Customer Reviews

The Duchess of Windsor: Uncomm

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

 

 

For those readers who have an inherent interest in the British Royal Family, and especially the late Duke & Duchess of Windsor, much of this book will be repetitive. However, this book's author approaches his subject as though she were a real, living, breathing individual, with complexities and contradictions in her makeup. Wallis Simpson has almost always been portrayed as a ruthless, calculating woman bent upon becoming Queen of England. While I think she must have had a tremendously strong personality, and that the former Edward VIII might have had a somewhat weak character, common sense tells us that most people are neither all one way or the other, that they are capable of bad - and good - motivations. I came away from this book feeling that while Wallis Simpson may not have been 'in love' with the Duke, she truly did love him. Evidently, that was enough for him, and seeing her portrayed as a believeable human being rather than some shrill, cardboard characture made this book an informative and enjoyable read.

Author Greg King rebukes many of the rumors concerning the late Duchess of Windsor, in his newest biography "The Duchess of Windsor; The uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson". One of the more notable rumors that Mr. King challenges is the " Nazi" allegations that have been levied against both the Duke & Duchess for the last 60 years. Space restricts outling the many qualities of this book, but to note a few; this book includes a very thorough explanation of Wallis' first two marriages, to Naval Pilot Earl Winfield Spencer, in 1916 and to London businessman Ernest A. Simpson,in 1928. This lays the ground work to Wallis' first meeting Edward, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne of Great Britian. As the book continues Mr. King explains how the "Love Story of the Century" unfolded, including the 3-cruises that Wallis & Edward went on between 1934-1936. With the death of King George V, in January 1936, Edward was now King of Great Britain. Edward's reign, and Wallis' involvment, is well covered and (by the autumn of 1936) the reader is introduced to the abdication crisis in which Mr. King corrects many of the common misconceptions that other authors have fabricated about this period. This crisis, of course, ended with King Edward, being forced off the throne in December of 1936. Among the many interesting chapters in this book, the reader will find what might be one of the most in-depth explanations of the events that took place between the abdication, and the Duke & Duchess' wedding in June 1937. I think that upon reading this book, most fans of the Duke & Duchess will agree that this publication may very well be the most truthful book concerning the Duchess since she, herself, published her memoir's in 1956. In my overall opinion, not only will fans of the Duchess enjoy this book, but also those that have any interest in the British Royal family or "historic accuracy". Again, there are many highlights in this book, but one of the more informative parts is the epilogue that covers the events from the Duchess' death in 1986, to Sotheby's auction of the Windsor's belongings in February 1998. This time period has many relevant events that other authors have not discussed. In my many years of research on the Windsors I have read a considerable number of books and articles. Having this background I can recommend this book to readers whose understanding of the Windsor's is just beginning, and to those that have been studying their lives for many years.

If you want to take an enjoyable journey into the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's "Windsor Wonderland," then read Greg King's book. Maybe I'm and incurable romantic, or maybe I am more receptive to a positive focus on the Windsor love story, but I am impressed with Mr. King's descriptive ability and vindication of the much maligned Duchess of Windsor. In addition to inviting the reader into the larger than life existence of THE trend setting lovers of the 20th Century, Mr. King shows how down to earth the Duchess was during the war years while living in the Bahamas. Oh yes, there are vivid descriptions of the lavish surroundings the Duchess created for the former King of England, but she took her responsibilities seriously and guarded against making social mistakes. The result of her efforts actually set social standards. The jewel in the (never to be worn) crown has to be the successful, happy marriage to her husband of 35 years. Bravo Greg! WE have been waiting for a book like yours. The Windsors would be pleased.

very disappointed in mr king who has done so well in writing about the last russian imperial family; here he makes assumptions about the thoughts, feelings, and motives of wallis which are insubstantial. i believe he is correct in writing of humiliations inflicted on both the duke and duchess by the british royals, however he describes the independent spirit of the duchess--where is it evident? she spent her life living off of others: her uncle, her husbands, married couples who provided her with temporary homes over and over, and finally, the duke and his money and gifts. much of their story appears to have been glossed over--and his assesrtions of her famous wit are hardly in evidence. money has a way of making your clothing choices and home decorating flawless--how can you miss when the best advisors are at your fingertips? this was a boring read, and the poor duke comes off looking like a common fop; actually that makes them a good pair--she was common but glazed with his heritage and a big crowed of sycophants. so, so, sorry for him.

susan wells

albuquerque nm

Greg King's thoroughly-researched and highly readable biography of the Duchess of Windsor's life is simply excellent! At the outset the author explains that his book is a "sympathetic" portrait of the Duchess, and is not a re-hashing of old gossip and rumors.

Rather, this is a very balanced and highly interesting look at not only the lives of the Duke and Duchess, but of the time and world they inhabited with such joie de vivre, glamour and above all, humor and compassion for others. So many books have emphasized the lavish lifestyle, the Duchess' wardrobe and jewels, her society friends, etc. Here, we are privy to the other side of their lives: one in which Wallis and Edward devoted enormous amounts of their personal time and money to helping those persons less fortunate than themselves. Of particular interest is their years spent in the Bahamas, when the Duke was Governor-General, and Wallis spent years coordinating efforts to improve the lives of native Bahamians. It is sad that Buckingham Palace ignored not only their charitable efforts, which the British Royal Family is so eager to promote in the UK with their "Civil Duties", but that Edward's brother, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth (now the Queen Mother) ensured that Edward and Wallis were not allowed to represent the Royal Family within the UK itself. King George lived in great fear that their popularity with the common people of Britain (and all over the world) would usurp his authority as monarch supreme.

All in all this is a story to be remembered for all time.

I was disappointed at the factual errors in this book as well as the poor proofreading. On the edition I read the jacket itself refers to Edward as King Edward VII rather than King Edward VIII. The name of Wallis's chauffeur is spelled both Ladbrook and Ladbrooke on successive pages. The decorator Stephan Boudin is said to be with the Maison Jensen rather than Maison Janson. The most egregious error was on p. 395 where the author states that the motto of the Prince of Wales is "Dieu et mon Droit" when the correct motto is "Ich Dien."
One hopes these errors were corrected in subsequent editions of this book.

Greg King has at last given us a fair and balanced look at the amazing life of the Duchess Of Windsor. Other books by Higham and Donaldson portrayed her as this heartless, conniving, manipulative witch, accusing her of everything but the holacaust, and world hunger.

However Mr. King has given us a in depth look at the life of this woman, and digs beneath the Buckingham Palace vendetta of the Queen Mother, and the lies, and innuendoes spread about this woman for years, without any regard for the truth by someone who should have known better.

Without a doubt interesting reading, and it will change your mind on her, as it did on me, and open up a look at a life lived to the fullest by this fascinating & complex woman.

Thorough, but long, biography of the late Duchess. I think King needed a tougher editor to tighten up the book, as there is a lot of repetition about certain areas of the Duchess' life (such as the abdication crisis) that have been covered in many other books. It's a good read, but it is too long (over 500 pages, not counting the notes and index!).

I was looking forward to reading a positive account of the Duchess after all the negative publicity she garnered during her lifetime. But this borders on historical fiction. Throughout this book, King ascribes emotions and motives to various individuals without any supporting evidence. He will take a case of poor judgment that involves two parties, and call it "naivety" on the part of the first and "maliciousness" on the part of the other, without any substantiating facts for either. Most of the book had me feeling rather skeptical. Parts of it made me cringe, because they tried so hard to justify the more human qualities (mistakes, failures, challenges, etc.) right out of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor by vilifying everyone else around them. And most of the time, no excuses were needed as it would have been endearing.

King's portrayal of the Duke makes him seem like a goofy, lovesick, bumbling celebrity king has-been. Wallis emerges as a cold, calculating woman who by no means loved her husband as much as he loved her, but married him to do the "noble" thing and prove she wasn't after his money. I find this account bizarre, and would recommend instead reading Wallis's letters, which provide a much clearer, and more flattering, portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

There's absolutely nothing new or revelatory in this book that hasn't already been discussed to death in a hundred other much better written works. King is amateurish and superficial in the extreme with this subject, as he always is with his other books. I just don't get it! How does he keep writing these mediocre works? What gives