Customer Reviews

Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I enjoyed this book, largely because I'm a great fan of Princess Diana. This book offered interesting tidbits I had not heard before, which made for interesting reading. I do have one minor complaint, however, which is that I feel the book could have been shorter. After a while the chapters started to rehash old details and repeat themselves. Although long-winded at times, this is another good book by Andersen, whose "The Day Diana Died" was very informative, as well.

Diana's Boys, Andersen's recent bio of Diana and the fate, so far, of her sons Princes William and Harry, will make you first weep and then shudder. Aside from what appear to be the author's small errors (dates, names, both of little significance), this is a sad and sobering rehash of the death of Diana and the change from the luscious warmth of mother love to the rigid chill of the House of Windsor that these lads have experienced since that awful day in August of '97. One may find Diana to have been smothering, but we will never know how that would have turned out - the tendency was clearly there - although it is hard to overlove a child. It comes as no surprise that the atmosphere of the royal marriage put Harry and William in the same thankless boat as most children of acrimonious divorce. Picture it lived in the international spotlight. The insult to injury was the heartless chill they suddenly suffered at her death; something that will hopefully be remedied as they age and mature. Time, blessedly, does this as we have come to know. One has to wonder though. If this book is any indication - this was not the pleasantest family in which to grow up or face a mother's early, public death. There is even the ugly question of whether her death resulted in some small manner as a perverse form of schadenfreude - where the cause of the regal misery was suddenly gone along with the adored mother. It would not be the first time the baby had gone with the bath water and these boys, who had their share of choosing sides, suddenly would have to do so no longer. Children - even teenagers - often do welcome the quick fix. Diana comes across to us as a loving, yet histrionic and needy mother; Charles as a loving yet clueless and guilty "papa"; whipped by his own father relentlessly - a combination that rendered neither one capable of offering balance or joy on a routine basis to either child. Diana's excessive love overshadowed by Charles' guilt and the lack of role models for either one to emulate appears in vivid contrast to the photo ops in which both boys appeared with such happiness. Clearly both were gilded yo-yos but yo-yos nonetheless. Poor Harry seems a bit of a dim bulb - truly living up to his role as merely a spare and William, trained to be king, far too wise for his young years. One aches to imagine the depth of pain and sorrow, discouraged expression, in both their hearts as they have soldiered on with a life of predestined duties, without the softening touch of their mother's tenderness. Only time will tell if either will marry well, father well or fare well. William seems unlikely to reign until his late 40's - if at all and Harry may wind up in the unenviable position of the rest of the royal family - unless he is quite good at woodworking or military service. The next 30 years cannot be ones faced with unabated hope and ambition for two young men who have been robbed not only of their mother but of the right to grieve as much and as long as required to soothe such a wretched ache. I do heartily recommend the book for its candor and poignancy, but you will indeed be saddened by the all too familiar story it tells of modern marriage, parenthood and horrible loss - no matter how regal your birth or honorable your intentions.

Anderson's book is 342 pages in length and it's a decent primer for those who know very little about the sons of the world's most famous princess. Anderson stays focused on the boys, for the duration of the book, talking about the relationship between William and Harry and the important people who influence them.

There are some new tidbits of information in this book that I hadn't heard before, like the strained relationship between William and Harry, and Camilla Parker Bowles, the woman who was instrumental in the breakup of Prince Charles and the boy's mother. But other than this, there isn't a whole lot of new information to be found in this book. Most readers already know about the cold indifference on the part of the Queen and her husband, when Diana was killed; the incorrigible antics of the young Prince William; the boy's love of blondes; etc. For the most part, Anderson just rehashes old news.

One other thing I didn't like about this book was the way Anderson wrote it, in "snips". Basically, Anderson just keeps pointing out little facts and quotes from the members of the royal family, jumping from one incident to another. When I read a book that's supposed to be a biography, I prefer something that digs in a little deeper into the lives of the people whom the book is written about. I don't care so much about hearing silly quotes made by prince Harry while fox hunting. I would rather hear more information about the boys thoughts, feelings, etc. to get a better feel for what makes William and Harry tick. I don't think Anderson did a good job in this area.

Another thing that bothers me is the fact that Anderson doesn't even bother to title his chapters. There are eight of them, but they are unnamed. Given the way the book is arranged, with so many "snips", I assume that Anderson had a difficult time deciding on titles for the chapters, so he just left them out completely. If Anderson had focused more on specific topics, he would have had no problem coming up with chapter titles.

So, my bottom- line on this book is that it's not that great or that memorable. It might be interesting to those who like to read about the royal family. But for the rest of us, it's a mediocre work of non- fiction.

Having been an avid Diana fan since her engagement, I haven't missed a book published in the last score of years... While for people unfamiliar with the royal family, this would be fascinating, for those of us who keep up to date, it wasn't. The Queen and Camilla P.B. make their indifference to the Princess' death quite clear. Neither are to be admired for their generosity of spirit or thoughtfulness. On the other hand, our lovely Diana was a bit of a trauma/drama queen when it really wasn't necessary... She was a good mother by royal standards, and a good princess, which did not necessarily ever make her a good wife. She and he were incompatible from the get-go. The boys are the best thing to have come out of the debacle of the marriage. May she rest in peace, and Wills and Harry have the luck and smart choices to achieve the happiness that escaped her.

Frankly, I'm tired of the re-play concerning Diana's alleged antics. If I read one more time about her alleged comments to Tiggy or her alleged harassment phone calls to Oliver Hoare's house, I think I'll scream.
Actually more is written about Charles and Diana in this book than either William or Harry, until the later chapters then we hear about Wills in Eaton, his gap year and alleged romances. We also learn both boys are "coping" remarkably well with Diana's sudden death. And their approval rating of Mrs. BP assuming the public role as Papa's companion so soon after Diana's death, is troubling or at least to me it was.
Then too, Harry is kept in the shadows even by the author. While everyone within the system admits to feeling sorry for Harry (as the spare), no one really tries to change the status quo. Instead they treat Harry much the way Princess Margret was---rather with indifference.
While William is treated with interest and respect--even by the queen. Very sad situation for Harry. My heart goes out to him.
William's alleged romantic antics are troubling. He did not appear concerned with his steamy behavior being caught on video tape at a bar and the possibility of the press publishing pictures. And I was distressed at the manner he subjected his body guards.
Tending to the heir and the spare is probably going to make the police protection squad old before their time.

I've read many royal family books and I just can't put this one down. It's so interesting to read about the relationships between Diana and Charles and their sons. Gives great insight into the wonderful person Prince William is... how he goes out of his way to help people, just like his mother. This surprised me, along with many other things, such as how William would not speak to Diana for days after the famous Panorama interview. Interesting read for anyone who enjoys the guilty pleasure of reading about the Windsor Soap Opera.

The book was delivered yesterday and I can't put it down! It's written almost as a novel, including people's feelings, thoughts, and motives, which does raise some suspicions. I have to wonder how much the author filled in to make it more entertaining. The book does seem very well-rounded. For example, both Charles and Diana's faults are pointed out, but their good sides are also shown. Though their parents take up a good part of the book, William and Harry truly are the stars, William more so than Harry. An interesting, enjoyable book.