Diana : Story of a Princess [Paperback]

Tim Clayton (Author), Phil Craig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 2003

Based on the groundbreaking ITV/The Learning Channel documentary series, and drawn from years of research and dozens of interviews with friends and associates speaking on the record for the first time, Diana contains never-before-revealed information and stunning insights about the beloved -- and largely misunderstood -- Princess of Wales.

From claims that Diana was ready to leave Charles just weeks before the wedding to her lifelong battle against depression, from world-exclusive interviews with Diana's beau James Hewitt and her "surrogate mother-in-law" Shirley Hewitt to details about the unconventional "arrangements" in the royal household -- between Diana and James, Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles -- Diana is an honest, objective, and unparalleled biography.

With thirty-two photographs -- including several never before published -- Diana shows all facets of this fascinating woman: her magic, her manipulations, her dazzling public persona, and her place in her people's hearts and history.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Less sensational than most treatments of the life of the late princess of Wales, this latest Diana book is published in conjunction with a four-part TV miniseries to run on the Learning Channel this month. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

New York Post Never-before-told detailed accounts and stunning insights about this most extraordinary woman...captur[es] the Princess as she was.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (August 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743422066
• ISBN-13: 978-0743422062
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,215,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Royalty > Princess Diana

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars at last, something thoughtful about someone fascinating, June 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Diana : Story of a Princess (Hardcover)

I didn't hold out much hope for another Diana book, but this one really is different. it seems very fair and well written and it makes a lot of interesting points about the whole charity scene that Diana and other celebrities involve themselves in. I think I agree with Christopher Hitchens that a lot of it is cynical and tacky, but you get both sides in this book and there's no doubt that Diana did make a difference on one or two occasions and she had a talent for meeting and greeting the needy. The Angola story is very touching. In terms of her marriage, I found all the insider quotes from the royal officials very revealing. You begin to understand just what had gone on and why the whole thing was doomed from the start - competely different expectations of what a royal wife was for. So, all in all, not only far, far better than anticipated, but actually thought provoking.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly Intelligent and Balanced, April 29, 2004

By 

Allyn "pianogirl" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Diana : Story of a Princess (Paperback)

Tireless humanitarian and inspirationally anti-establishment figure? Or beautiful but shallow woman who loved nothing more than a good photo-op and seeing her soap-operaish life grab headlines? Most of us lean heavily toward one of the above perspectives of Princess Diana. Unfortunately, it seems that books dealing with the late princess also tend to be written in this black-and-white way.

Yet in "Diana: Story of a Princess," authors Craig and Clayton offer material that paints a refreshingly different portrait of Diana. It certainly isn't black-and-white; instead, it emphasizes the complex and elusive character of this eternally puzzling person.

The biography begins with Diana's childhood, and although it may initially seem a slightly dry chronicle of Spencer family history and aristocratic titles, it quickly beomces much more compelling. It is obvious that the authors have put a tremendous amount of research into the book-this research translates into well-detailed account of every pivotal moment in her life. "Diana, Story of a Princess" is, if nothing else, a complete "life portrait" that Diana fans won't want to be without.

In my mind, however, this bio is much more than a simple chronicle of events because of the widely varying views and accounts presented about the princess. Everyone knows how Diana was a victim of the Charles-Camilla relationship, but does anyone know the disadvantages Charles faced as he entered the marriage? We all have heard of what a selfless charity worker Diana was, but did we ever know of her supposedly "darker" side during this sort of work? This book explores both "sides" of these issues and others. Through facts, first-person accounts, and their own intelligent, interesting, and balanced commentary, the authors attempt not to trash Diana or transform her into a saint, but simply to raise and explore questions about her true character.

Overall, this biography is certainly a success. It manages to be generally informative and intriguing-while avoiding the pitfalls of being too one-sided or sensational.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Diana book that's really worth reading, June 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Diana : Story of a Princess (Hardcover)

What I particularly like about this book is that it destroys the whole 'Diana was mad' thesis (which you'll find, for instance, in Sally Bedell Smith's book - which I found silly and over the top.) This one explains, in detail that I found amazing, just how the whole mental health smear started. There's plenty of evidence here that Diana was perfectly sane and happy before she married into 'that family.' And - unlike many Diana books I've looked at - this does try not to take sides. Diana herself comes in for a lot of criticism, especially in the last few years of her life. But overall you do get a real sense of the pressures she was under and the quite magical things she did sometimes, right up to the end of her life. The landmine section is very touching. I'd recommend this book, in fact, to anyone interested in finding out about the real Diana rather than the 'spun' Diana.