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History In An Hour

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

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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.

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2012

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About the author

Sinead Fitzgibbon

7 books23 followers
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

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5 stars
48 (25%)
4 stars
86 (46%)
3 stars
43 (23%)
2 stars
6 (3%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill).
1,381 reviews3,705 followers
December 13, 2022
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."
Profile Image for Katy.
207 reviews15 followers
April 18, 2017
Short History 101 about Queen Elizabeth's reign.
Nice and well written.
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
5,723 reviews125 followers
December 23, 2013
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.
1,021 reviews4 followers
December 7, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Goddess of Chaos.
2,891 reviews12 followers
August 17, 2024
“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.
Profile Image for William O. Robertson.
271 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2023
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.
Profile Image for Shayla.
337 reviews30 followers
May 26, 2017
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.
Profile Image for Jenn.
481 reviews40 followers
December 31, 2018
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.
Profile Image for Racheli Zusiman.
2,052 reviews74 followers
June 17, 2017
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.
Profile Image for Tara Lynn.
278 reviews
December 25, 2018
I'm impressed by how much information was included in such a concise book. I found this book interesting and relevant.
Profile Image for Elisa.
173 reviews5 followers
July 31, 2019
This was a quick, interesting read and now I really can't wait for the third season of The Crown.
Profile Image for Callum.
7 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Anna Orlak.
83 reviews
September 11, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Sinead Gately.
29 reviews
February 5, 2020
A very interesting read, exploring the past of the Queen and her journey to the throne.
17 reviews
November 21, 2016
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.
Profile Image for Ian May.
43 reviews6 followers
June 21, 2012
An interesting if concise read (but then it is only meant to last an hour).

The book concentrated more on her earlier life.
Profile Image for Yi Lun.
43 reviews2 followers
November 2, 2015
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.
Profile Image for Titus Hjelm.
Author 18 books101 followers
July 31, 2014
Don't ask me why I read this. Just. Don't.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews