THE NO 1
- ASIN : B0BDMVC86V
- Publisher : Michael Joseph (December 8, 2022)
- Publication date : December 8, 2022
- Language : English
- File size : 27369 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 571 pages
CC –
The REAL Elizabeth, from someone who knows
This is the best, most insightful book I have ever read about Queen Elizabeth II. The author knew her well, respected her and clearly loved her as a person and as Queen. In this book, he gives a true insider’s historical account of the Queen, Prince Philip and the royal family. He does so with accuracy, dignity and care — refraining from silly gossip, because he doesn’t need to gossip… he actually knew them for years, as human beings. Highly recommended.
Snyder Fam B'vue –
Gyles never gets it wrong
Once again the close friend of the late Duke of Edinburgh produces a thorough and accurate description of the most beloved woman in history. Truly insightful and original.
Susan Snodgrass –
Well done
I have long followed the royal family and enjoy good books about them. This one is very well done and written by someone who actually knows the late queen and spent time with her and her husband. It is very well written and so readable. Not like a boring biography at all. Totally held my attention. If you enjoy reading about the royals, I can highly recommend this one.
AngelaB –
Great Read
I really enjoyed so much first-hand interaction between the author and the Queen and Prince Philip. I would surely recommend reading this book!
Kay –
American Scot read interesting book
Good read. Inside story stuff for the love of the monarchy. Historical information but some was incorrect! For instance-Prince George, Duke of Kent was killed in 1942 during WWII, not died in 1968…Gyles you surely know better?!
Jo Lori Drake –
Well done!
Well-written with many touching vignettes.
Starboy98 –
The Best Book About HM Queen Elizabeth I’ve Ever Read
This is the book to read if you want a real insider’s view of a most remarkable person. Mr. Brandreth has shared asides and observations like no one else ever has. He had the trust of the royal family and his presentation has done nothing to violate that trust or in any way disrespect his subject. Truly a fascinating book. My only complaint is a few minor editing errors. Mr. Brandreth, the Queen was 55 years old in 1981 not 45 when she so valiantly and calmly handled the “Trooping of the Colour” shooting incident. Additionally, you gave the birth year of Michael Parker as 1923 and stated he was 2 years older than Prince Phillip. The Duke of Edinburgh was born in 1921. Finally, you stated that Charles and Camilla were wed in 2004 – not the correct year of 2005. Other than issues like these, the book is a brilliant achievement.
Freya –
Perfect
Any new books about the Queen are always a bit of a worry, as you never know if there’s going to be an attempt at a sensational, and potentially insulting angle. That said, this is from Gyles Brandreth, who is known for his obvious and deep affection for the Queen, so I thought it would be a safe bet to buy for my mum.
Although this book is very good indeed, there is a fair amount of cross-over with Philip, a Final Portrait; I personally don’t mind that, as obviously both books relate to each other and the book would be the poorer without the content, but it won’t suit everyone. I like the tone of this book and find it to be an easy to read. Although there are some personal notes about the Queen and an obviously strong friendship that shines through, we only get a few sneaky peaks of things that may not already be known, and a lot of the mystery remains. There is only so much that the Queen allowed her public to see, and this book upholds that approach, which I really like.
Happy to recommend.
Jennifer Bartram –
The style of Elizabeth the Second.
Style can be addressed to someone’s title rather than their clothing or mode of behaviour and GB’s observations of the late Queen address the monarch, the figurehead of the United Kingdom and Colonies , our Queen. He does so through observations of his own and those of others who lived or worked closely with her over a very long life of service. There is a strong slant of his research formed from his studies of her late husband but sometimes , briefly we see behind the veil of Royalty and duty which the late Queen rarely lifted and we see the young adoring naval wife, the fond mother of four children, the loving , laughing caring woman with an impish sense of humour before the veil settles once again and we see the mother of nations performing day in day out, year round duties for her Nations and peoples. Not counting the costs and not in expectation of any reward.
A book of glimpses,no doubt to be followed by many books analysing every move and comment made during a long lifetime but pleasantly done with great affection.
Chris –
An Antidote to Spare
Fed up of the Harry and Meghan Self Aggrandising tour of the chat shows then this is a book that provides a more mellow and sophisticated tone.
The tone of this is rather more subtle referring to the Queens recollection of H and M calling their child Lilibet. Harry states he asked permission. His grasp of fantasy and reality blurred since his move to the storytelling capital of the world.
Here it simply states, ‘The Queen remembers it differently’. A woman of dignity.