In December of 1936, King Edward VIII of Great Britain shocked the world by giving up his kingdom in order to marry a twice-divorced American commoner named Wallis Simpson. The King and Mrs. Simpson recounts the extraordinary love story between the popular King and the enigmatic woman that began at a party in England and culminated with the downfall of his reign nearly six years later. The story has been told before but The King and Mrs. Simpson differs from the other books written about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The King and Mrs. Simpson is a narrative history that utilizes flashbacks, short passages and dialouge from their memoirs. The King and Mrs. Simpson reads like a story and is sized like a novella, but still captures the historical detail that makes their story one of legend.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
It's something right out of a fairy tale a powerful monarch tossing aside his crown for love. The King and Mrs. Simpson: The True Story of a Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King is the reality of this true story that happened seventy years ago. Though the events really did happen, the approach treats them like a story out of a romance novel, choosing the avenue of creative nonfiction and using it well. Drawn from the couple's letters and documents, The King and Mrs. Simpson: The True Story of a Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King is sure to please those who like their history with a little flair, and a must for community library creative nonfiction collections. --The Midwest Book Review
Folks who enjoy learning history in easy ways will enjoy The King and Mrs. Simpson, the True Story of the Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King written by Erin Frances Schulz. It is a beach history book which is defined as a snapshot of the past. This book reads more like a novella and centers around the events of the growing romance of Wallis Simpson and the English prince who became King Edward VIII. It is not a lengthy tome of facts and figures but rather a bare-bones retelling of what many have called the love affair and story of the 20th century. The book outlines briefly the lives of Simpson and her prince prior to the time they met in 1931. Simpson was a divorcee and re-married at the time the two met in England at the home of the princess’s mistress. The rest of the story is fraught with the growing criticism of the English people for their beloved prince who had endeared himself to his people. Edward VIII mistakenly thought he could flaunt tradition and social requirements and still be king with his beloved Simpson by his side. When he realized she would not be accepted by his country, he abdicated to spend the rest of his life in exile with his chosen wife. The contents of this book cover not only their romance and actual wedding, but offer many thoughts on the various other occurrences of the years prior to their marriage in 1937. All the elements of scandal, intrigue, and social criticism and demands of any monarchy are found in this highly readable book. This is a history book which can be carried in a purse, briefcase or pocket. Its paperback format makes it an easy read. Its contents command attention to the story which demanded so much attention it its time. -- Clinton Daily News
Erin Frances Schulz, in her debut book, which is the beginning of an expected BEACH HISTORY: A Snapshot of the Past series of books does a completely entertaining and interesting job of recounting the story of Wallis and Edward, through the abdication. That is no small task.
Ms. Schulz does an excellent job in balancing historical fact with emotional tone. One would hope for that talent in what is essentially a very high level overview of the abdication. In lesser hands, this book might bore to tears which would defeat it's author's intended purpose: to introduce history to readers who would not otherwise read biographies or historical books.
Duke & Duchess of Windsor Society members are probably the best litmus test for the efficacy or veracity of any writings related to WE. Like most Society members, I've read just about everything that has been written by or about the couple. And yet, I found this to be a thoroughly captivating overview of their epic story that was a pleasure to read.
There are two important things that members should note about this book:
The first is that the author has written the book based upon the Windsor's autobiographies, A King's Story and The Heart Has Reasons as the fundamental basis for the narrative. The author's notes at the end of the book are quite specific about this: Note on the sources: the use of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's memoirs as primary sources was intentional. The King and Mrs. Simpson, although researched extensively, is meant to be the story as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor wanted it be told.
I find the sentence above quite remarkable. Why should the abdication be told by any other authority than the two most principle individuals involved? Why would Stanley Baldwin's account, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's account, Queen Mary's wishes supersede that of the two principle figures in this amazing drama?
Which leads me to my second point: This is not meant to be the new, defining book about the Windsors and the abdication. This book will hopefully introduce new generations who wouldn't normally learn about this story, which in my opinion, happens to be one of the most important events in the twentieth century as it was a catalyst for so much modern history subsequently.
Given Ms. Schulz objective which is to educate new readers to history, she makes a brilliant debut with this first book. The vibrancy of the Windsor story never seems to lose it's sheen.
This is a perfectly enjoyable and nostalgic look for the true Windsor-phile. And even the most jaded of readers, I include myself as such, will find this to be a refreshing and, most of all, promising, book about a story that should not be forgotten.
I hope Windsor-philes will do everything you can to help to get this book noticed. If you are a member of a reading club this would make an excellent reading title. You might give this book to all your friends as holiday gifts (In The Mitford Sisters Letters I read that the Windsors gave all of their friends Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford for Christmas one year). Or, you might suggest to have the author come visit your local book or library.
Why? Because Ms. Schulz and her book are on a mission to introduce the Wallis and Edward story to generations now and in the future. Which might, like it did me when I first read about their story, or currently, Madonna, send the reader off on a mission to read every book about the Windsors. -- Mark Gaulding, Publisher and Editor, The Duke & Duchess of Windsor Society Quarterly Journal
Folks who enjoy learning history in easy ways will enjoy The King and Mrs. Simpson, the True Story of the Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King written by Erin Frances Schulz. It is a beach history book which is defined as a snapshot of the past. This book reads more like a novella and centers around the events of the growing romance of Wallis Simpson and the English prince who became King Edward VIII. It is not a lengthy tome of facts and figures but rather a bare-bones retelling of what many have called the love affair and story of the 20th century. The book outlines briefly the lives of Simpson and her prince prior to the time they met in 1931. Simpson was a divorcee and re-married at the time the two met in England at the home of the princess’s mistress. The rest of the story is fraught with the growing criticism of the English people for their beloved prince who had endeared himself to his people. Edward VIII mistakenly thought he could flaunt tradition and social requirements and still be king with his beloved Simpson by his side. When he realized she would not be accepted by his country, he abdicated to spend the rest of his life in exile with his chosen wife. The contents of this book cover not only their romance and actual wedding, but offer many thoughts on the various other occurrences of the years prior to their marriage in 1937. All the elements of scandal, intrigue, and social criticism and demands of any monarchy are found in this highly readable book. This is a history book which can be carried in a purse, briefcase or pocket. Its paperback format makes it an easy read. Its contents command attention to the story which demanded so much attention it its time. -- Clinton Daily News
Erin Frances Schulz, in her debut book, which is the beginning of an expected BEACH HISTORY: A Snapshot of the Past series of books does a completely entertaining and interesting job of recounting the story of Wallis and Edward, through the abdication. That is no small task.
Ms. Schulz does an excellent job in balancing historical fact with emotional tone. One would hope for that talent in what is essentially a very high level overview of the abdication. In lesser hands, this book might bore to tears which would defeat it's author's intended purpose: to introduce history to readers who would not otherwise read biographies or historical books.
Duke & Duchess of Windsor Society members are probably the best litmus test for the efficacy or veracity of any writings related to WE. Like most Society members, I've read just about everything that has been written by or about the couple. And yet, I found this to be a thoroughly captivating overview of their epic story that was a pleasure to read.
There are two important things that members should note about this book:
The first is that the author has written the book based upon the Windsor's autobiographies, A King's Story and The Heart Has Reasons as the fundamental basis for the narrative. The author's notes at the end of the book are quite specific about this: Note on the sources: the use of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's memoirs as primary sources was intentional. The King and Mrs. Simpson, although researched extensively, is meant to be the story as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor wanted it be told.
I find the sentence above quite remarkable. Why should the abdication be told by any other authority than the two most principle individuals involved? Why would Stanley Baldwin's account, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's account, Queen Mary's wishes supersede that of the two principle figures in this amazing drama?
Which leads me to my second point: This is not meant to be the new, defining book about the Windsors and the abdication. This book will hopefully introduce new generations who wouldn't normally learn about this story, which in my opinion, happens to be one of the most important events in the twentieth century as it was a catalyst for so much modern history subsequently.
Given Ms. Schulz objective which is to educate new readers to history, she makes a brilliant debut with this first book. The vibrancy of the Windsor story never seems to lose it's sheen.
This is a perfectly enjoyable and nostalgic look for the true Windsor-phile. And even the most jaded of readers, I include myself as such, will find this to be a refreshing and, most of all, promising, book about a story that should not be forgotten.
I hope Windsor-philes will do everything you can to help to get this book noticed. If you are a member of a reading club this would make an excellent reading title. You might give this book to all your friends as holiday gifts (In The Mitford Sisters Letters I read that the Windsors gave all of their friends Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford for Christmas one year). Or, you might suggest to have the author come visit your local book or library.
Why? Because Ms. Schulz and her book are on a mission to introduce the Wallis and Edward story to generations now and in the future. Which might, like it did me when I first read about their story, or currently, Madonna, send the reader off on a mission to read every book about the Windsors. -- Mark Gaulding, Publisher and Editor, The Duke & Duchess of Windsor Society Quarterly Journal
About the Author
Erin Frances Schulz is an American writer who was born in Newport, Rhode Island in 1975. She holds a baccalaureate in history from Fordham University in New York City and a master's degree in international affairs from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC. She lives in New York with her husband.
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More About the Author
Erin Frances Schulz is an American writer who was born in Newport, Rhode Island in 1975. She holds an honors baccalaureate in history from Fordham University and a master's degree in international affairs from American University's School of International Service. She lives in New York with her husband and is currently undertaking research for her second book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Little Short, but Sweet.,
This review is from: The King and Mrs. Simpson: The True Story of the Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King (Paperback)
To some extent I feel a little guilty that many of the things I did not like about this book were honestly stated in the book itself. Promoted as a "Beach History,"The King and Mrs. Simpson is meant to be a short "snapshot" of a specific historical event, not an exhaustive portrait of a period in time. While the concept appeals, (How many times have I gotten mired in the description of something like a naval battle when all I was trying to read about was the mistresses of a certain king?) it is my opinion that the execution fell a little flat.For one thing, the story was so far from exhaustive as to be overly brief. I knew very little about the romance between Edward and the American divorcee to begin with, and after having read this book, I feel like I know little more. I was excited to read their story -- I've always found it romantic -- but the barest details were offered. While there is a natural drama to the story, the brevity never really allows the proper suspense to build. In the end, all I really got was the briefest structure of a story, when what I was hoping for was a tight focus that would really look into one particular aspect of history. Another disappointment was the lack of photographs. Many were referenced in the tale and it would have been lovely to have them to look at after having them described. However, I know I'm a little unusual. My last "beach book" was The Grapes of Wrath. I like books with heft -- especially biographies. So I suppose there is an audience for this brief "narrative history." I, however, will be looking into the recommended reading that Schulz thoughtfully provides at the end of the story.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't Waste Your Money on this Book,
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This review is from: The King and Mrs. Simpson: The True Story of the Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King (Paperback)
This book is the length of a short story and is not worth the time it takes to read it. If it belongs anywhere, it is in a teen magazine for young girls who want a simply-told love story without any detail or depth or analysis. If it was submitted to a high school English teacher as an essay, it would recieve a grade of C for content and a D for all its mistakes of grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, and usage. Don't waste you money on this poorly-prepared and badly-written book.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Do Not Waste Your Time,
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This review is from: The King and Mrs. Simpson: The True Story of the Commoner Who Captured the Heart of a King (Paperback)
I do hate to be so negative, but I was very disappointed by this book, and wanted to share my experience with others, should they too be tempted to purchase the book. I was looking for a good book about Wallace Simpson. After reading the reviews on this site, I purchased this book for my Kindle. It is VERY short and written in a very basic, almost pedantic manner. It only covers the period up until the King's abdication, and the is SORELY lacking in details. I found it -- honestly -- to be a complete waste. I did learn about Wallace's childhood and first marriages, but there was SO much left unanswered. I kept hoping the author would pull on interesting threads and flesh them out, but it never happened.
I am going to try another Simpson biography, but I cannot recommend this one at all.
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Lord Brownlow, Lady Furness, Prime Minister, Aunt Bessie, Queen Mary, Walter Monckton, United States, Prince of Wales, Lord Beaverbrook, New York, Ernest Simpson, George Allen, Royal Family, San Diego, Great Britain, Inspector Evans, Queen Victoria, Buckingham Palace, Prince Albert, Lou Viei, Kaiser Wilhelm, World War, Hong Kong, King Edward, King George Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Lord Brownlow, Lady Furness, Prime Minister, Aunt Bessie, Queen Mary, Walter Monckton, United States, Prince of Wales, Lord Beaverbrook, New York, Ernest Simpson, George Allen, Royal Family, San Diego, Great Britain, Inspector Evans, Queen Victoria, Buckingham Palace, Prince Albert, Lou Viei, Kaiser Wilhelm, World War, Hong Kong, King Edward, King George Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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