The Duchess Of Windsor: The Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson [Hardcover]

Greg King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Popular biographer Greg King revisits the love story of the century with sympathy in this story about the romantic marriage between King Edward VIII and Wallis Warfield Simpson, a twice-divorced American. of photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

It may not be the greatest story ever told, but the tale of the duke and duchess of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII of Britain and Wallis Warfield Simpson of Baltimore) is certainly one of the most perennial stories ever told. King, author of The Last Empress (1994), about the consort of Nicholas II of Russia, and The Man Who Killed Rasputin (1995), the story of the murder of the monk who obsessed the last czar and his wife, now throws another biography of the duchess of Windsor into the ring. It is not exactly a whitewash, but it is the author's intention to cast a good light on his subject. The duchess certainly was no villain, and although King seems a little naive in places when it comes to explaining her actions and reasoning, he is right on target when insisting that the royal family did much to damage the duchess' image by undermining her at every possible turn, even long after the abdication. For comprehensive collections of royal history. Brad Hooper

From Kirkus Reviews

This readable, thoroughly researched biography of the much maligned duchess convincingly lays to rest much of the negative gossipincluding reports of her sexual eccentricitiesthat swirled around the duchess and her husband in the nearly 40 years they were married. King (The Last Empress, not reviewed, etc.) set out to write ``a fair and favorable'' biography of Wallis Warfield Simpson, the twice-divorced woman whose last husband, King Edward VIII of England, abdicated his throne in order to marry her. King has succeeded for the most part, illuminating details of Wallis's dramatic life from her birth near Baltimore in 1896 to her lonely death in Paris nearly 90 years later. Outlining a privileged, although not affluent, upbringing in Baltimore society, the author describes her subjects first marriage to a US Navy flier who was verbally and physically abusive; and her second marriage to Ernest Simpson, who brought her to live in London, where she met the then prince of Wales, soon to become king. Although Wallis was neither beautiful or brilliant, Edward (called David by intimates) ``seemed bewitched,'' showering her with attention and jewels. Her appeal lay in her southern charm and ability to focus completely on the man she loved, asserts King. Once she was married, Wallis's commitment to decorating houses, visiting couturiers, and creating for her husband a life appropriate to the former king of England was relieved by the Windsors' service in the Bahamas during WWII. Wallis worked long and arduous days to improve health and education facilities for the poor of the Bahamas. Throughout the Windsors' marriage, the British royal family remained intransigent over extending any recognition to Wallis; the couple remained exiles from England, riding the social circuit between France and the US. It still seems a shallow and self-indulgent lifestyle, despite King's efforts to give it heft. Still, an intriguing slice of history with its centerpiece a royal romance nearly as riveting as the saga of Charles and Diana. (24 pages photos, not seen) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Citadel; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559724714
• ISBN-13: 978-1559724715
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,053,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Balanced View - At Last, December 22, 1999

By 

anneelise "anneliseirish" (Wyandotte, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duchess Of Windsor: The Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson (Hardcover)

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.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that would be approved by Wallis & Edward's Daughter., June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Duchess of Windsor: The Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson (Hardcover)

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.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Windsor Wonderland," a fresh and positive view., July 16, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Central Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duchess Of Windsor: The Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson (Hardcover)

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.