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Wallis and Edward, Letters:1931-37: The Intimate Correspondence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
When Wallis & Edward was first published in 1986, weeks after the death of the Duchess of Windsor, it caused a this was the story the world had been waiting for. For the first time, the story of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII was revealed in their own words. Michael Bloch's edition of their intimate correspondence takes us from the moment they met in 1931 up to their marriage in 1937, and includes Wallis Simpson's diary of their affair in form of her weekly letters to her aunt in Washington. It sheds a wealth of fascinating new light on 'the greatest love story of the century' and the mysteries of King Edward's abdication.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 7, 2018
You'll never meet two sillier people than Wallis and Edward. In fact, Edward makes Wallis seem like Isaac Newton. In fact, the UK really dodged a bullet when he abdicated. It's the 1930's and Wallis is kvetching about her trouble with servants and the difficulty of getting discounts and the haute couture designer Mainbocher. No sooner are they married and they are visiting Herr Hitler. This did fill out the details of the abdication and the impact it had on Britain. It also explained that Wallis did earnestly try to remove herself and convince Edward/David not to abdicate. Ah, but Cupid had other ideas. They were made for each other.
March 31, 2010
Consisting of many letters written by Wallis Simpson to her Aunt Bessie while Wallis was living in London with her second husband, Ernest Simpson, this book gives a fascinating peek into Wallis' everyday life before she met the (then) Prince of Wales. The letters could be from any lady of her class and social position at that time, but the fact that it's Wallis makes them even more interesting. She becomes "Wallis in Wonderland" as the Simpsons' social life brings them more and more into contact (and friendship) with the Prince of Wales and his circle. Wallis knew a lot of interesting people herself, and started trends, such as cocktail parties (mixing the drinks herself - with ice)that were then novel and became all the rage. I love the descriptions of the parties she attends soon and hosts, the task of running her household in ever-increasing hard times, etc. After she and the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) become good friends, many letters and notes they wrote to each other are also included. The book is well edited by Mr. Bloch and has well-chosen footnotes. I re-read it usually one or two times a year - at least.
December 9, 2019
The book is comprised of previously unseen letters that mostly passed between Wallis Simpson and Edward, whom she calls David. They cover the time from their first meeting up until they get together in France for their marriage and the editor provides a lot of context as the book progresses.
Wallis has to be one of the most self centered, acquisitive, spongers in history. Always worried about what the papers are saying about her, she is constantly poor mouthing and berating her servants. Her letters home to her Aunt Bessie are full of requests for money for new clothes, trips or dinner parties. If she ever did anything for anyone besides herself, it was never mentioned.
Edward was clearly a victim of arrested development. He was looking for a surrogate mother and the letters back and forth are full of made up language and a type of baby talk. He, too, was only interested in himself, and even managed to bad mouth those who let him stay for months rent free. It’s probably a good thing he abdicated. Neither one of them was suited for the job or seemed to have much common sense.
Wallis has to be one of the most self centered, acquisitive, spongers in history. Always worried about what the papers are saying about her, she is constantly poor mouthing and berating her servants. Her letters home to her Aunt Bessie are full of requests for money for new clothes, trips or dinner parties. If she ever did anything for anyone besides herself, it was never mentioned.
Edward was clearly a victim of arrested development. He was looking for a surrogate mother and the letters back and forth are full of made up language and a type of baby talk. He, too, was only interested in himself, and even managed to bad mouth those who let him stay for months rent free. It’s probably a good thing he abdicated. Neither one of them was suited for the job or seemed to have much common sense.
February 2, 2023
This correspondence opens a new window on the doings and wrongdoings of those around David and Wallis. Damned if they did: damned if they didn't. My heart goes out to Wallis and her king. Heartbreakingly beautifully in love.
December 8, 2012
This sure cast a more accurate light on the Duchess of Windsor. Apparently she wanted these letters published after her death so people wouldn't continue to see her in a negative light. However, I'm not sure how she thought she would be portrayed with these, because she comes across as a money hungry ogre. There has been so much controversy surrounding the relationship between her and the Duke of Windsor, and this cleared things up for me. She came across as strong, sharp, quick, calculating, and whiny. Almost every single letter in the beginning of this book whined about money and I felt so bad for her Aunt. After she won the heart of the Edward, those complaints stopped. She didn't seem to whine when she was married to Ernest and the 'mistress' of Edward- this was because she had the comforts of a loyal husband to fall back on if Edward threw her to the side. When divorce proceedings began, and marriage to Edward finally came to a full discussion, her whining picked up again. Did she really love the Duke if Windsor?? I'm not sure. She was a loyal wife to him until his death...but was that because she was trapped?? So much of this story will always be a mystery and it will continue to suck me in!
January 13, 2015
A collection of unique, somewhat peculiar letters written by Edward Windsor and Wallis Simpson during their infamous courtship. The full details of their behavior and their romantic situation are not investigated in the brief texts that explain the events that surround these letters but OH THESE LETTERS.
The Edward/Wallis letters are fascinating for the baby-talk in which they were expressed-- more than a little excessive for two lovers in their 40s.
The Wallis letters to her Aunt Bessie are fascinating for the way they mix historic/biographical events with demands for shoes, gowns, and butter molds.
I would begin to feel a little bit of sympathy for the legal complexities and delays involved in Wallis' divorce-- but then, in the middle of her and Edward's understandable impatience, one or another of the two would express something childish or petty or immensely self-serving, and I would be smacking my forehead over it.
In other words: a delicious gossipy read.
The Edward/Wallis letters are fascinating for the baby-talk in which they were expressed-- more than a little excessive for two lovers in their 40s.
The Wallis letters to her Aunt Bessie are fascinating for the way they mix historic/biographical events with demands for shoes, gowns, and butter molds.
I would begin to feel a little bit of sympathy for the legal complexities and delays involved in Wallis' divorce-- but then, in the middle of her and Edward's understandable impatience, one or another of the two would express something childish or petty or immensely self-serving, and I would be smacking my forehead over it.
In other words: a delicious gossipy read.
March 15, 2014
I read this because of a scene with the Prince of Wales in Downton Abbey, so I got curious about this king that abdicated his throne and found there wasn't a lot out there about him. I had to order this used hard cover book to find out a bit more about this love story. And it is mundane and beautiful, ordinary and completely surreal. I really liked how they set the stage with the letters Wallis writes home leading up to meeting Edward (David) and then how the letters slowly shift in tone and then the letters they write to each other. The narrator who draws some connections between the letters and gives some historical context is great, but the letters are just sort of fascinating - what a great view into the lives of the upper middle class aristocracy. I plan to read more about this couple - just ordered a book about the later years of the Duchess of Windsor.
August 15, 2010
Their letters before, during, and after his abducation until their marriage.
February 26, 2011
Wow. They wrote really dopey letters to each other.
January 14, 2019
Excellent read. For those interested in the subject, you will not be able to put it down.
May 5, 2024
The story that created a sensation in the 1930s is superbly told through the letters plus extracts from the pair's later memoirs, the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, and the American society lady and later divorcee, Wallis Warfield Simpson, whose love affair cost the latter his throne in 1937.
Michael Bloch tells the story sympathetically and where necessary he fills in historical background or important relevant events in between the correspondence as well as an introductory background of Wallis' life prior to coming into contact with the then Prince of Wales. And it is her Aunt Bessie in America, with whom she corresponds copiously during the period under review, who is the first recipient of one of her letters. That letter begins on 8 January 1931 which is two days before Wallis is to meet HRH, which she fatefully did on 10 January at Burrough Court, Lady Furness's country house at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Fortunately Wallis suspended the letter after the eighth and continued it on 13 January when HRH merits only a brief mention as being one of the party that met there. However, in her much later memoirs (and with the benefit of hindsight) Wallis mentions she found David (as HRH was known) 'surprisingly small' but stated 'how enchanting she found his utter naturalness and his joie de vivre'. She did also mention how she and husband Ernest Simpson felt 'thoroughly out of place as the strangers among a large aristocratic company'. And that was the seemingly innocuous first meeting between the pair; much was to develop thereafter!
Occasional meetings at different venues occurred, so much so that as time passed she and Ernest became members of David's inner circle. And it is noticeable from the letters to Aunt Bessie that rather than feel out of place Wallis eventually thoroughly enjoyed the connection, although to be fair there is initially no mention of any attraction. But as the relationship grew David began to go our of his way to see more of Wallis and this in spite of Ernest being around some of the time (he was away on business quite often). And Ernest at first delighted in his wife being a close friend of David as it opened doors for the two of them to receive many invites to house parties and the like.
Slowly but surely Wallis is waxing lyrical about the Prince to Aunt Bessie and then when he begins to send her personal notes, in fairness without making any suggestions, the friendship began to blossom. And as is well known, it certainly did and the letters and billets-doux became more tender until it was obvious that there was a full-blown love affair developing.
To make matters somewhat easier for Wallis in this friendship, Ernest began a series of affairs culminating in one serious one that finally put the cat among the pigeons. By then Wallis and the Prince had developed their own language to express their feelings and David began to tell her how marriage was the only way he would feel fulfilled.
In fairness to Wallis she realised that this would cause consternation around the country and particularly with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, his ministers and other Commonwealth heads of state. So, despite it being upsetting to her and not really what she wanted, she tried her hardest to persuade David, who by that time had become Edward VIII that the best way forward to prevent an almighty showdown was for her to disappear so that he could carry on as King.
But Edward (who we should now call him) would have none of it and the outcome was the abdication and their residence in Paris, once Wallis' divorce had gone through and they could meet again.
Excellently told, 'Wallis and Edward' captures a pivotal time, told mainly by the participants themselves, in the history of the British Royal family.
Michael Bloch tells the story sympathetically and where necessary he fills in historical background or important relevant events in between the correspondence as well as an introductory background of Wallis' life prior to coming into contact with the then Prince of Wales. And it is her Aunt Bessie in America, with whom she corresponds copiously during the period under review, who is the first recipient of one of her letters. That letter begins on 8 January 1931 which is two days before Wallis is to meet HRH, which she fatefully did on 10 January at Burrough Court, Lady Furness's country house at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Fortunately Wallis suspended the letter after the eighth and continued it on 13 January when HRH merits only a brief mention as being one of the party that met there. However, in her much later memoirs (and with the benefit of hindsight) Wallis mentions she found David (as HRH was known) 'surprisingly small' but stated 'how enchanting she found his utter naturalness and his joie de vivre'. She did also mention how she and husband Ernest Simpson felt 'thoroughly out of place as the strangers among a large aristocratic company'. And that was the seemingly innocuous first meeting between the pair; much was to develop thereafter!
Occasional meetings at different venues occurred, so much so that as time passed she and Ernest became members of David's inner circle. And it is noticeable from the letters to Aunt Bessie that rather than feel out of place Wallis eventually thoroughly enjoyed the connection, although to be fair there is initially no mention of any attraction. But as the relationship grew David began to go our of his way to see more of Wallis and this in spite of Ernest being around some of the time (he was away on business quite often). And Ernest at first delighted in his wife being a close friend of David as it opened doors for the two of them to receive many invites to house parties and the like.
Slowly but surely Wallis is waxing lyrical about the Prince to Aunt Bessie and then when he begins to send her personal notes, in fairness without making any suggestions, the friendship began to blossom. And as is well known, it certainly did and the letters and billets-doux became more tender until it was obvious that there was a full-blown love affair developing.
To make matters somewhat easier for Wallis in this friendship, Ernest began a series of affairs culminating in one serious one that finally put the cat among the pigeons. By then Wallis and the Prince had developed their own language to express their feelings and David began to tell her how marriage was the only way he would feel fulfilled.
In fairness to Wallis she realised that this would cause consternation around the country and particularly with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, his ministers and other Commonwealth heads of state. So, despite it being upsetting to her and not really what she wanted, she tried her hardest to persuade David, who by that time had become Edward VIII that the best way forward to prevent an almighty showdown was for her to disappear so that he could carry on as King.
But Edward (who we should now call him) would have none of it and the outcome was the abdication and their residence in Paris, once Wallis' divorce had gone through and they could meet again.
Excellently told, 'Wallis and Edward' captures a pivotal time, told mainly by the participants themselves, in the history of the British Royal family.
September 29, 2022
I never thought I'd encounter anyone more vapid, aggrieved, and self-absorbed in the BRF than Edward and his paramour Wallis, who so richly deserved each other. Then Harry hooked up with Meghan Markle.
If you want to learn more about how truly disturbing the "WE" relationship was, read their correspondence edited by Michael Bloch. It’s full of the most revolting baby talk and put me off ever reading any more of Bloch’s other million or two books abt them.
If you can stand any more after that sample, the book is $2. And that’s without even considering their loathsome fascistic Nazi-loving politics.
Their letters prove how stunted emotionally Edward was and how opportunistic Wallis was. Then they were sentenced to a lifetime together and Britain was saved from these Nazi sympathizers.
If you want to learn more about how truly disturbing the "WE" relationship was, read their correspondence edited by Michael Bloch. It’s full of the most revolting baby talk and put me off ever reading any more of Bloch’s other million or two books abt them.
These three gardenias are eanum but they say enormous ooh and that a boy loves a girl more and more and is holding her so tight these trying days of waiting.
If you can stand any more after that sample, the book is $2. And that’s without even considering their loathsome fascistic Nazi-loving politics.
Their letters prove how stunted emotionally Edward was and how opportunistic Wallis was. Then they were sentenced to a lifetime together and Britain was saved from these Nazi sympathizers.
August 7, 2020
This wasn't an easy rating for me. I enjoy Royal biographies but this one has been on my shelf for years. I've picked it up twice in the past and DNF'd it out of boredom. I decided this time I was going to finish. The beginning section when Wallis was writing to Aunt Bessie as a housewife was the most interesting part for me and I enjoyed reading those letters. However, once Wallis & David became an item the interest went out the window and reading their letters became a slog. I finished it--but if I were re-reading again I would probably DNF well before the abdication.
September 25, 2025
As a historical document , as the inside story of their love and personalities , its a very remarkable book. I really enjoyed it mostly the minutiae of upper class life at he time. If prince Harry complains about privacy and press intrusion he has no idea what he is talking about when you compare what Wallis went through. As people and what they did , yes I can see selfishness and egoism , but they are products of their time and class and upbringing. Was very sad near the end when poor slipper was bitten by an adder. Great read , fascinating period in History.
March 5, 2025
These are the letters of perhaps one of the most famous couples of the twentieth century: the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The letters in the first half of the book are mainly from Wallis to her Aunt Bessie. It's very interesting to watch the progression of events, from Wallis's first meeting with her future husband to the urgency of the Abdication. It's fascinating stuff and well worth anyone's time and effort to read it.
May 7, 2019
A fascinating read!
September 19, 2022
#105 of 120 books pledged to read during 2022
November 19, 2022
As I have been reading Bowens Royal Spyness series, when I was working at a library book sale I saw this book and sat down to read it. Sadly fascinating.
January 2, 2023
Enjoyed reading this book after reading The Woman Before Wallis.
Well put together and gives insight from the correspondence between them.
Well put together and gives insight from the correspondence between them.
August 6, 2024
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would! There's a lot of editorial filling-in, in between the actual letters, but I didn't mind because frankly, I would not have been able to put myself in Wallis's shoes, or imagine what the times were like. Gosh, they were both just so vapid and shallow... This book was very easy and quick to read, but I was glad when it was over.
March 21, 2017
Great piece of romantic history. At times a little uncomfortable/invasive to read!
November 27, 2020
"The king sent his plane for all my things...I also filled it with langoustines for him"
Read
February 13, 2017Something about people sharing their lives freely, knowing that no one but the person they are writing to will ever read it, is so much more interesting than their subsequent autobiographies or memoirs. Even the most mundane things such as the popular cooking recipes in 1930s Great Britain (I had to look up the word "pop-over rings" to learn that's what "muffins" used to be made in), the popular shades of silk stockings (better quality in the US!), the proper way and season to clean drapes in the foggy London climate - all of it was a treasure for such history junkie like myself.
I can't really rate this collection of Wallis' letters to her family and husband-to-be for obvious reasons but I highly recommend it to anyone interested in lives of people in the US and Europe in 1930s.
I can't really rate this collection of Wallis' letters to her family and husband-to-be for obvious reasons but I highly recommend it to anyone interested in lives of people in the US and Europe in 1930s.
July 14, 2014
This was the first reading I've ever done on this liaison powerful enough to cause a King to give up his kingdom, and unfortunately, I was not able to glean much insight into the plot or the characters from the letters of Wallis. They were largely matter-of-fact, expressed little opinion, and revealed very little of the inner workings of Wallis. The same goes for the Edward's letters. Perhaps this book would serve as a good companion to some larger biographical tome.
August 26, 2012
This was a very interesting book of letters written by Wallis Simpson to her aunt, but also contains letters written between her and her future husband Edward, Prince of Wales, from their first meeting until several weeks before their wedding. There is also information interspersed between the letters that is from their separate memoirs, as well. Fascinating.
January 20, 2014
One feels she got to know the Duchess better by reading her letters. One also sees what a puppy dog the Duke was. After reading so much about them, I see they were quite well matched: "...the Prince yearned for ... a mother's sympathetic attentions..." and, as for the Southern-born Wallis, "she had been taught to cherish and look after her man." I loved this book.
February 24, 2014
Curious, fascinating and tedious all at the same time. This book provided insight into the progression of the romance between Wallis Simpson and Edward, Prince of Wales. Wallis Simpson certainly presented herself as a whining social climber who appeared to have only one destination in mind for herself. I hope they were happy together.
May 31, 2014
I've read so much about this couple. This is not really going to be a review because I'm pressed for time right now. However, I'll say that this book was probably written for people who already have a lot of background info on Wallis Simpson & Edward. That has no effect on my rating this 4 stars, though.
February 19, 2013
By turns fascinating and boring, this is certainly a unique perspective on the abdication of Edward VIII. The ending leaves much to be desired, however, as it gives no information on the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Literally...not a detail to be had.
November 26, 2013
Best. Love story. Ever.
Edward gave up everything for the woman he loved- back in this time it was unheard of that British royalty would give up the throne to marry a woman (an American divorcee none the less) because he was in love with her.
Edward gave up everything for the woman he loved- back in this time it was unheard of that British royalty would give up the throne to marry a woman (an American divorcee none the less) because he was in love with her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews