Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II

Rating:
Summary: Life in A Royal Fishbowl
Review: I've often wondered just what the Queen of England does. With no real governmental power and, seemingly at least, nothing much to do, hers looked (to me on this side of the pond)like a totally useless life.

Lacey's book doesn't answer my questions but it does seem that although she may not have the power of the President of the United States, she wields a power of her own that is just as important to her people. This book, however, focuses more on the person and her life than on her job.

"Lillibet" dreamed of a quiet life with horses and dogs and what she got was life in the fishbowl of royalty with horses, dogs, Parliamentary boxes and public scrutiny. Luxury, yes, but luxury well earned in terms of personal sacrifice. Where others triumph and suffer the "trials and tribulations" of living in quiet peace, Queen Elizabeth experiences much the same under the unforgiving -- and often misunderstanding -- glare of fame. It is not an enviable position.

Robert Lacey has a number of impressive biographies in his repertoire (THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HENRY VIII, ROBERT, EARL OF ESSEX and SIR WALTER RALEIGH, to name a few) and his work is imminently readable. MONARCH, The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II is not only beautifully written and researched, it's downright fascinating in its portrayal of a woman touched by destiny and pride. I can't help but hope he'll follow this by an equally beautifully written and thoroughly researched book on what she does.

Rating:
Summary: Very Boring and uninspiring...
Review: That was my impression of the life of the Queen. Very indulgent lifestyle she leads as do her children. Surprised to learn of a different story to Diana's funeral arrangements. That Charles wasn't the supposed "leader" in getting things arranged. Still dissapointed in the Queen for not doing her duty during that time. She seemed jealous of Diana and still seems that way. Disheartened to read that William and Harry distanced themselves from their mother during her relationship with Dodi. Seems Charles didn't have that sort of treatment with his dowdy mistress. So I find that pretty questionable, but who knows. I put it in a category of sensationalism on Lacey's part to try to persuade the reader to find fault in all of Diana's doing. Sad that this sort of criticism still has to happen just to find praise for a very boring, and uninspiring figure and her brood. Her time sitting on the throne is her only 'merit' to her dull reign. She has had to do nothing more and hasn't.

Rating:
Summary: Very Boring and uninspiring...
Review: That was my impression of the life of the Queen. Very indulgent lifestyle she leads as do her children. Surprised to learn of a different story to Diana's funeral arrangements. That Charles wasn't the supposed "leader" in getting things arranged. Still dissapointed in the Queen for not doing her duty during that time. She seemed jealous of Diana and still seems that way. Disheartened to read that William and Harry distanced themselves from their mother during her relationship with Dodi. Seems Charles didn't have that sort of treatment with his dowdy mistress. So I find that pretty questionable, but who knows. I put it in a category of sensationalism on Lacey's part to try to persuade the reader to find fault in all of Diana's doing. Sad that this sort of criticism still has to happen just to find praise for a very boring, and uninspiring figure and her brood. Her time sitting on the throne is her only 'merit' to her dull reign. She has had to do nothing more and hasn't.

Rating:
Summary: Reliable information, reliable sources
Review: This book about the reign of QEII, goes behind the scenes and makes you feel a part of history, all without the tabloid style information that appear in some papers. Mr. Lacey's research is meticulous and his sources are close enough to the monarch that we knew these people witnessed the events first hand.

The book does a very good job of describing the situation that developed at the time of the death of Diana. It was interesting to find out that the queen herself approved of all of the plans for the funeral, many in fact were her idea. While not diminishing the role of Prince Charles in the arrangements, the queen and her staff were largely responsible for that memorable day.

It was also interesting to find out that Diana's sons had distanced themselves from her that summer because of her romance with Dodi. And also that her brother in law Sir Robert Fellowes was not the villian he has often portrayed to be in other books, where his feelings for Diana were concerned.

The history leading up to the accession of QEII is always fascinating and is well handled here in the book. The scenarios surrounding the plans for the coronation and her wedding give a real inside look at the royal family.

After reading this book, I was a little disappointed in some members of the family and staff, liked other even more and found a great respect for the woman herself. While she can be stubborn and dig in when the chips fall against her, she can also quickly see the light and move with the tide. Most particularly in the flag flap at the time of Diana's death.

I give high marks to this book. There is so much interesting history in the book that is can be read again and again and still hold the reader's interest.

On a more picky note, I found several mistakes in the book. On page xi of the Royal Who's Who, Edward the VII is listed as being made Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1911. That would be Edward the VIII, since Edward the VII was already dead in 1911. On page 36, we have a coach careering around an area instead of careening. Lastly on page 151, they have Prince Phillip at 26 in 1946 and on the next page, age 24 in the same year.

Nevertheless, this book should entertain and inform all people who follow the lives of the royal family. There is a nice mix of political fact and the freshness of looking at last behind the palace walls. This book stays in my collection as a wonderful testament to the woman we are all more than a little curious about. Whether she is wrong or right about certain things, she cetainly has staying power.

Rating:
Summary: Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee
Review: This book was written to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee and was written with the cooperation of the palace, so there are no new startling revelations about the Queen. She is a person who has zealously guarded her privacy in spite of having to make rather recent concessions, several in connection with the tragic death of Diana, the Princess of Wales, to the media and the public. In fact, one of the major themes is the Queen's and the Royal Family's relationship with and use of the media. MONARCH tends to start off slowly, filling over 80 pages with information about past monarchs like Queen Victoria, and tends to be pretty plodding and dry in parts. It appears to be written for a British audience and the same book is apparently titled ROYAL in Britain...

Rating:
Summary: Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee
Review: This book was written to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee and was written with the cooperation of the palace, so there are no new startling revelations about the Queen. She is a person who has zealously guarded her privacy in spite of having to make rather recent concessions, several in connection with the tragic death of Diana, the Princess of Wales, to the media and the public. In fact, one of the major themes is the Queen's and the Royal Family's relationship with and use of the media. MONARCH tends to start off slowly, filling over 80 pages with information about past monarchs like Queen Victoria, and tends to be pretty plodding and dry in parts. It appears to be written for a British audience and the same book is apparently titled ROYAL in Britain...

Rating:
Summary: Not the usual
Review: This is not your usual tell all from an anonymous source - this is history. While she has little real power, she is a woman who has had a remarkable life and many varied prime ministers from Churchill to Thatcher to Blair - very different people who all came to respect her and I think surprised by her knowledge of the government and country and how it all works. It also provides some insight into her children's lives and how she was as a parent. This is a very enjoyable book to read and a great follow up to Majesty which I also recommend strongly.

Rating:
Summary: Not the usual
Review: This is not your usual tell all from an anonymous source - this is history. While she has little real power, she is a woman who has had a remarkable life and many varied prime ministers from Churchill to Thatcher to Blair - very different people who all came to respect her and I think surprised by her knowledge of the government and country and how it all works. It also provides some insight into her children's lives and how she was as a parent. This is a very enjoyable book to read and a great follow up to Majesty which I also recommend strongly.