Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II

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Elizabeth was dutiful, reserved, reluctant to be the centre of attention, reticent with emotions and opinions.” There have always been people for and against the monarchy. Here is a quote from the book that I found put the situation quite well: “Left Wing radicals couldn’t understand why ordinary workers view the monarchy as a source of patriotic pride rather than as a class thing." Hardman takes the story right up to today and the Platinum Jubilee. The later parts of the book, which are dependent on interviews, will be invaluable to historians. By the second decade of the 21st century, the Queen had become the focal point of a revival of monarchy, driven by the two princes William and Harry. As ever, however, the danger came from within, in this case the war between the Sussexes and the Cambridges. The Queen acted with characteristic decisiveness over the Sussexes, insisting that they must choose to be either “in or out”.

I need to start this review by saying that I have read numerous books about Queen Elizabeth, as well as about many other members of the English royal family. As an American, I have always enjoyed reading about Great Britain, its people and customs. This includes lots of books that take place there. Robert Hardman, one of Britain’s most acclaimed royal biographers, now wraps up the full story of one of the undisputed greats in a thousand years of monarchy. Hardman distills Elizabeth's complex life into a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal. It is a portrait of a world leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the Throne at age twenty-five. The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.” ( https://www.royal.uk/platinum-jubilee..., Retrieved 8/6/2022) The definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by a renowned royal biographer in an updated Commemorative Edition following Her Majesty's passing, 1926-2022.The definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth IIby a renowned royal biographer in an updated Commemorative Edition following Her Majesty's passing, 1926-2022. Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen tells the story of the Queen's life through BBC exclusive access to never-before-seen home videos and footage of Elizabeth’s private moments, making it the most complete look at her life in existence to date. There are plenty of good stories. Who knew that Thelma Holland, who did the Queen’s makeup for her Coronation, was the daughter-in-law of Oscar Wilde? There’s an anecdote about the sharp-eyed Queen inspecting film footage of Queen Victoria at one of her Jubilees. “That’s interesting,” she remarked after a pause. “They had eight horses on the landau.” Or a glimpse of the Queen on a Pacific cruise in the 1970s helping one of her equerries to dress up as a Polynesian beauty. The Queen was kneeling on the floor, and “he was stripped to the waist and she was fitting a brassiere on him.”

I don't know why I was expecting neutral opinion. Don't get me wrong, this was interesting representation of facts and some recollections from close environment and I am not sorry I listened through it all. However, the general tone and position of author was very one sided. All the facts were spun in favor of the Queen or royal family and not once there was any doubt raised or any thought given about any other possibility. And I like the Queen, I am much inclined to follow facts in her benefit, but I did want some options to ponder about, some different accounts so I could choose whom to believe. None of that is here.All of these describe Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned through more seismic social change than any monarch since 1066 (Charles I included). From the Abdication to the Sussexes, she has witnessed family crises on a scale not seen since the days of George III. The author also doesn't forget to give us some never before heard details about Queen's sense of duty and humor sense. Elizabeth II. wurde nicht als Thronfolgerin geboren. Doch seit ihrer Krönung 1952 hat sie sich als kluge und entschlossene Persönlichkeit erwiesen und ihr Volk souverän durch teils massive Veränderungen geführt. Sie sah sich mit Verfassungskrisen konfrontiert, erhielt Morddrohungen, sah 14 Premierminister kommen und gehen, bezauberte Staatsoberhäupter aus aller Welt, wurde von den Medien gefeiert und kritisiert und lebte ein Leben in der Öffentlichkeit. The problems that have occurred with Queen Elizabeth’s children are discussed here, but not in a negative way. Everyone has problems with their children and even though the family is royal, we see how even they have to find a way to work through problems. In addition to getting a good view of the Queen's personal life I also learned much about other members of the Royal Family. For example I had to revise my view of Prince Phillip. I had previously remembered some of his controversial statements. My view changed ,however when I learned some of the details of the good work done by his Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and also his hard efforts for his other Charities

Robert Hardman, one of Britain’s most acclaimed royal biographers, now wraps up the full story of one of the undisputed greats in a thousand years of monarchy. Hardman distills Elizabeth’s complex life into a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal. It is a portrait of a world leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the throne at age twenty-five. Die Zitate von verschiedenen Personen, die die Queen trafen und kannten Verleihen dem Buch nochmal mehr Authentizität. This article from Elite Daily contains a nice list of documentaries if you would like more in that genre...The book also charts the way in which the Queen raised the future King Charles III as both son and heir.

An insider’s account of the rampant misconduct within the Trump administration, including the tumult surrounding the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. A definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the seventieth anniversary of her reign by a renowned royal biographer. The book was initially written before the sad death of the Queen so has been updated with an Epilogue written afterwards. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author did his best to be even-handed when discussing various scandals and problems. His use of words was charming.... Jeffrey Epstein was mentioned several times as "the inexplicably wealthy businessman".It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change." Elizabeth was not born to be queen, being third in line to the throne. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she proved an astute and quietly determined figure, leading her family and her people through more than seventy years of unprecedented social change. She faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, unified the Commonwealth, saw fifteen British prime ministers come and go, charmed world leaders, and steered her family through a lifetime in the public eye. Her Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in June 2022 and her death mourned months later, both events a reminder of the huge impact she had made.