The Queen & Di : The Untold Story

Rating:
Summary: Even Handed, Fair
Review: Having shied away from the more obsequious books on the shelves in recent years, something made me pick this book up and give it a go. I have been quite favorably impressed.

This book classifies the late former Princess of Wales, Diana, and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth during similar times in their lives. The author covers familiar ground: childhoods, educations, courtships, marriages, marital challenges, child rearing, and public perceptions without sensationalism or conjecture, achieving an impressive objectivity. Although I know some die-hard Diana sympathizers may take issue with some of the details or interpretation of blame (for example, Diana's alleged premarital virginity -- which the author endorses -- and the he-said, she-said within the Wales' marriage), the author's tone makes her both pleasant and easy to read. She is inherently believable.

This book would be perfect for someone curious about the late former princess and her formidable mother in law, but who's never read much on them in a factual medium (that is, something beyond People Magazine or a "blabloid"). I think even most Diana fans would appreciate the author's even-handedness on more sensitive details on the late former princess's life, and fans of the Queen would be further convinced of England's monarch's steadfastness and devotion to her country.

I like this book. I think most others with an interest in British royalty would, too.

Rating:
Summary: Sad...
Review: I find Ms. Seward's writing to be painful to read. For an editor of Majesty magazine, I expected her to have class in her manner of writing and respect in her depiction of the British royal family. She would have been well suited as a writer for the tabloids instead. Her manner of retelling is very gossipy, and biased. She can't seem to help but include her spiteful opinions of the late princess. I find her to be a very disrespectful person to be writing such a book. If you are looking for historical background or a respectful account of the Queen and the late princess, this is not the book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs down
Review: If one is looking for a thorough historical view of Queen Eliazbeth, then read this. The pictures of The Queen are great. However, many a dull book has been written about the British Monarchy. Yes, we all know that the young Lady Spencer was indeed foolish at heart at times durning her all too brief life. Come on Ms. Seward, you could have been a little more kinder and polite when writing about Diana. This book is so slanted towards The Queen and Prince Charles. The psychological assessment was not necessary and shows the depth a writer will sink to to sell a book. I purchased this book because I thought it would be light hearted happy story about the Queen and Di, not an attack on someone who was regarded as the most popular woman on the planet. Yes, Diana made mistakes but she also brought happiness and smiles to the faces who were lucky enough to be in her presence. Shame on the author! This book should have been titled after one of the Queen's most noted quotes. " the Annus Horribilus" Donate to one of Diana's charities instead paying for this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Knowledge of a Misunderstood Relationship
Review: If you are like half of the population and interested in all the gossip about the House of Windsor and the late Princess of Wales, then this book should be one that you should read. This book is about the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. This book, to my belief, is a piece of evidence on why we as the public should respect Her Majesty, and why we should understand what their relationship is truly about. The book describes Diana's first State duty with the entire Royal Family in November 1984 at the State Opening of Parliament. Diana was having her hair being done for the event and insisted that she wore her hair up knowing that it was not long enough and looked different. The next day Diana's hair was on the headlines not the Queen, on which should have been a day of her publicity. This was the beginning of the popularity contest between these two women.
The author Ingrid Seward, is editor of Majesty magazine. She has written many books about the Royal Family that has kept her in the bestsellers list for twelve years.
This book all and all will give you a better knowledge about both women and will teach you the inside story of what happened behind the palace walls of two remarkable women and there relationship that is so widely known and questioned by the public.