-grade class back in 1981, I've loved reading about the princess. I even wrote a paper about Diana in college. And, having read just about every book on the Princess of Wales, I'd say this is the best one because it comes from such a unique perspective -- imagine, the future Princess of Wales working as a nanny for an American mom. If it was fiction, no one would believe it! A touching, elegant book that brought tears to my eyes. You'll never read a better book about Diana.

I was so excited when I heard about Mary Robertson's book on Princess Diana. I have been an admirer of Diana's since she began dating Prince Charles. I have many books on Princess Diana in my personal library and this one fits on the shelf nicely. Mrs. Robertson shows the public a kind and caring young woman who simply loved to work with children. The author shows us Diana as an innocent and unfazed teenager. I was very happy to hear that Diana and Mrs. Robertson stayed in touch for so many years and that Diana also thought about Patrick even after her own children were born. The media has made Diana out to be many things but Mrs. Robertson shows the world that Diana was truly one of us!

After reading many books and articles about Diana, I wondered if I could learn anything new from this viewpoint. The answer is "Yes". Here is the story from someone who has no hidden agenda in telling their story. She just wants to let the world see a side of Diana that we so rarely hear about. I especially liked the personal account of the pre-wedding, wedding, and the funeral events. For those who enjoy reading about Diana and who cared for her, this is a must read. And I did look to see if any of the proceeds from this book was to be donated to the Princess' fund........Yes.