Diana: A Portrait in Her Own Words (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Smith's rather unsympathetic portrait of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is sure to receive a great deal of publicity (excerpts will be published in People). The author believes that the troubled princess was mentally ill, and she certainly presents a good deal of convincing evidence to bolster her case. Unfortunately, her eagerness to present virtually every incident in Diana's life as "proof" of her instability becomes somewhat tedious, and her assertion that Charles did not resume his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles until 1986, when the royal marriage had "irretrievably broken down," is undermined by its frequent repetition. Little attention is paid to Diana's charity work, and, surprisingly, Smith never manages to convey just what it was about Diana that inspired the love and admiration not only of millions worldwide who never met her but also of the friends and family who knew of her problems and faults. Given the unrelenting interest in Diana's life, however, this title is sure to be requested. The publisher of Diana: A Portrait in Her Own Words states that "this unique book is the result of a scrupulous worldwide search for every one of Diana's significant quotes." The book is organized by subject ("married life," "William and Harry," "The Royal Family," etc.). Unfortunately, the editor has chosen not to include dates and context for many of the quotes. Still, this is a browsable book for anyone interested in Diana's sometimes touching and occasionally contradictory words. Libraries that own Princess Diana: The Book of Love (Eagle Rose Pub., 1997), which covers roughly the same subject area, can probably skip this, unless demand dictates otherwise. As these two books remind us, the definitive biography of Diana remains to be written.AElizabeth Mary Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

In between her fairy-tale wedding and her premature death, there lived the most beloved royal presence of our century, surely as multifaceted as any celebrity of our time. The radical twists and turns in her brief life drew the fascination of millions. Yet the most photographed woman in the world was also the least quoted--her actual words were seldom heard, and never gathered, until now.

This unique book is the result of a scrupulous worldwide search for every one of Diana's significant quotes. Upon reading this collection, one will find that behind her shy veneer dwelled a woman of extraordinary resourcefulness, stamina, and, perhaps above all, vulnerability. In fact, her open frankness about the events and people around her is both disarming and startling. The reader will discover the sharp clarity, endless warmth, and ready wit that she brought to her legendary life in this intimate self-portrait. This is the closest we will ever get to an autobiography from the People's Princess.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (August 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068817003X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688170035
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,349,015 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Source Book, May 10, 2000

By	E. Voves (Philly, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's longer than most books of quotes from the Princess because Mr Adler presents the sweet and the sour.

The loving, the difficulties and the humor of Diana in her own words

People say those who love Diana believe she was a saint. No, she was far too interesting for that.

She's loved because she was entirety and gloriously human , and allowed it to show.

We are all works in progress. But imagen being the Priness of Wales and yet insisting on being yourself as well?

This book covers the terrain well

2.0 out of 5 stars I've heard it all before, April 26, 2006

By	Camdenkid (Forest Hill, MD USA) - See all my reviews

If you have read the more popular books about Diana, or watched any news coverage of her throughout her life, you have already read this book. There are many quotes from Andrew Morton's "Diana: Her True Story" as well as Diana's infamous Panorama interview. Most of the other quotes seem to be taken out of random small talk conversations and provide little insight.