The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor [Hardcover]

Hugo Vickers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996

Featuring recently discovered photographs from the private collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, this remarkable book provides a fresh view of this intriguing couple whose story is perhaps the most romantic one of the 20th century. 400 full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When the Duchess of Windsor died in 1986, the lease of her Paris villa, near the Bois de Boulogne, and its contents had to be disposed of. Along came Mohamed Al Fayed, the Egyptian-born owner of Harrods, "the international businessman and philanthropist" who had already bought and refurbished the Paris Ritz. This sumptuous selection of photographs from the collections of the ex-king and his duchess, flanked by others of the restored house actually owned by the city of Paris, is a dual biography of the expatriate pair with the harsh edges softened, and a public relations exercise for Mohamed Al Fayed. Voyeurs of English royalty will be transfixed, as many of the photos are unfamiliar and often brilliantly reproduced, although in no sense historically significant. The text, by the author of lives of Cecil Beaton and Greta Garbo, retells the familiar tale of the aging playboy king who relinquished his crown for the ambitious, twice-divorced American. Their prewar fling with the Nazis and their lengthy life in exile are handled with loyal tact. Following the social seasons and migrations with Wallis and Edward, punctuated by their brief meetings with such postwar figures as President Nixon and Generalissimo Franco's son-in-law, proves dull viewing, especially when accompanied by lifeless prose. The net effect, emphasized by the 400 illustrations, is one of expensive but uninspired lives.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Royalty lovers never tire of accounts of the fabled duke and duchess of Windsor--he the British king who, in 1936, abdicated the throne to marry her, an American divorcee. And now comes this splendidly engrossing book. In 1986, the duchess of Windsor died, 14 years after the duke; their Paris mansion and all its contents were purchased by a wealthy Egyptian businessman, who restored the property to the shine it had when its famous occupants were in their prime. In the restoration process, a lidded bathtub was opened to reveal a cache of 10,000 personal photographs; a selection is now published in this oversize volume. Additionally, other photos found in the house, as well as newspaper clippings kept in scrapbooks, are reproduced across these arresting pages. Vickers' discerning textual accompaniment follows the lives of the duke and duchess from their very disparate upbringings through their controversial marriage. For all popular European history collections. Brad Hooper

Product Details

• Hardcover: 239 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; 1st edition (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789202263
• ISBN-13: 978-0789202260
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #484,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vapid, yes...though totally fascinating..., March 11, 2001

By 

Kamahinaohoku "jswier12" (bergenfield, nj United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Hardcover)

I can't help it. Even though I believe that the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor were probably two of the most self-serving people ever to exist on the face of the planet, I find them totally fascinating. And this book lets us into their domaine. Imagine a man so totally mesmerized by this woman, that not only did he leave her a fresh flower on her pillow every night of their married life, he slept surrounded by photos of her (separate bedrooms). There were 10,000 photos of them in his bathtub (covered with a mahogany top. He ONLY showered.) that were discovered after her death. That means for the duration of the time that they were married, they were photographed approximately 300 times a year. Every year. The photographs of the refurbished decor in the Paris house were fascinating. Too bad everything was sold after Dodi & Diana's death. This book is truly a window into a lifestyle that no longer exists.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and readable coffee table book., September 29, 2008

By 

Susan H. Giron (moving to Alaska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Hardcover)

Filled with photos as well as text the book gives more than a glimpse into the very glamorous lives of two of the most well-known figures of modern times. Without delving into the sad and selfish portions of their lives and experiences I found this book to be totally enjoyable and recommend it to anyone who can relax and enjoy the gloss and romance of their lives.

15 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally a sneak peek into their very private world, September 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Hardcover)

I was very impressed with the photography and the information contained in this book. Wallis Simpson is amazing, she comes off as more chic and more royal than any of the royals. Fascinating inside look into that very glamorous era, and it's most powerful couple.