Diana: Her True Story--in Her Own Words

This review is about the original 1992 version published prior to Princess Diana’s separation from Charles (December 1992), the finalized divorce (August 1996), and her subsequent death (July 1997). This is how Diana Spencer went from being Lady Diana to Diana, Princess of Wales. Though commonly she was called "Princess Diana" following her marriage to the Prince of Wales, this was incorrect because she was not a princess in her own right.

Diana was a beloved figure by those who saw a plain and ordinary girl (Diana Spencer), despite having some nobility, become a fairy-tale princess – married to the heir to the crown, Prince Charles, on 7/29/1981. Everyone watched over the years as a shy, quiet girl blossomed into a beautiful woman show more – not only on the outside, but the inside as well. A beautiful woman who never hesitated to hug an AIDS patient; or walk through a minefield to raise awareness. A woman who gave the compassion and love to others she was long denied by those around her.

Deep inside the fairy-tale, Diana was fighting a struggle. A lonely childhood; a lonely and loveless marriage; and a chronic illness that was worsened by the stress, all of which was hidden from the media but in private it plagued the people’s princess. Cries for help went unanswered by those who either didn’t acknowledge what was going on or didn’t know how to help. Some, despite knowing what was going on, chose instead to blatantly ignore her plight.

If you read this when it was published (1992), you’d have no way of knowing what was yet to come some four (4) to five (5) years later. If you read it after July 1997, it is almost a foreboding tale of what was about to happen.

Early on, Diana always had a feeling she’d never become Queen, despite being married to second-in-pine Prince Charles of Wales. It was something she never saw herself doing – but it couldn’t be explained.

Without guidance or assistance, she was thrust into a role that garnered her much attention and admiration from the public, but not the desperately needed affection from those closest to her. Her parents divorce adversely affected her – especially after her father re-married. Diana didn’t get along with her step-mother for most of her life. It wasn’t until her father became Earl Spencer in 1975 that Diana even had a “courtesy title”.

While Diana had access to the best education and most all of her essential needs met, there were some things she didn’t have. What Diana wanted most (according to Morton) was the affection – cuddles, love, and acknowledgement of a job well done. She would find none of this in either her life before marriage or during it.

What you will find in this novel is brutal honesty. If you find a slant trending more to Diana’s side, remember that this is a book about her and her side of the not-so-wonderful fairy-tale. It tells of how her popularity soared, even past that of her husband’s – the future King of England, and how that impacted her marriage. It also documents how she raised Princes William and Harry based on her own experiences – how much more involved she was in the parenting than other monarchs.

This is a book about a woman who struggled between finding happiness and honoring her duty, but knew what she would be giving up if she left – not so much the titles and money, but rather her children. But, this book also gave her a voice to stand on her own as well.

This is not a book you want to purchase – it is more suited to borrow from a library for a weekend or vacation read.

I’m not saying that because of the subject, the writing or the author – but rather that it is such a sad tale of what was yet to come and what happened in the years since. It is a cruel reminder that the fairy -tale might not end the way it should – the “princess” doesn’t keep the prince or even keep herself. Sometimes the Princess fades away. show less

I've been a fan of Lady Diana Spencer's since I first heard of her engagement to Prince Charles. I remember getting up in the wee hours of the morning, back in 1981, and watching their wedding--along with half the world! I would never say I was obsessed with her, but I have definitely always loved her and all that she stood for. I was crushed when the world lost that angel!
I prefer, lately, to read memoirs written by (or mostly by) the subject themselves. However, finding this book and knowing that it involved actual interviews with Diana, I believe this is the closest I could get to her memoir.
Most things I'd always heard about her, already, were presented in this bio. There were definitely new items that were brought to light. show more Mostly, though, I was interested in (and rewarded with) simple insight into who Diana was. I certainly wanted to know the things she dealt with, all the events that brought us to her demise. But I wanted to know who she really was, what her youth was like, etc. I was very pleased with this book! show less

This is a quick and easy read ... and sad. Like so many "Lady Di" biogs, it exposes a gilded cage life bereft of warmth and love from Prince Charles gravitating toward Camilla and turning under the strain to self-harm, bulimia, and soothsayers. This book ends after the couple's separation, but before their divorce. Also, there are tens of full-color pictures of Diana starting with childhood.

I really enjoyed reading this book, even though the time period was before the Princess of Wales and The Prince of Wales divorced or the Princess’ passing. It was evident as to why the people of England named Diana “The People’s Princess”. Her compassion and humanitarian efforts were outstanding. I wish I had been able to meet the Princess as she is a role model for good. I wasn’t surprised to find out how isolated Diana felt being in the Royal family. If you are interested in the royal family; especially the late Princess I suggest this book to you.

It was an okay book.
I'm one of the generation that remembers where they were when they heared the news that Diana died.
I was one of the many people that admired her, that's why I finally decided to read the biography that she contributed to herself.

And then the book. I must admit that I didn't like it very much. When it said 'contrinuted to' I expected a more personal voice. I didn't expect a lot of repetitions of things said, repetitions of names and their relation to Diana. Mentioned twice, one might expect that from that point on, the info can be regarded as known.

Only in the last part Diana's own voice is heared. But, the things that are told, I already knew because the were told in the first part of the book. It was more or show more less a repetition.
I read other biographies that I liked lots better (for example Marilyn Monroe's). show less

An insightful account of the life of one of the most beloved and influential people of recent years. Many things I did not know about Diana and I'm glad I read this book.

A very dense, slow read. The writing style is poor. Statement and themes are repeated over and over. Everything is worse and worse and worse.