- Paperback: 688 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (28 Feb 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0141006560
- ISBN-13: 978-0141006567
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 4.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,300,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4 in Books > History > Britain & Ireland > British Heads of State > George VI
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Acceding to the throne upon his brother's abdication, George VI was immediately confronted with the turmoil in European politics leading up to World War II, then the war itself, followed by a period of austerity, social transformation and loss of Empire. George was unprepared for kingship, suffering from a stammer which could make public occasions very painful for him. Morever, he had grown up in the shadow of his brother, a man who has been idolized as no royal prince has been, before or since. However, this biography shows that although George was not born to be king, he died a great one.
About the Author
Sarah Bradford is a historian and biographer. Her books include Cesare Borgia (1976), Disraeli (1982), Princess Grace (1984), Sacheverell Sitwell (1993), Elizabeth (1996) and America's Queen (2000). Sarah Bradford lives in London.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
On this day in 1952 King George VI passed away. I thought it a good idea to read again his biography by Sarah Bradford.
George VI, The Queen's father, is often dismissed as a good but unremarkable man, overshadowed by his wife, the legendary Queen Mother.
Prince Albert, Duke of York, was only the second son of King George V and Queen Mary. From childhood he had been handicapped by low self-esteem and a severe stammer. As for the entire for four royal brothers (Edward VIII, and the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent) they did not have a happy childhood. He never expected to succeed and was set with his little family to lead the life of junior royals supporting the monarch and with age fading out of the limelight. Properly a life he would have loved. But life had more in store for him. When Edward VII dragged his family and country into the abdication crisis, the Duke of York found himself suddenly a very unwilling and scared head of state - 'How I hate to be King' - he often said. Yet in spite of all his disabilities he and his wife were hard-working, diligent and popular monarchs, leading Britain during the WW II. He made the monarchy stronger than ever and left the throne to his beloved daughter in perfect shape.
This exhaustively researched biography his life and character in depth, his role as King during a time of war, and the often bitter relationship with Edward VIII, who became Duke of Windsor after abdication, his relationship with Churchill, his wife and family. Above all she shows how he had to overcome himself. A man who was not easy but determined a man one had to love and admire. Maybe reluctant monarchs are the best as they are not too eager and see the duty and service than merely the privileges their position carry.
Sarah Bradford is one of the most talented biographers of our times and this proves it. She reveals the monarch George VI and private man Albert. She writes with discretion, but does not leave things out like his youthful affair with Phyllis Monkman. Her judgement is well balanced. It is a great book and which his daughter, the Queen, is said to keep on her desk. Well, whatever ... but I am happy to have this book in my library.
George VI, The Queen's father, is often dismissed as a good but unremarkable man, overshadowed by his wife, the legendary Queen Mother.
Prince Albert, Duke of York, was only the second son of King George V and Queen Mary. From childhood he had been handicapped by low self-esteem and a severe stammer. As for the entire for four royal brothers (Edward VIII, and the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent) they did not have a happy childhood. He never expected to succeed and was set with his little family to lead the life of junior royals supporting the monarch and with age fading out of the limelight. Properly a life he would have loved. But life had more in store for him. When Edward VII dragged his family and country into the abdication crisis, the Duke of York found himself suddenly a very unwilling and scared head of state - 'How I hate to be King' - he often said. Yet in spite of all his disabilities he and his wife were hard-working, diligent and popular monarchs, leading Britain during the WW II. He made the monarchy stronger than ever and left the throne to his beloved daughter in perfect shape.
This exhaustively researched biography his life and character in depth, his role as King during a time of war, and the often bitter relationship with Edward VIII, who became Duke of Windsor after abdication, his relationship with Churchill, his wife and family. Above all she shows how he had to overcome himself. A man who was not easy but determined a man one had to love and admire. Maybe reluctant monarchs are the best as they are not too eager and see the duty and service than merely the privileges their position carry.
Sarah Bradford is one of the most talented biographers of our times and this proves it. She reveals the monarch George VI and private man Albert. She writes with discretion, but does not leave things out like his youthful affair with Phyllis Monkman. Her judgement is well balanced. It is a great book and which his daughter, the Queen, is said to keep on her desk. Well, whatever ... but I am happy to have this book in my library.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is extremely well written. I am amazed at the level of research that the author has undertaken. It has taken me some considerable time to read, as I like to look at all the detail. Excellent book, I feel that I really know KG6 now.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this book having seen the Kings' Speech which wetted my appetite to learn more about George V1. A very well researched book with lots of interesting facts about George and the other members of the royal family and the people whose lives were involved with the king. However have got rather bogged down with the account of the abdication of Edward 8th and the implications of this on the royal family. Realise this is a vital part of his life and the effect it had on the future monarchy but it got a little boring after awhile, but at some stage will hopefully finish this book.
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