The Windsor Story [Hardcover]

J. Bryan III (Author), Charles J.V. Murphy (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 639 pages
• Publisher: Outlet; 1st edition (November 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517314681
• ISBN-13: 978-0517314685
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #964,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Love The Windsors This Is THE Book To Own!, December 2, 2010

By 

Anna V. Carroll - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Windsor Story (Hardcover)

I have virtually every book written about Wallis Warfield and the Prince of Wales. This large book is, by far, the most accurate and informative. It will take you days to read as there are so many facts and stories on each page. They name names and back up the comments as the men and women involved gave them the information personally. Does it gloss over certain aspects of their lives? Yes. This is not an expose. It is a history book of the British Royal Family from the late 1800s onward.

While this story seems no big deal today (almost 2011), one can imagine the Royal Family going through a daily hell wondering when the next shoe was going to drop with regard to the flirtations of the Prince. The truth is told in many comments by his friends and servants that the Prince of Wales did not want to be King. Ever. If it had not been Mrs. Simpson who had distracted him from his Kingly duties, it would have been someone else.

I have never read a more thorough book on any subject as this one. You learn everything about what was going on in England (and Europe) at the time and even what was served at parties at The Fort and Mrs. Simpson's home in London! Who wore what. Who drank what. Who said what and when.

At the end of the day, these were two very shallow, selfish people. They lived selfish lives and spent hundreds of millions of dollars over their life time on parties, clothes, travel and drink. It was no surprise to read this week of the latest sale of the Duchess of Windsor's jewels. They were bought by someone (a couple of significant pieces) for $12 million. These jewels will dazzle for generations to come. What I would give to own the diamond and emerald brooch with the initials WE!! That piece was in the lot and I envy the lady who is going to be wearing it!

If you have any interest in the British Royal Famiy pre-Charles and Diana/Camilla, you must buy this book for your collection. Some day in the future it will not be available and you will regret not buying it while you can. It is a masterpiece.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Told From the Perspective of Both Persons Most Intimately Involved, March 7, 2010

By 

Flazatty "flazatty" (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Windsor story (Hardcover)

One of the authors was primarily familiar with Wallis Simpson, and the other with the Duke of Windsor. In the early pages, the book is therefore a parallel biography which comes together as they meet and their relationship develops. Very intersting biographical material about both of them, and the circumstances which led British society to oppose the marriage. Writing style could have been livelier and clearer, but on balance, a valuable contribution to an event which caused the British a lot of heartburn in the 1930's and beyond.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever on the story of the Windsors, October 12, 2010

By 

Kinks4ever "elsbeth1234" (SF Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Windsor Story (Hardcover)

Who can't help being caught up with story of the King of England who left the throne because he wanted to marry a woman whom everyone in power detested? It's truly fascinating reading and methodical, detailed (without being in questionable taste), and downright solid journalism. It covers everything, from Wallis' time in China to the camaraderie of the Duke and Duchess with the Nazis. And it captures the emptiness, the poignancy of an empty lifetime together. The Queen Mother's disgust and revulsion for Wallis made certain that the Duke could never return to England with Wallis-- because the entire royal family would shun her. She was never considered HRH which, by rights, she should have attained (Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, Elizabeth II's mother, was bestowed that title when she married the Duke of York (who became King George VI after Windsor abdicated). She was a commoner, yet she was accorded the honor. To the end of his life, Windsor was angry and disheartened that his wife wasn't accorded the honors she rightly deserved. The royal family treated them shabbily and, frankly, given that attitude, I was surprised that they would unbend enough to allow the Duke and Duchess be buried together in England.The Windsor Story