Book Description
"Deeply researched, valuable."
-The New York Times Book Review
"A shocker . . . stunning . . . absolutely hypnotic. . . . A world of beautiful houses, ceaseless travel, trendsetting fashion, and powerful figures. . . . Fascinating revelations."
-Cosmopolitan
Wallis, the Duchess of Windsor, was one of the most famous women in history, the American divorcée who captured the King of England, Edward VIII, and cost him his throne. Until Charles Higham's 1.3 million-copy bestseller, much of her life was a glamorous mystery. Now, fifteen years later, major new documentary evidence, classified at the time, makes for a book far more sensational than the original bestseller. Drawing from long-suppressed archives in France, England, and the United States, Higham has uncovered the duchess's passionate affair with a top-ranking political figure, the duke's romantic involvement with a male equerry, the secret radio broadcasts the couple made to Hitler, and the blackmail plot in Paris that almost brought them-and the British royal family-to ruin. This updated new edition of The Duchess of Windsor is essential reading.
"Higham's best. . . . Serious, deliciously fresh . . . documented by newly opened secret government files in the U.S. and England."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Smooth and entertaining."
-The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
"An excellent biography . . . alert to every nuance."
-The London Sunday Telegraph
Customer Reviews:
A Story of Ambition And Greed, .......2006-03-01
How History portrays Edward V111 and Mrs Simpson will probably vary somewhat - but this book from Charles Higham is an excellent starting point for history buffs.
With the passing of time, more and documents are being made available for perusal from a wide range of sources. The Governments of Britain,Germany, Austria and Italy for starters.
Then add Buckingham Palace letters and documents,and the views of FDR and the Whitehouse staff, Winston Churchill,Hitler et al.
The level of research can make or break a biography and this one succeeds because of Higham's thoroughness.
It has always been clear to me that the Duchess had no idea what she was embarking on when she became involved with Prince Edward.
She was vilified,loathed, shut off from the Royal family.
At various times during her life she experienced real despair and
depression.
Their lives became empty and meaningless - just endless rounds of entertaining and being entertained.
Many of the upper class in England were Nazi sympathisers, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were no exception.
It was this allegiance that was the root cause of all their problems, as British and American spys kept abreast of their activities,their friendships and of course the notoriety they received when visiting Germany did not go unnoticed.
It was because of this concern they were in effect banished to
the Bahamas and had their requests to travel abroad refused or at least severely curtailed.
The Duke seemed to forget the promises he made when he abdicated. He was born to be King and the reality of NOT being King was something he never managed to adjust to. He thought that he and Wallis would return to England to live but his support of Germany and plotting with the Germans to again become King should Britain lose the war, was well known to George V1 and to Churchill, and thus a return to his homeland became an impossibility.
The most revealing access to the character of the Duchess of Windsor were in her letters to her Aunt Bessie. On one occasion she was complaining bitterly about the Bahamas, and the house etc, never once mentioning the war and the hard times people were experiencing.
On another occasion a visiting British friend mentioned the London bombings, loss of life etc and the Duchess' response was along the lines of why should she care, the British had made her life hell and she would never forgive them etc.
Interestingly enough, Wallis was regarded as a spy of long standing, and her later annual trips to America were viewed with alarm by the US government and she was constantly under surveillance.
Both the Windsors spoke fluent German and yet despite living in France for many years,they knew only a few words of French.
This book shows Wallis as a woman of expensive tastes,very chic
beautifully groomed, and a fine hostess of great taste and style.
Many who knew them well noted that the Duke was besotted by her
but she less so with him. Then again, when his final illness struck him down, the Duchess of Windsor was there for the Duke until the last.
The little American Lady.......2005-11-14
This book came out about 12 years ago and it was presented in a beautiful hardcover jacket.I read it as a novel and it fascinated me.The writing and the pictures are great.The story on the other hand is about this unpleasant and ugly woman, who stole the heart of a king.Mr. Higham wrote it beautifully,unfortunately she was not a very likeable person.Whether some of the stories are true or not, we shall never know. Like the duke running around in diapers....Read it if you are interested in British History.Sadly Wallis is in it.The Duke on the other hand gave an impression of being somebody without character, extremely weak,and a puppet in Simpson's hands.
An overblown, cliche-ridden biography of an unpleasant woman.......1998-04-28
"The Duchess of Windsor: The Secret Life" purports to shed scandalous light on the life and times of Wallis Warfield Spencer Simpson Windsor. Higham paints the Duchess as a sometime spy, a Nazi-sympathizing party girl, and the dominating figure in the life of her weak, dim husband. At the same time, he touts her vaunted personal charm, fashionable elegance, and supposed genuine affection for the man who surrendered his throne to marry her.
Unfortunately, the author's slapdash writing (replete with repetitive facts and anecdotes and endlessly laced with self-congratulatory details of his mostly unrevealing research) mean that "The Secret Life" doesn't even read well as mindless escapism. Higham's great revelations -- that the Duchess faked some details of her life as a military wife in China, and that the Windsors' contacts with various Fascist sympathizers were more substantial than they themselves were willing to reveal -- are hardly surprising in the context of a life devoted almost entirely to self-gratification and hedonistic consumption.
"The Secret Life" fails to convince the reader of anything except the almost overwhelming mediocrity of its subject, and by extension her hapless consort. Nothing fades faster than news of yesterday's parties; much the same is true of the once glittering and romantic legend of the Duchess of Windsor.
Average customer rating:
- A revealing and interesting insight into the world of Fergie
- Human Weakness
- Great insight...by one who obviously knew her best!!!
- Oh, You've Gotta Read This One!
- It leaves the reader wondering about Fergie's character
|
Fergie: Her Secret Life
Allan Starkie
Manufacturer: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| British
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Royalty
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
20th Century
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1854792237 |
Amazon.com
In this demonstration of Alan Stakie's own financial (and supposedly, literary) aspirations, the secrets revealed are almost all business secrets. Starkie helped oversee the princess's financial planning, rescheduling her debt and entertaining an amazing array of quick opportunities to turn her desperation into ready cash. The contemplated deals range from commemorative plates and watercolor paintings sold through QVC to tawdry pulp serializations and a miniseries for the telly--even a Sarah Ferguson name-brand nursing home chain. More sensibly, Fergie and Starkie have zeroed in on book deals and a spokesperson role for Weight Watchers. The blow-by-blow of the balance sheet and the marketing of a royal are splayed out here for your reading pleasure.
Customer Reviews:
A revealing and interesting insight into the world of Fergie.......2003-11-03
Before I read the book I questioned the authors reasons for writing it - especially as she called him her 'dearest friend', but by the end of the book I understood completely. Her loyalty to the author was negligeable and 'hurtful', especially when he told of the circumstances following his suicide attempt; she said next time he commits suicide (as her clairvoyant told her he would) and when he is dead could he get JFK to tell his son that she was destined to marry him (John Kennedy Junior) - bizarre to say the least! At her worst Fergie was shown to be thoughtless, selfish, deceitful, spineless and spoilt. However, the author also gives a balanced view, as in the case where Fergie held and kissed neglected, orphaned kids when many of the other adults present could not even bring themselves to enter the room because of the stench. As for John Bryan - he needs help for sure - what a shallow character!
Human Weakness.......2003-04-03
I have just read the book for the second time. Very interesting insight into the psychology of all parties involved, including the author. I feel the author had a love/hate relationship with the Duchess of York. When she was good, she was very good: when she was bad she was very bad. It must have been a nightmare trying to "organise" two shambolic personalities. At the same time, I get the feeling it was very attractive to be "an inside player" rather than an outside observer.Well written.
Great insight...by one who obviously knew her best!!!.......1999-04-15
I cannot say enough about this book of ALLAN STARKIE'S....FERGIE: HER SECRET LIFE!!! It's like he was a mind-reader, or psychic when it came to him (Allan Starkie) getting into the thoughts and feelings of SARAH FERGUSON! Truly amazing insight....he is to be commended....and perhaps the QUEEN will KNIGHT him...NOT!!! (Perhaps in his next life?) Good show my man. I can't wait to see his next book....and who's the SUBJECT MATTER???
Oh, You've Gotta Read This One!.......1999-01-12
At first, I thought this was going to be another one of those books written by someone who saw the Duchess of York from a distance and figured that gave them the right to capitalize on the experience. I was very wrong! This author has a captivatingly twisted tale to tell about his daily dealings with Sarah and her toe-sucking "financial advisor" John Bryan. This stuff is so incredibly bizarre, that it couldn't be fictionalized. It is the story of one man--John Bryan--who was so greedy, sleezy, arrogant, self-absorbed, and insecure--and the married woman he shamelessly pursued, she having her own set of faults, weaknesses and standards, such as indecisiveness, stupidity, selfishness and extreme insecurity--to name only a few. Their relationship was so destructive and emotionally and physically abusive, that they almost destroyed each other, but not until they had basically destroyed themselves, first. The author stuck with both of them as a best friend until he was driven to unsuccessful suicide and prison, before he finally came to his senses. After reading this book, one would think twice about having the Duchess of York on one's list of friends.
It leaves the reader wondering about Fergie's character.......1999-01-02
If all said is true I'll never know but I do wonder about Fergie's conduct toward other human beings and why some of those often mistreated by her -the author in particular- kept returning for more and larger dosis of tantrums. Perhaps they were seeking recognition by everyone as friends of Fergie.
Product Description
A fantastic book for anyone intrigued by the Royals. Well written and a real page turner.
Product Description
Book Club Edition
Average customer rating:
- must have
- Honest & touching
- Perserverance - the trait of a Champion
- Wonderful and Sad Story!
- A great book on a Great Racer
|
Wayne Rainey: His Own Story
Michael Scott
Manufacturer: Motorbooks International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Motor Sports
| Miscellaneous
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Motorcycle Racing
| Miscellaneous
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Motorcycles
| Automotive
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Automotive
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1859604013 |
Customer Reviews:
must have.......2003-08-30
Wayne Rainey is my favorite Road Racer. This book really let's you know what it takes to be a World Champion and the struggle when its taking away. For any race fan this book is a must have!
Honest & touching.......2003-01-30
I met wayne as a fan in 1987 at Road Atlanta when he rode for Honda after having read so many magazines about him.I never Heard of Kevin Schwantz until that weekend and Wayne despite being very busy, courteously found time to have Shay take a photo of both of us and give me an autograph.He was so receptive and pleasant.That weekend I watched in awe his amazing battle against Kevin's Suzuki and would never forget that day for the rest of my life.Then I continued to watch him on TV from 1988 to that fateful day.The book brought tears and lumps in my throat.This book tells it all and is a must buy.I am also a racer a know the will and the determination to win at all costs.This book also helps us analyze ourselves and our personal relationship with GOD.A precious collector's item to have.
Perserverance - the trait of a Champion.......2002-09-18
It's been some time since I last read this biography of Wayne Rainey, but I certainly remember the emotions, and especially the growing pride, I felt with each turned page. The writing was very easy to read, and the content flowed well from Wayne's childhood and foundation of a Champion in the making, through his personal relationships, and to the present (time of writing). I recommend this book to all that loved to watch his battles with Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz, Freddie Spencer, and Mick Doohan, and wish to simply know more about the Champion. And I recommend it to anyone that thinks the world and life aren't fair. Perservere!
Wonderful and Sad Story!.......2001-03-24
This is a must for every motorcycle racing fan. I am a GP fan but unfortunately Wayne's career ended a couple of years before I started getting into bike racing. This book is an amazing tale of courage. I could not imagine going through what he had to go through. One of the best biographies I have ever read.
A great book on a Great Racer.......2000-06-16
Wayne Rainey was certainly one of the greatest GP Racers to hit the scene in the late 80's-early 90's. With 3 consecutive world championships under his belt he had his 4th wrapped up when tragedy struck. Rainey's career was cut short and thus began a new chapter in this champion's life. The book deals with his youth, and his early racing years on the dirt tracks of Southern California and later, the dirt tracks throughouit the US. His entry into GP racing makes for some of the most intriging and blatantly honest reading you will find. With Kenny Roberts as team manager, Wayne Rainey's career began to open up and the more you read the better this book gets. This is simply the best book on the "inside" of a GP racer and the entire lifestyle that goes with it. (Ever wonder how "team-mates" get along when they BOTH want to win? ) Don't pass this one up. It deserves to be read.
Customer Reviews:
No Lord of the Rings collection is complete without this book!.......2007-04-09
This guide includes everything anyone could ever possibly want to know about the Lord of the Rings. It has a summary of the books, movies, characters, creatures, plus behind the scenes regarding the books and movies. It is wonderful and fun to read!
Rough and ready.......2005-07-24
There's been a boom of "Lord of the Rings" reading in recent years, but there are still quite a few fans who haven't made it past Bree. For fans such as that, there's "The Rough Guide to Lord of the Rings," a little book full of "Lord of the Rings" facts, trivia, and basic outlines.
After a series of movie stills, this extensive little guide plunges into the biography of J.R.R. Tolkien, studies of his family, his friendship with C.S. Lewis and the origins of his writings. The editors give detailed descriptions of each of Tolkien's novels, and authors (Stephen King, Ursula Le Guin, J.K. Rowling) who have been influenced by Tolkien.
But they also break the rosy picture by including the comments about the books, ranging from obnoxious (Edward Wilson's blustering remarks about "juvenile balderdash") to adoring (W.H. Auden's "No fiction I have read in the last five years has given me more joy." I knew there was a reason I liked Auden).
Then the editors turn their attention to the late 1990s, when New Zealand director Peter Jackson began turning the wheels of a big-screen "Lord of the Rings" production. There's a study of Ralph Bakshi's disastrous cartoon, a biography of the director, movie legend Christopher Lee, and well-known trivia like how the cast got tattoos, or that Jackson got rugby fans to do Uruk-hai chants. Even a few tidbits of more obscure trivia come through, like Ian McKellen being begged by a fan not to let Gandalf wear "pointy boots."
But this isn't a movie guide: There are plenty of books that detail the movies. And so the editors switch tracks to include character bios, a humorous "travel guide" to Middle Earth, as well as one to New Zealand's "Rings" landmarks. Finally, there's a mixed condemnation/ad for various Tolkien merchandise, and even a subchapter about the history of "Lord of the Rings" and rock music. Obviously there's Marc Bolan and Led Zeppelin, but also Marillion (originally "Silmarillion") and various mediocre metal bands. What IS it about metal bands and Tolkien?
Overall, this is a good little book, packed full of good information and useful trivia bits. There are some "dead" moments in this book, where it seems like filler sidenotes have been included. I mean, really, what is up with that essay on "Lord of the Rings" and old westerns? But fortunately, they tend to informative more often than not.
"The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings" is an excellent read for people who want to get a handle on the history and substance of the movies, the books, or both. Definitely a good read.
A guide to the movie - NOT the book.......2004-08-06
This is an overlong publicity book for the Lord of the Rings films, full of detailed chatter about the films and their making, and about Tolkien collectibles. As such, it's not bad. As a guide to Tolkien's book, however, it's another matter. The opening chapters on Tolkien and his work are actually pretty well-written and accurate. But even they are loaded with movie photos; and a chapter on the characters mixes facts from the book and films indiscriminately. A geography-ethnography chapter approaches David Day levels of plonky erroneousness. Most offensive is page 102, a list of parts of the book deemed skippable, especially any poetry that might hold up the action. If you want action, see the movie. A guide to the book should be written by someone capable of appreciating it.
Excellant little pocket LOTR 's book.......2004-06-18
Don't let the size fool you, it is filled with tons of goodies and very interesting things regarding Lord of the Rings, kind of small type but readable, it is a book that any Tolkien lover needs to have in their library. Very enjoyable, a must!
A great all round trivia book for LOTR fans.......2004-06-10
I must admit I was apprehensive about buying this book sight unseen. So I went to my local Borders and boy am I glad I did. This well thought out guide tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the books, movies, memorabilia for sale, authors who have been inspired by Tolkien, even Tolkien himself. There is all kinds of LOTR trilogy trivia to make even the most grumpy dwarf smile. The front, back and inside covers are beautiful color photographs from the films. My only quibble is that even though the book is packed with photographs from the trilogy, they are all in black and white. I highly recommend this book to loyal LOTR fans everywhere.
Average customer rating:
|
Rough Guide Lord of the Rings Stockpack
Manufacturer: Rough Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
ASIN: 1843532808 |
Average customer rating:
|
The Almain in Britain, C. 1549-C. 1675: A Dance Manual from Manuscript Sources
Ian Payne
Manufacturer: Ashgate Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Baroque
| Schools, Periods & Styles
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Folk
| Dance
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Dance
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Arts & Photography
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Entertainment
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0859679659 |
Book Description
Mary Schaeffer is considered an industry expert and writes a newsletter that focuses on credit, collections, and accounts receivable.
* Provides an overview of the credit, collections, and accounts receivable functions for senior level managers.
* Provides tips and techniques as well as case studies.
* Shows how to stream line the credit process and how to make this area as efficient as possible.
Books:
- The Earliest English Kings
- The Empress of Farewells: The Story of Charlotte, Empress of Mexico
- The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian
- The End of the House of Lancaster
- The First Lady Diana: The Life of Lady Diana Spencer, 1710-1735
- The Home Place: Life in Rural Prince Edward Island in the 1920s and 30s
- The Jahangirnama: Memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India
- The Life and Reign of King Edward the Sixth
- The Murder of Princess Diana
- The Nearly Departed: Or, My Family & Other Foreigners
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Fodor's Italy 2007
- Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology
- Heartbreak Hotel
- Crystal Soldier
- Four Plays by Aristophanes: The Birds; The Clouds; The Frogs; Lysistrata
- Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance
- Ecological Imperialism: The Biological Expansion of Europe, 9001900
- Confessions of an Enron Executive: A Whistleblower's Story
- Economic Decline and Nationalism in the Balkans
- Cellular and molecular aspects of floral induction: Proceedings of a symposium, Liege, Belgium, 4-8
The Duchess Of Windsor: The Uncommon Life of Wallis Simpson
Edward & Mrs. Simpson
The Women of Windsor: Their Power, Privilege, and Passions
King Edward VIII: A Life
Duchess of Windsor
