Diana: Closely Guarded Secret

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Summary: The Long and Winding musical that never ends....zzzzzzzzzzzz
Review: At first I thought this would be a juicy book that might give me insight into Diana, a woman I deeply admire, but it's just too boring, sadly. And, the guy who wrote it is a rat fink of sorts. It almost makes me sad that he revealed so much of the Princess that was her right to keep secret, and that he did it boringly. I don't know what I feel worse about... reading gossip from a snitch or that he made it so awfully boring, like an old western epic that you just fall asleep half way through. AFter realizing I was yawning more than reading, trying desperately to stay activated so as not to miss a thing, I grew bored half way through and put the book down and have not picked it back up again. I keep telling myself that I'm missing something good and I should finish it, but even that does not motivate the completion of the read. You know it's bad when an ardent fan of Diana's cannot even finish juicy "gossip" about her. The boredom about killed me. I'm sorry I spent money on this.

Rating:
Summary: It's disappointing...
Review: Contrary to the title, this book certainly doesn't reveal any extraordinary secrets. Furthermore, the author seems quite taken with his own self-importance. What is surprising is that there isn't a single reference to Paul Burrell, Diana's butler so recently in the headlines and whom she apparently called her "rock." So many people have written "inside" stories about Diana and one has to wonder who really were her confidants and who have simply been capitalizing on the employer/employee relationship. Mr. Wharfe, despite his altruistic assertions as to his reasons for writing, has obviously hoped to profit from time spent in her service.

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Summary: Candidly written
Review: Diana: Closely Guarded Secret is an intimate, tell-all account written by Inspector Ken Wharfe, a British police officer who was once one of many charged with the responsibility of protecting Princess Diana and her family from harm. Candidly written with the assistance of Robert Jobson, and enhanced with an insert section of color photographs, Diana: Closely Guarded Secret dares to dispel commonly believed myths about the princess and showcases her true humanity, her genuine strengths, and her all-to-human weaknesses. Diana: Closely Guarded Secret is a "must read" for anyone who has ever found themselves emotionally affected by the complex life and untimely death of Princess Diana.

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Summary: Very Few Secrets Divulged
Review: From the reviews this book has garnered so far, I was expecting much more. Ken Wharfe is one of many, many people coming out of the woodwork to tell of their time with Princess Diana. Any person you seen in the background of a photo of Diana has a story to tell. The thing is, Wharfe doesn't want to tell too much, so there's not much new here. There's a lot of self aggrandizement -- how Wharfe saved the day, this time and that time, how the "most beautiful photos ever" (in his opinion) were the result of his taking a island holiday situation in hand. And of course, how if HE had been still providing protection, she would not have died. The thing is, let's face it, Diana did not protect herself. SHE did not wear her seatbelt, SHE put her well-being in Dodi's unctuous hands and she herself, as Wharfe notes, was one to drive at speeds of up to 100 MPH.
I think there's much more Wharfe has to say, and why not? We're all dying to know more about her.

Rating:
Summary: One of the better Diana books
Review: Having read the private secretary's version of employment by Diana, I was more impressed with Ken Wharfe's version, especially impressed by the better writing. (Kudos to the ghostwriter!) Wharfe's not out to backstab and he's not embittered; he's sympathetic, but not a Diana-worshiper. It's a very balanced, very fair presentation of what his employment by the world's most famous (and most unhappily married & emotional) woman was really like. The last chapter, which is a forensic evaluation of what went wrong in Paris on August 31, 1997, and how it could have been prevented, is devastating.

Rating:
Summary: One of the better Diana books
Review: Having read the private secretary's version of employment by Diana, I was more impressed with Ken Wharfe's version, especially impressed by the better writing. (Kudos to the ghostwriter!) Wharfe's not out to backstab and he's not embittered; he's sympathetic, but not a Diana-worshiper. It's a very balanced, very fair presentation of what his employment by the world's most famous (and most unhappily married & emotional) woman was really like. The last chapter, which is a forensic evaluation of what went wrong in Paris on August 31, 1997, and how it could have been prevented, is devastating.

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Summary: A different view of the Princess of Wales
Review: I almost didn't get this book because of the fact it was written by someone close to her after her death. I am glad that I did for there is nothing terrible revealed in this book. It let me see the vulnerabity and that she was human. She wasn't a Saint but she did have a kind heart. I am glad that I got it and reccommend it highly to anyone who admired the late Princess.

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the money!
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. The author gives readers an upclose look at the late Princess' life that few others had privy to. His obvious love and respect for her is a strong theme throughout and I was never disappointed. The only problem for me was the use of certain British idioms with which I was not familiar and which I found confusing and had to struggle to comprehend, e.g., "I had a lot of time for him" which means "I liked him very much."

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Insight!
Review: I found this book a believable and honest account of Diana's
bodyguard's relationship with her. Enjoyed reading about the
great times and not so great times she shared with this bodyguard
and the difficult job he was required to do. His loyalty is
evident in the book and also his sadness at the end of their
working friendship. Great book!

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Summary: I beg to differ about Prince Charles
Review: I found this book to reveal Prince Charles as kind and fair man and a loving father. Yes Prince Charles had an affair with Camilla but Diana had several on him. Furthermore, Prince Charles' affair was discreet and rarely (except for one incident where Prince Charles and Camilla are caught talking downstairs at dinner that Princess Di was attending) does the book give much proof that the affair was ever carried out in a vengeful manner. I am not trying to say that Prince Charles is indisputably more ethical than Princess Di. I am simply saying that I for one can as easily sympathize with him, or perhaps even more easily than I can with Princess Di. Futhermore, to those who point out that the Princess outshined the Prince in her support of charities, I would say that the weight of this truth in comparing the two is simply a matter of perspective. I personally don't admire the simplistic and self-serving approach Diana took to her causes. I however do like a few of Diana's other attributes revealed in the book such as her usually non-judgemental and fun-loving attitude. To put my views in perspective, all of these opinons I have framed from this one book as its the only one on Princess Di I have read. So all of comments should be understood in the context of this book. Overall, I came to trust Wharfe's even handling of both "principals".