Queen Elizabeth cover art

Queen Elizabeth

The Queen Mother: The Official Biography

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Queen Elizabeth

By: William Shawcross
Narrated by: William Shawcross, Sophie Roberts
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About this listen

 Written with complete access to the Queen Mother's personal letters and diaries, William Shawcross's riveting biography is the truly definitive account of this remarkable woman, whose life spanned the 20th century.

Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes Lyon, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, was born on 4 August 1900. It might reasonably have been expected that she would lead a life of ease and privilege, but few could have imagined the profound effect she would have on Britain and its people. Her life spanned the whole of the 20th century and this official biography tells not only her story but, through it, that of the country she loved so devotedly.

Drawing on her private correspondence and other unpublished material from the Royal Archives, William Shawcross vividly reveals the witty girl who endeared herself to soldiers convalescing at Glamis in the First World War; the assured young Duchess of York; the Queen, at last feeling able to look the East End in the face at the height of the Blitz; the Queen Mother, representing the nation at home and abroad throughout her widowhood. It is the definitive portrait of a remarkable woman.

©2009 William Shawcross (P)2009 Macmillan Digital Audio Politicians Politics & Activism Biography Royalty Witty United Kingdom War Imperialism Winston Churchill Military Africa

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All stars
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Very good biography and well read by William and the female vocals as Queen Elizabeth.
Enjoyed the early years which the book mostly takes up but once the King dies the rest of the book feels rushed and like your not allowed to learn more about the Queen’s last 50 years which I felt was a shame. Could of been two books in a way.

Enjoyable Biography

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Well narrated and fascinating insight. I learnt a lot through the private letters and opinion of the time.

An incredible life

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Some could say that this was a little sugary sweet but I enjoyed it.

Queen Elizabeth: The Queen Mother

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This is a pleasant book that is easy to listen to. William Shawcross both writes and reads well, and obviously holds his subject in high regard. It tells the story of Queen Elizabeth's life from her Scottish childhood, through the abdication crisis, the war, and her widowhood, using letters, anecdotes and personal memories to enliven the narrative. Much of the material is known, of course, but some (like the closeness between Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary which emerges clearly from their letters) surprised me.

This book is itself as much a reflection of a vanished age as was the Queen Mother herself: Shawcross writes from the vantage point of a devoted courtier in an age when royalty was always treated with deference and allowed to keep its distance; so the Queen Mum is always 'sparkling', 'gracious', 'serene' or 'charming', and any thoughts or emotions she might have are always moderate and appropriate. No unflattering episodes are included, no awkward questions asked, and no attempt is made to explore her personal role in or reaction to events such as the abdication crisis or the divorce of the Prince and Princess of Wales; so although the beautiful and gracious icon is preserved throughout, the book gives one little sense of what sort of person she really was apart from her public persona.

Nonetheless this is a very enjoyable survey of the life of an extraordinary woman who was greatly loved and whose quiet influence permeated public life in Britain for a century.

A charming period piece

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loved it, very easy to listen to. would highly recommend. a fascinating life, so much more to this lady than what I knew.

great.

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A great book which tells the story of the real Queen Elizabeth, through her letters and memoirs.

Wonderful

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An engaging and thrilling insight into a woman who wasn't meant to be Queen. Stunning!

Stunning portrayal of a remarkable woman

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fluent reading and some surprises regarding how queen mother felt lonely when having to leave Buckingham Palace

lovely read

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I had alot of giggles,and some tears over this biography,a life well lived....good narration and well written.i could not stop listening.She certainly came at the right time for Our Country.

They do not make them like that anymore.

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Although she was never ment to be Queen she did a wonderful job. A rock to all the members of her family.

A life well lived

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