Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Christopher Andersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 2001

That the beautiful, complicated Princess of Wales -- arguably the most celebrated woman of the twentieth century -- died so violently and so young was tragic. That she was a single mother leaving behind two emotionally vulnerable sons made Diana's death at thirty-six all the more heartbreaking.Four years after Diana's death, Prince William and his brother Prince Harry -- "the heir and the spare," as Fleet Street dubbed them -- are the planet's two most -- photographed, written-about, and speculated-about young men. People everywhere feel an intense affection for Wills and Harry, and wonder if, without their mother to guide them, they are withering or flourishing in the House of Windsor.In this much-anticipated sequel to his "New York Times #1 bestseller "The Day Diana Died, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many of whom have agreed to speak here for the first time -- to paint this sympathetic yet often startling portrait of William and Harry, and reveal how their mother remains a constant presence in their lives. Among the revelations: New details about the hours and days after they lost their mother, how they coped in the wake of the tragedy, and who William blames for the crash that killed Diana.How the young princes were caught in the crossfire of their parents' tempestuous, often brutal marriage, and what impact that continues to have on them as young men.The behind-the-scenes maneuvering by the Queen to mold her grandsons in the Windsor image, and to what extent she has succeeded or failed.Camilla's growing role in the boys' lives, her secret pledge to Charles's sons, and whether they would accept her as their stepmother.The disturbing influence of William'sfriends -- including rebellious, drug-abusing aristocrats -- and the Palace's fight to keep them from leading the future king astray.The undisclosed threats on the princes' lives and the recurring nightmare that still haunts William.Harry's story -- his hopes, dreams, and fears as he struggles with life in the shadow of his brother.The women in William's life and what he has confided he wants in a future queen."Diana's Boys is more than the first comprehensive biography of the world's two most celebrated royals. Just as Andersen's bestsellers "Jack and Jackie, Jackie After Jack, and "The Day John Died allowed us to once again experience Camelot, readers will relive the tender relationship between Diana and her spirited offspring. This is the story of a mother who died too young and the children who are her living legacy.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Not just the title but the subject of this book is a closely guarded secret; Anderson (The Day Diana Died) is famed for digging the dirt on controversial figures, and this would appear to be no exception. We're promised a revelation before pub date.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Christopher Andersen is the critically acclaimed author of twenty-one books that have been translated into more than twenty languages worldwide. A former contributing editor of Time and senior editor of People, Andersen has also written hundreds of articles for a wide range of publications, including Life and the New York Times.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (August 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688172040
• ISBN-13: 978-0688172046
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,394,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Royalty > Princess Diana

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars newsworthy and insightful, August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved (Hardcover)

I was puzzled by one of the reviews of this book apparently written by someone who admits to having just thumbed through it, concluded that it contains "nothing new" and deemed it a "sad, little book." Another reviewer writes positively about the book and its subjects but trashes the author.

I found the book well written, well reported by someone who is a seasoned journalist (Mr. Andersen's credentials are impeccable) and who seems to have great sympathy for William and Harry. I found nothing salacious in this book and no hint that Mr. Andersen was after "dirt" on two young men who haven't really had time in their short lives to provide royal watchers on either side of the Atlantic with the kind of dirt that makes headlines.

All of that said I truly enjoyed "Diana's Boys" as an update on the lives of the two princes we all felt such sympathy for when Princess Diana was killed four years ago. "Diana's Boys" is also a touching tribute to Princess Diana's role as a mother. Although Mr. Andersen covers much familiar territory, he does so from a fresh perspective. I was entranced. And I read every word.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving look at WIlliam and Harry., August 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved (Hardcover)

I just finished reading Diana's Boys. Christopher Andersen has painted a wonderful portrait of the Princes and their lives after their mother's death. I confess to both curiosity and fascination with the boys, and I was eager to learn about the way the two have grown since the tragic death of Princess Diana. Andersen has offered readers a glimpse at the way William and Harry dealt with a very personal tragedy in a very public way--a fact that is so often lost in the media frenzy that has surrounded them. Aside from that, he's presented an image of charismatic children who, despite growing up under the scrutiny of both the media and the royal family, have found a way to be charming and personable adolescents sure to become successful young men. This book, on top of The Day John Died and The Day Diana Died, leaves me only wondering what subject Christopher Andersen will tackle next.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars INTERESTING READING...BUT IS IT TRULY FACTUAL?, August 14, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved (Hardcover)

I would have had a great deal more faith in the credibility of this book had it not been written by Christopher Andersen, who has an acclaimed reputation for digging up dirt on infamous people and portraying them at their worst, at their most vulnerable moments. However, that is the same kind of juicy, gossip that sells books and tabloids; some people will believe anything!

The book reveals how Princes William and Harry have dealt with the break-up of their parents' marriage, the death of their mother and the ever-growing presence of Camilla in their lives. It tells of the Queen's role in grooming the boys for the "Royal image" and how they have responded to her attempts. While the book does make interesting reading, if one were to take these two boys out of the public limelight and their "Royal position", they would probably react no differently from other boys around the world who have witnessed their parents divorce and their mother's tragic death.

Diana was a world-wide celebrity and one of the most beautiful ladies of our time. She exuded class and style in every life she touched. Her death was felt world-wide, particularly so in my country and in others who are a part of the British Commonwealth. It is highly likely the life lessons Diana gave her sons, and what she would have wanted for them, would be no different than what any loving parent would want for their children.

The book does go on to discuss "who blames who" for Diana's death. It is ironic that some people always seem to find a need to "blame someone" for life's trials and tribulations. I rather think Diana, being the compassionate person she was, would have raised her sons with a more positive, nurturing outlook on life, believing that forgiving the world for its tragedies is far more healing than blame.

So, how much is truth and how much is fiction? I suspect no one other than William and Harry will ever truly know the answer to that question, regardless of how many others may speculate. Everyone has the right to an opinion, but that does not make it factual. The reader will have to bear in mind the author's writing style and come to their own conclusions.