Dancing with the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue (Hardcover)

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Amazon.co.uk Review
It shouldn't be a fascinating read, this book, it really shouldn't. It's just Higher Gossip about how Wallis Simpson took a younger lover after her marriage to Edward, and how she and said lover enjoyed nights of "non-penetrative and principally oral sex." I mean, who cares? Shouldn't our minds be on higher things? The trouble is, it's all absolutely fascinating. The lover was the mad, bad and dangerous-to-know Jimmy Donahue, one of the Woolworths clan, grandson of founder Frank W. Woolworth, relative of Barbara Hutton, heir to millions, and considered to be dashingly good-looking. From the photos in this book, he looks like a baby-faced bore to me, but maybe having those millions in the bank skewed perceptions of him somewhat ... He could fly a plane, speak several languages, was a marvellous raconteur, and on top of all this, Donahue was a promiscuous homosexual. That didn't stop him from forming a passionate friendship with Wallis, however, that soon turned into more than mere friendship. Wilson suggests that this constituted, on Wallis' part, perhaps "the greatest betrayal in history". Edward gave up his throne and his kingdom for the woman he loved, only for her to take off with another man. However, it was never quite so simple as this. Edward didn't really want a normal sexual relationship with Wallis (he got all the satisfaction he wanted from playing with her feet), while she evidently continued to adore him, even if she found that the need for sexual satisfaction drove her into Donahue's arms. It may even have been that Edward knew, and didn't mind. The whole thing reads like some kind of royal soap opera, and as such, it is absolutely riveting. --Christopher Hart

Product Description
In 1950, James Paul Donahue inherited a $15 million Woolworth's fortune and on the same day met the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. This book is the remarkable story of their extraordinary friendship. Jimmy Donahue was 35 when he met the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. He could fly a plane, speak several languages, play the piano, tell marvellous jokes. He was loved and, within the confines of AmericaAs upper class, he was notorious. People loved his wit, charm and generosity. He would shower friends with expensive gifts and flowers, seize bills in clubs and restaurants and lavishly tip waiters. His Fifth Avenue apartment became the backdrop for a series of infamous parties. Jimmy's sexual exploits - until he met the Duchess - were strictly homosexual, at a time when the homosexual act was still illegal. The Duchess was 54 - 19 years his senior - but the sexual attraction between them was instant. Jimmy, the Duke and the Duchess became inseparable - and Jimmy always paid. But the depth of the burgeoning sexual relationship between Donahue and the Duchess took its toll on the Duke, who began to drink heavily to wile away the lonely hours while his wife and her consort spent time together. She became increasingly obsessed by Jimmy and he, in turn, robbed her of her reputation and her last shreds of judgment. In the end, after passionate highs and desperate lows, the relationship deteriorated so badly it was abandoned by all. Donahue was never the same man again. He died alone in 1966 from acute alcoholic and barbiturate poisoning. His friends said he killed himself over an unrequited homosexual love.

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2 Reviews 5 star:    (0) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 2.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars It's not just Edward and Mrs Simpson this time around!, 8 Aug 2001 By  Paula Lees "ladybrum" (Birmingham, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Dancing with the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue (Paperback) Scandalous and absolutely riveting. Edward abdicates his throne for the intollerable Wallis Simpson, and Jimmy Donahue (heir to millions of Woolworth's clan money) becomes her lover! Jimmy Donahue, we have to bear in mind, is not only the atypical rich boy (and boy he was compared in age to Wallis) but also homosexual!! If this doesn't form a tasty trio of thought, take into account the fact that the book tends to lead to the belief that Edward was borderline homosexual, with no marital favours virtually existing between him and his beloved Wallis (apart from maybe a foot fetish thrown in here and there). Scandalous enough that the King of England abdicates his throne for"the woman he loves", but even more so the case of their paths crossing with Mr. Donahue, and an ensuing love affair between Wallis and Jimmy the lad beginning. Who in their right mind would have ever put these two people together? But together they did go and for a number of years too. Poor old Edward, humbled, embarrassed and almost broke, has only two options open to him - loose the woman he gave up his country for or sit tight and shut up. Read this book and read it now. See the power and prestige money can buy (and the Donahue clan had plenty) and how it attracted Edward and Mrs Simpson to it. Read about the antics of Jimmy, and the extended family (Barbara Hutton for one)and how they bought amongst other things people's silence and favours. This is an absolutely not to be missed book to read. Take my word for it. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   1.0 out of 5 stars Dancing with the devil. The Windsors and Jimmy Donohue, 8 May 2009 By  Susan Winwood (England.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    When I bought this book I thought it was going to be mostly about the Windsors and Jimmy Donohue, as the title suggests, however I would say it is more about Jimmy Donohue and his life,and a small bit about his involvement with the Windsors, and how he financed their life etc, and about his affair with Wallis. A boring book all round. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 2 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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