The Queen: History in an Hour: Master British Royal History and the Life of Elizabeth II Fast

History In An Hour

by Sinead Fitzgibbon

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.

Elizabeth II is the longest lived and, after Queen Victoria, second longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. From her coronation in 1953 to her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II has stood on the world stage as the figurehead for Britain.

The History in an Hour tells the story of the Queen Elizabeth II’s life and long reign, her royal duties, service during the Second World War, public perception and the transformation of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations under her rule. In the Diamond Jubilee year this is essential reading for Royalists and Republicans alike.

Know your read about Queen Elizabeth II in just one hour.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Royalty, Audiobook

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2012

About the author

Sinead Fitzgibbon graduated from university with a degree in Economics, before leaving her native Ireland to work in investment banking in Sydney for six years.

She returned to the UK in 2007 to pursue her writing career. She has always loved history, literature and art – and spends most weekends browsing London’s multitude of museums, art galleries and bookshops.

Favourite author: Virginia Woolf
Favourite book: Mrs Dalloway
Favourite artist: Caravaggio
Favourite place: Victoria & Albert Museum
Favourite food: Chocolate
Favourite quote: "You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace." - Frank Mc Court, Angela's Ashes

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sinead Fitzgibbon describes Queen Elizabeth II's life, the longest-lived queen of the United Kingdom, in this book. The services she did for England during the Second World War at a young age are discussed here. No one from England will forget her first radio broadcast at the age of 14 years in which she said,

"We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers, and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end, all will be well."

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short History 101 about Queen Elizabeth's reign.
Nice and well written.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books on royalty over the years but the current monarchy has never really interested me, probably as its generally current news more than in the past and my heart lies in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries... But that said I downloaded this as it was free and I do like the "History in an Hour" series and I must say having read this one now I wasn't disappointed. I even found out something I didn't know about Prince Philip when he was a baby and his parents exile. The book gives a general overview of her life and for an hour as it says on the cover this is just fine as a taster on its subject.

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Postać brytyjskiej królowej Elżbiety II jest naprawdę barwna. To nieprawdopodobne iż do dnia dzisiejszego jest aktywna i spełnia swoje obowiązki, które są mimo wszystko dość wymagające. Została królową w dość nieoczekiwany sposób w wieku 27 lat. Pełni tą funkcje do dziś, ma na dzień dzisiejszy 94 lata. Niesamowite.
Rola królowej w dzisiejszej polityce mogłaby się wydawać dość marginalna. Co prawda królowa nie bierze aktywny udział w polityce, jednak ma szereg dość istotnych uprawnień. Ma dostęp do ściśle tajnych informacji służb specjalnych. Ma prawo regularnie zapraszać do siebie premiera a ten musi regularnie jej raportować o stanie rzeczy w państwie. Co prawda mogłoby by się wydawać, iż to niewiele, jednak, królowa ma jednak wpływ na czołowych polityków, za kulisami, lub też publicznie, wtedy kiedy przemawia do narodu.
Elżbieta II dość skrupulatnie i z wielką odpowiedzialnością podeszła do zadań królewskich od samego początku. Stworzyła rutynowe procedury, gdzie otrzymuje regularnie raporty o państwie. Każdy premier, który za jej panowania rządił raportuje jej o swojej pracy i prowadzonej polityce. Nawet dzisiaj jeszcze tak jest.
W książce dowiemy się też sporo faktów o życiu rodzinnym Elżbiety II. To bardzo fascynujący fragment tej pozycji. Ciekawe było to jak zmusiła swojego męża do zmiany nazwiska, czego bardzo nie chciał. Książe Filip mocno obraził się na swoją żonę kiedy dowiedział się, że został zmuszony do przyjęcia nazwiska małżonki. Z drugiej strony jednak nie wypada aby królowa pozbyła się swojego nazwiska rodowego.
Elżbieta II wiele razy podczas swojego panowania musiała uporać się ze skandalami wokół rodziny królewskiej, nie tylko obyczajowymi, ale również finansowymi. Sentyment republikański jest mocny w społeczeństwie brytyjskim i królowa Elżbieta II kilka razy musiała swoją postawą przekonywać obywateli brytyjskich do tego iż jej obywatele są godni posiadania królowej i że ona jest godna jej powierzonej roli monarchy Wielkie Brytanii. Dotychczas Elżbieta II świetnie radziła sobie na tronie. Jej następca nie będzie miał łatwego zadania.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant and steadfast presence, guiding her subjects through stormy waters in her own inimitably dignified way.”

Spend an hour refreshing your memory about the life of Elizabeth II, and learning a few new things along the way, in this nicely written book that explores her life decade by decade… starting with the Princess born third in line to the throne, who no one thought would ever be Queen, and following her life through the unexpected twists and turns.

This book highlights how she and her husband navigated a challenging marital situation, giving each a place of strength and leadership, allowing them a remarkable sense of equality and creating an environment that seems to have served their love well for decades.

It also points out when the cracks began to form, and deepen, in Elizabeth’s relationship with her sister Margaret.

[William O. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Well-written and concise in telling the story of how Elizabeth became a queen. Although I knew beforehand many of the circumstances of how she rose to be an heir in a somewhat unusual way, it was a good review of how this came about with the marriage of her uncle, King Edward VIII to Wallis Simpson, thus his abdication. This allowed Edward VIII brother (David), George VI to become king whereupon when he died (1952), Elizabeth his daughter became queen since George did not have a son upon his death.

[Shayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good for its intended purpose: I learned more about Queen Elizabeth II in a short period of time without too much time commitment although it wasn't particularly engaging. I will probably read more of the history in an hour books to become acquainted with historical events I should know more about.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was part of a series called "History in an Hour" and understandably is a very quick, abridged look at the life of Queen Elizabeth II. For all of its brevity, I think it was well done and interesting.

I would be interested in reading their other offerings. I think they would provide a good jumping off point for historical studies.

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

סקירה היסטורית של חייה של המלכה אליזבת' השנייה עד לשנת 2012 - הדיימונד ג'ובילי של מלכותה. כמעריצה של המלכה, זו היתה סקירה קצת שטחית עבורי, למרות שכן היו בה פרטים שהיו חדשים לי.

[Tara Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm impressed by how much information was included in such a concise book. I found this book interesting and relevant.

[Lovisa ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badass brud

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, interesting read and now I really can't wait for the third season of The Crown.

[Callum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read but missing more information.

Whilst I understand that it's hard to fit in all relevant information into a book, which can be read in an hour, I did feel that it was more glossed over than other books of its kind.

[Thordur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Great info.

[Anna Orlak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very superficial but what else can you expect from a 1-hour biography. It can be a good starting point for a more comprehensive studies of the Queen's life and work.

[Laila Younes · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting and light read, however, it is very biased to the Queen.

[Sinead Gately · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read, exploring the past of the Queen and her journey to the throne.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and easy to read

Having just finished watching the Netflix series, The Crown, I wanted to read more about the queen. I also visited the UK and went to Buckingham and Balmoral palaces recently. I can't imagine how difficult her life has been always having to put the UK first. I admire her strength and courage. The book was easy to read and hit the main points without getting bogged down.

[Ian May · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting if concise read (but then it is only meant to last an hour).

The book concentrated more on her earlier life.

[Kate Diffley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed, easy read.

[Yi Lun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and concise view of the current Monarch. It starts with some family information pre-birth and details the major moments of her life with a heavier focus on her early life.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yup, history in an hour.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't ask me why I read this. Just. Don't.