NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Perfect for fans of The Crown, this magisterial biography of Queen Elizabeth II is a close-up view of the woman we’ve known only from a distance—and a captivating window into the last great monarchy.From the moment of her ascension to the throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five, Queen Elizabeth II has been the object of unparalleled scrutiny. But through the fog of … unparalleled scrutiny. But through the fog of glamour and gossip, how well do we really know the world’s most famous monarch? Drawing on numerous interviews and never-before-revealed documents, acclaimed biographer Sally Bedell Smith pulls back the curtain to show in intimate detail the public and private lives of Queen Elizabeth II, who has led her country and Commonwealth through the wars and upheavals of the last sixty years with unparalleled composure, intelligence, and grace.
In Elizabeth the Queen, we meet the young girl who suddenly becomes “heiress presumptive” when her uncle abdicates the throne. We meet the thirteen-year-old Lilibet as she falls in love with a young navy cadet named Philip and becomes determined to marry him, even though her parents prefer wealthier English aristocrats. We see the teenage Lilibet repairing army trucks during World War II and standing with Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on V-E Day. We see the young Queen struggling to balance the demands of her job with her role as the mother of two young children. Sally Bedell Smith brings us inside the palace doors and into the Queen’s daily routines—the “red boxes” of documents she reviews each day, the weekly meetings she has had with twelve prime ministers, her physically demanding tours abroad, and the constant scrutiny of the press—as well as her personal relationships: with Prince Philip, her husband of sixty-four years and the love of her life; her children and their often-disastrous marriages; her grandchildren and friends.
Praise for Elizabeth the Queen
“An excellent, all-embracing new biography.”—The New York Times
“[An] imposing, yet nimbly written, biography [that] dwarfs the field . . . a most satisfying and enjoyable read, one to be savored at length.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Fascinating . . . After sixty years on the throne, the monarch of Britain is better known for her poker face than for sly wit or easy charm. Yet in biographer Sally Bedell Smith’s Elizabeth the Queen, Her Majesty sparkles with both.”—More
“[A] smart and satisfying book.”—Los Angeles Times
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She was so young, and the task was so enormous. Yet with grace and a determination to do her duty come what may—and so much has indeed come—Elizabeth II studiously made herself part of the fabric of global civilization in the most tumultuous of times. This is a terrific book about a fascinating figure.
I’ve read a lot of books about Elizabeth II; this one had information I did not know. Very enjoyable.
Beginning with her girlhood years as Princess Elizabeth of York and following her and the rest of the royal family up through the Trooping the Colour parade in June 2011, this is an in-depth rendering of the day-to-day and year-to-year life of the Queen. I admit to being a bit surprised by the volume of work the Queen does. Keeping up with all …
A thorough and comprehensive review of the life of Queen Elizabeth II. I really enjoyed getting a detailed glimpse into the world of the Royal Family. Smith has well researched her subject with insights from key contacts within the royal circle. I have a keener understanding and appreciation for the esteemed monarch.
Great bio of the queen and family.
I read regularly and this is the only book I’ve read where I had to look up the meaning of several words. Maybe it’s because I’m American instead of British, but I feel this author likes to use “big words” where other words would suffice.
If you are curious about the Queen of England you will really enjoy this book.
Balanced look at Queen Elizabeth and family. I’d love to meet her
Have enjoyed reading about the UK’s royal family and discovering how very normal they are despite their wealth and position like the time they hid under the table so not to disturb President Eisenhower’s tour of the palace.
It is an excellent book to read. It is informative.
She’s a hell of a woman!
Explains the life of a little princess who became a young queen, through the loss of her beloved father. It’s touching how close she was to her mum, and to her sister though in a more maternal way. Not your average mother, but royalty is a totally different “normal”. She could at times be very down to earth, but she was born and breed to the …
Well researched . Very detailed and interesting book about the Queen.
Very well written, but an entertaining read. It really brings her to life.