Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II [Hardcover]

Robert Lacey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002

In February 6, 1952, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became Elizabeth II, Queen of England. Monarch is bestselling author Robert Lacey's unique biography of Elizabeth Windsor as well as his acute analysis of history's most durable symbol of political authority: the British monarchy.

Monarch is a revelatory examination of Elizabeth II as a human being and of an institution shaped over the years by the wishes and dreams -- and sometimes the anger and unhappiness -- of the British people. As such, it is both a celebration and an analysis of the world's best-known monarchy. Here are Elizabeth's ancestors and models: her great-grandmother Victoria (adored as a young queen, derided for her middle-aged seclusion from her subjects, and revered as the longest-reigning monarch in British history); the playboy Prince of Wales, later Edward VII; Elizabeth's grandfather George V; her adored uncle David, who abdicated as Edward VIII; her father, George VI; and her extraordinarily well loved mother, the Queen Mum. Monarch brings Elizabeth to life as never before: "Lillibet" as a baby, being instructed in the proper way to wave to a crowd; as a child, inspiring her people with radio addresses through the Blitz; annotating her books on constitutional law with carefully written notes on how to be a queen; and falling in love with her cousin Philip at age thirteen...for life. Here is Elizabeth ascending the throne at twenty-six as the subject of the world's first worldwide television broadcast...watched by virtually everyone in the United States who owned a TV. This is the inside story of the world's most watched family, for whom the attention of millions has been attracted to each triumph or scandal: Princess Margaret's on-again, off-again "engagement" to RAF hero Peter Townsend, and her marriage to and divorce from Lord Snowdon; the Windsors' glorious 1980s, with a royal wedding and a birth practically every year; and their horrific 1990s, with a head-spinning assortment of financial scandals, divorces, and even a fire that devastated Windsor Castle. And here, of course, is a nuanced and sympathetic look at Diana, the most complicated royal of all, whose life and death marked both the deepest decline and the redemption of the House of Windsor.

But finally, this is the story of Elizabeth herself: her bravery in the face of family crises and IRA assassination threats; her lifelong love affair with Philip (and its not always salutary effect on her children); and her heroic -- and very English -- understanding of the duty of a constitutional monarch. No matter what opinion readers have already formed about the Queen -- who may not yet be Britain's longest-reigning sovereign, but who has earned the title of the monarch who has put in the most hours of work -- Monarch is certain to remind them of her remarkable resilience, simplicity, character, and courage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As a child, Princess Elizabeth longed "to live in the country with lots of horses and dogs." That dream came to a crashing end when her uncle, King Edward VII, followed his heart instead of his head, giving up the throne for an American divorcee. The princess's fate was sealed: not only was she destined to become Queen of England, but as Lacey shows in this skillfully constructed biography, nearly every upheaval of her otherwise quiet and dutiful 50-year reign would be the direct consequence of impetuous relatives putting personal needs above royal responsibility. It's all here: the romantic debacles of Di, Fergie, Margaret, Ann, Charles and Andrew, as well as Prince Philip's unfailing ability to insert his foot in his mouth ("How nice to be in a country that is not ruled by its people," he said to Paraguayan dictator Alfredo Stroessner in 1969). Through it all, there have been two constants: the Queen is pragmatic and restrained, and the media is all over every mucky story. Lacey, veteran royal historian and biographer (The Queen Mother's Century, etc.), writes with the cooperation of the Palace, and his portrait is sympathetic, but he also offers an incisive analysis of the development of royal media coverage (which started with Queen Victoria and the invention of the camera) and the relationship between the two powerful entities, setting this apart from and far above the average by-the-numbers royal bio.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Although Lacey discusses Queen Elizabeth II's formative years and family life, his 16th book is not so much a biography as an examination of "the diminishing boundaries of [the royal family's] personal privacy" in the 20th century. Significant events, such as King George VI's death, Charles's and Andrew's doomed marriages, and the queen's financial status, are considered in light of how they are treated by the media and viewed by the public. Also highlighted are Mass-Observation, a volunteer organization used to measure the public's response to the royal family, and the intrusive tabloid press. Prince Charles cites the media's aggressive role in his rushed (and unfortunate) choice of a bride, and Lacey shows that Diana's own on-again, off-again relationship with the paparazzi served only to emphasize her insecurities. Plodding in parts, Lacey's work reveals little that is new about the queen, but it is a mature and thoughtful discussion of the public's evolving relationship with the British royal family. Recommended only for large public libraries with a special collection on the British monarchy. Isabel Coates, Canada Customs & Revenue Agency, Ont.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1 edition (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743235592
• ISBN-13: 978-0743235594
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"It's all here," says Tom Brokaw " - Islam, the family tree, a sea of oil and money to match, palace intrigue and the place of Osama Bin Laden. This is high drama and an epic tale. Dazzling - on every level". Robert Lacey is an historian and biographer whose research has taken him from the Middle East ("The Kingdom: Arabia and the House of Saud") to America's Mid-West ("Ford: the Men and the Machine"). "Majesty", his pioneering biography of Queen Elizabeth II, is the definitive study of British monarchy - a subject on which Robert lectures around the world, appearing regularly on ABC's Good Morning America and on CNN's Larry King Live. To research and write his latest book, "Inside the Kingdom", he went to live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for three years. You can read more about Robert's new book - and also view his acclaimed TV film report for PBS NOW on Saudi extremists - on his website www.insidethekingdom.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reliable information, reliable sources, July 7, 2002

By 

shirley lieb (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II (Hardcover)

This book about the reign of QEII, goes behind the scenes and makes you feel a part of history, all without the tabloid style information that appear in some papers. Mr. Lacey's research is meticulous and his sources are close enough to the monarch that we knew these people witnessed the events first hand.

The book does a very good job of describing the situation that developed at the time of the death of Diana. It was interesting to find out that the queen herself approved of all of the plans for the funeral, many in fact were her idea. While not diminishing the role of Prince Charles in the arrangements, the queen and her staff were largely responsible for that memorable day.

It was also interesting to find out that Diana's sons had distanced themselves from her that summer because of her romance with Dodi. And also that her brother in law Sir Robert Fellowes was not the villian he has often portrayed to be in other books, where his feelings for Diana were concerned.

The history leading up to the accession of QEII is always fascinating and is well handled here in the book. The scenarios surrounding the plans for the coronation and her wedding give a real inside look at the royal family.

After reading this book, I was a little disappointed in some members of the family and staff, liked other even more and found a great respect for the woman herself. While she can be stubborn and dig in when the chips fall against her, she can also quickly see the light and move with the tide. Most particularly in the flag flap at the time of Diana's death.

I give high marks to this book. There is so much interesting history in the book that is can be read again and again and still hold the reader's interest.

On a more picky note, I found several mistakes in the book. On page xi of the Royal Who's Who, Edward the VII is listed as being made Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1911. That would be Edward the VIII, since Edward the VII was already dead in 1911. On page 36, we have a coach careering around an area instead of careening. Lastly on page 151, they have Prince Phillip at 26 in 1946 and on the next page, age 24 in the same year.

Nevertheless, this book should entertain and inform all people who follow the lives of the royal family. There is a nice mix of political fact and the freshness of looking at last behind the palace walls. This book stays in my collection as a wonderful testament to the woman we are all more than a little curious about. Whether she is wrong or right about certain things, she cetainly has staying power.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life in A Royal Fishbowl, June 29, 2002

By 

R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II (Hardcover)

I've often wondered just what the Queen of England does. With no real governmental power and, seemingly at least, nothing much to do, hers looked (to me on this side of the pond)like a totally useless life.

Lacey's book doesn't answer my questions but it does seem that although she may not have the power of the President of the United States, she wields a power of her own that is just as important to her people. This book, however, focuses more on the person and her life than on her job.

"Lillibet" dreamed of a quiet life with horses and dogs and what she got was life in the fishbowl of royalty with horses, dogs, Parliamentary boxes and public scrutiny. Luxury, yes, but luxury well earned in terms of personal sacrifice. Where others triumph and suffer the "trials and tribulations" of living in quiet peace, Queen Elizabeth experiences much the same under the unforgiving -- and often misunderstanding -- glare of fame. It is not an enviable position.

Robert Lacey has a number of impressive biographies in his repertoire (THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HENRY VIII, ROBERT, EARL OF ESSEX and SIR WALTER RALEIGH, to name a few) and his work is imminently readable. MONARCH, The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II is not only beautifully written and researched, it's downright fascinating in its portrayal of a woman touched by destiny and pride. I can't help but hope he'll follow this by an equally beautifully written and thoroughly researched book on what she does.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Boring Parts + Fascinating Passages = Decent Biography, March 19, 2005

By 

Allyn "pianogirl" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II (Paperback)

Obviously, Robert Lacey is a dedicated biographer. His book is characterized by research, depth, and scope. What's more, he doesn't resort to cheap sensationalism to add a few more chapters. Yet somehow, "Monarch" is still one of those books that doesn't just capture you and leave you gushing about how wonderful it was.

Lacey begins his book by attempting to chronicle the development of the "modern" royal family, beginning with reign of Queen Victoria and providing glimpses into several other monarchs' rule. It would be true to say that these "foundations" help one understand the current queen. Occasionally, this extended history lesson was just plain fascinating, too, imparting nuggets of history that any royal buff delights in.

Unfortunately, the history lessons definitely became too textbook-ish at times, too. Lacey has an extremely unfortunate habit of seeming to bring up every single name, place, and government activity when talking about an event. This leaves the reader with an overly long and dull account of event that could have been summed up much more interestingly.

The same analysis, to a lesser extent, holds true for the queen's own story in this book. At times, Lacey fabulously describes people and events, knows just where to place a well-chosen quote, and makes one want to read about the queen's life forever (as in the opening chapters about the queen's dealings with Diana's funeral). Yet the "bogged-down-in-boring-detail" problem still surfaced in this part (the parts dealing with the Margaret-Townsend affair were dry and too long).

Lacey is certainly to be commended for his obvious knowledge about the queen, and it is also fortunate for readers that he is able to convey his respect for the queen while still offering up intelligent, constructive criticism. If you really must read everything about the British royal family or the queen, this is a solid offering, yet other readers would probably enjoy Carolly Erickson's masterfully written "Lillibet" much more.