George VI
by Sarah Bradford
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Description
On Friday, December 11, 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated the British throne to marry Wallis Simpson. The abdication came at a crucial time in history, with Hitler and Mussolini allied, and Europe moving toward war. Suddenly Edward's younger brother, Albert, had to assume the throne. At forty-one, the new King faced not only a difficult family crisis, but a skeptical British press and public as well. Though he was sometimes a reluctant monarch, George VI possessed the self-discipline and show more integrity that his brother lacked. He would reign until his death in 1952, leaving to his eldest daughter, Elizabeth II, a throne more stable than England had known since Victoria ruled. This book is the first truly intimate portrait of the man and his entire family. The author has penetrated the closed circle that surrounds the royal family through archival research in the United States and Britain, the discovery of unpublished diaries and private letters, and extensive interviews. The abdication crisis, the King's leadership during the war, his relationship with Churchill, the unfolding saga of the two brothers, and much more are examined in detail by this biography. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I very much enjoyed this biography of King George VI. The book covered his entire life and reign, though it did spend most of the book on the abdication and his relationship with his brother. A large amount of very well researched detail, though I do wish it was a bit more about the person and not the King. Well worth reading.
2348 The Reluctant King: The Life & Reign of George VI 1895-1952, by Sarah Bradford (read 12 Dec 1990)
This is a 1990 biography of George VI, born Dec 14, 1895, died Feb 6, 1952. I found it absorbing. This book shows that George V's doctors literally killed George V.. The book is quite favorable to George VI and takes his side in the dispute with the Duke of Windsor, but it is easy to see how a partisan of the Duke of
Windsor might make a case that George VI and his wife and Queen Mary were at fault in the whole mess. George VI was an extremely simple person, and had a stammer which bedeviled him all of his life. Some of what this book shows re royalty would make a republican out of many monarchists. One wonders how valuable the monarchy show more is--it is clearly expensive. This book is written by an English biographer and the prose is a little convoluted. But one couldn't help but find the whole life of great interest though it is clear that George VI is not a great man. show less
This is a 1990 biography of George VI, born Dec 14, 1895, died Feb 6, 1952. I found it absorbing. This book shows that George V's doctors literally killed George V.. The book is quite favorable to George VI and takes his side in the dispute with the Duke of Windsor, but it is easy to see how a partisan of the Duke of
Windsor might make a case that George VI and his wife and Queen Mary were at fault in the whole mess. George VI was an extremely simple person, and had a stammer which bedeviled him all of his life. Some of what this book shows re royalty would make a republican out of many monarchists. One wonders how valuable the monarchy show more is--it is clearly expensive. This book is written by an English biographer and the prose is a little convoluted. But one couldn't help but find the whole life of great interest though it is clear that George VI is not a great man. show less
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Author Information
14+ Works 2,645 Members
Sarah Bradford is a historian & biographer. She is the best-selling author of several biographies including "Disraeli," selected as a "New York Times" Notable Book of the Year; "George VI," "Prince Grace," & "The New York Times" bestseller "Elizabeth." (Bowker Author Biography)
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- George VI
- Original title
- The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1895-1952
- Original publication date
- 1990-05
- People/Characters
- George VI, King of the United Kingdom; Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom; Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor; Wallis Simpson; Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom
- Dedication
- In memory of my father Hilary Anthony Hayes 1901- 84
- First words
- Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George of York came almost apologetically into a world largely ruled by his relations.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Among the wreaths was Churchill's final tribute to King George VI, a wreath of white flowers bearing a note with two words in the old Prime Minister's own hand, "For Valour."
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 941.084 — History & geography History of Europe British Isles Historical periods of British Isles 1837- Period of Victoria and House of Windsor 1936-1945
- LCC
- DA584 .B69 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain England History By period Modern, 1485- 20th century
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 225
- Popularity
- 144,480
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.87)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 4
